Song of Solomon 7:4

Admiration by the Bridegroom · Song of Solomon 7:1–13
Read Song of Solomon 7

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath–rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.
Literal
Your neck is like a tower of ivory. Your eyes are the pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-Rabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon, looking to the face of Damascus.
Latin
Collum tuum sicut turris eburnea; oculi tui sicut piscinæ in Hesebon quæ sunt in porta filiæ multitudinis. Nasus tuus sicut turris Libani, quæ respicit contra Damascum.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

  • pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim: The pools of Heshbon, created by a brook, are still visible today near the ruins of Heshbon on the east coast of the Dead Sea.

  • the tower of Lebanon likely refers to Mount Hermon, a tall mountain overlooking the valley of Damascus, the capital of Syria. The woman's nose stands out beautifully among her facial features.

  • The man praises the woman's dancing feet and then admires her body up to her flowing hair (Song of Solomon 7:1–5).

  • This daighter of the prince might not be from a royal family, but the man sees her as equal to royalty.

The young women of Jerusalem talk with the man, leading him to describe the woman's beauty and express his wish to hold her (see study note on Song of Solomon 4:1–5:1).

Theme notes and profiles

Human Sexuality

Places

Bath-rabbim: Gate in Heshbon, mentioned in Song of Solomon Damascus: Ancient city, capital of Syria, important in biblical history Heshbon: Amorite city conquered by Moses, allotted to Reuben Lebanon: A mountainous region known for its cedar trees

Glossary

Bath-Rabbim, Gate of Song of Solomon

Topics

Bath-Rabbim: A Gate in the City of Heshbon Fish: Ponds for in Heshbon Fishes: Inhabit: Ponds Fishpool: General Scriptures Concerning Heshbon: Fish Pools At Ivory: General Scriptures Concerning Lebanon: Tower of Pool of Jerusalem of Heshbon Towers: Lebanon Towers: The Grace and Dignity of the Church