Keraia
Song of Solomon 5

Song of Solomon 5:12

The Bride and Her Beloved · Song of Solomon 5:1–16
Read Song of Solomon 5

Translations

Modern
His eyes are like doves beside the streams of water, bathed in milk and mounted like jewels.
Traditional
His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.
Literal
His eyes are like doves beside channels of waters, washed with milk, sitting beside a full pool.
Latin
Oculi ejus sicut columbæ super rivulos aquarum, quæ lacte sunt lotæ, et resident juxta fluenta plenissima.

Original

Hebrew
English
His eyes are like doves beside the streams of water, bathed in milk and mounted like jewels.

Notes

Song of Solomon 5:11–15

The woman describes the man as a statue made of gold, ivory, lapis lazuli, and marble pillars. This suggests he looks god-like, as ancient statues of deities used these precious materials (Exodus 32:1–4; 1 Kings 12:28; Daniel 2:32233; 3:1).

Song of Solomon 5:10–16

This detailed description of the lover in the Song highlights his value to the woman.

Song of Solomon 5:2–6:3

  • One verse earlier, the couple fully enjoys their intimate union. Now the woman feels the pain of separation. In the dramatic interpretation, the woman has been separated from the man twice before and has searched for him (Song of Solomon 1:4–7; 3:1–4). This last time, the separation occurs in her dreams—it is only a nightmare. Her dream seems to continue to Song of Solomon 6:3, given the natural flow of questions and answers between the woman and the young women of Jerusalem.

  • If the Song is a collection of poems, these poems explore love rather than recounting actual events. This poem reminds us that an intimate relationship is not always easy or perfectly satisfying.

Theme notes and profiles

Human Sexuality

Glossary

Perfume Pigeon Song of Solomon

Topics

Love to Christ: His Personal Excellence is Deserving of Precious Stones used for Setting in Seals and Rings Preciousness of Christ: Illustrated Rivers: Banks of Frequented by Doves The Dove of the Meekness of Christ The Dove: Frequents Streams and Rivers