Song of Solomon 5:15

Translations

Modern

His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, as majestic as the cedars.

Traditional

His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

Literal

…his legs are pillars of marble, set on bases of pure gold; his appearance is like the Lebanon, being excellent like the cedars.

Latin

Crura illius columnæ marmoreæ quæ fundatæ sunt super bases aureas. Species ejus ut Libani, electus ut cedri.

Original

Hebrew

English

His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, as majestic as the cedars.

Notes

Song of Solomon 5:15

Lebanon is north of Israel and has famous cedar trees that are large, majestic, and have a pleasant fragrance.

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

Related verses

Revelation 1:15–16
His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.
1 Kings 4:33
He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.
Exodus 26:19
…with forty silver bases under the twenty frames—two bases for each frame, one under each tenon.
Song of Solomon 2:14
O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your countenance is lovely.
Song of Solomon 4:11
Your lips, my bride, drip sweetness like the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue, and the fragrance of your garments is like the aroma of Lebanon.
Matthew 17:2
There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
1 Timothy 3:16
By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.
Acts 2:28
You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.’
Hosea 14:7
They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.
Song of Solomon 7:4
Your neck is like a tower made of ivory; your eyes are like the pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim; your nose is like the tower of Lebanon, facing toward Damascus.
Psalm 92:12
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Matthew 28:3
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

Places

Lebanon: A mountainous region known for its cedar trees

Glossary

Song of Solomon

Topics

Love to Christ: His Personal Excellence is Deserving of Marble: Pillars of Pillars: Stability of Christ Preciousness of Christ: Illustrated The Cedar: Majesty, Strength, and Glory of Christ

Song of Solomon 5:15

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Places

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics