Song of Solomon 1:10
What does Song of Solomon 1:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 1:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 1:10 means
He delights in how her cheeks, framed with carefully braided hair, and her neck, adorned with strings of jewels, display grace and poise. Beauty here is both natural and enhanced; adornment doesn’t create worth but highlights it. The attention to detail shows he truly sees her. The mention of hair and jewelry also fits the royal tone introduced already, indicating that she belongs in such a setting. His words do not reduce her to ornaments; rather, they honor the loveliness that adornment only accentuates.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thy cheeks are comely with plaits of hair, Thy neck with strings of jewels.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thy cheeks are comely with plaits of hair, Thy neck with strings of jewels.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Your face is a delight with rings of hair, your neck with chains of jewels.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Comely have been thy cheeks with garlands, Thy neck with chains.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752We will make thee chains of gold, inlaid with silver.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thy cheeks are comely with bead-rows, Thy neck with ornamental chains.
Context
This continues the beloved’s praise begun with the royal steed image. The focus narrows from an overall comparison to specific features made lovely by adornment. In the next verse, a plural voice promises further ornaments (verse 11), keeping the courtly scene in view. These layered compliments serve the chapter’s movement from vulnerability to affirmation, preparing for the woman’s response, where she will describe his presence as a fragrance that fills the room (verses 12–14).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 1:3
seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;
- Genesis 24:22
And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold,
- Genesis 41:42
And Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
- Ezekiel 16:11
And I decked thee with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.
- 1 Peter 3:4
but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
- Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
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