Keraia
Song of Solomon 5

Song of Solomon 5:14

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

Translations

Modern
His arms are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is polished ivory bedecked with sapphires.
Traditional
His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
Literal
His hands are rods of gold, set with beryl; his belly is a plate of ivory, covered with sapphires;
Latin
Manus illius tornatiles, aureæ, plenæ hyacinthis. Venter ejus eburneus, distinctus sapphiris.

Original

Hebrew
English
His arms are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is polished ivory bedecked with sapphires.

Notes

Song of Solomon 5:14

  • The man's body is shown as beautiful and valuable.

  • Beryl is a green gemstone.

  • Sapphire is a blue gemstone.

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

Beryl Sapphire Song of Solomon

Topics

Beryl: A Precious Stone Gold used in the Arts: Into Ornaments Gold was Used for Rings Ivory: General Scriptures Concerning Love to Christ: His Personal Excellence is Deserving of Preciousness of Christ: Illustrated Rings of the Glory of Christ Rings: Made of Gold and Set with Precious Stones