Song of Solomon 1:9

What does Song of Solomon 1:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Song of Solomon 1:9 means

He compares her to a steed among Pharaoh’s chariots—royal, strong, and breathtakingly beautiful. Such horses were prized for grace and power, splendidly adorned and trained for display. The image elevates her presence: she captivates and commands attention in the most exalted company. The compliment is daring and respectful at once, linking her to a symbol of nobility and vigor. Love sees the beloved not as ordinary but as strikingly excellent, fit to stand out in settings where only the finest appears.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I have compared thee, O my love, To a steed in Pharaoh’s chariots.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I have compared thee, O my love, To a steed in Pharaoh’s chariots.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I have made a comparison of you, O my love, to a horse in Pharaoh's carriages.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

To my joyous one in chariots of Pharaoh, I have compared thee, my friend,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Thy cheeks are beautiful as the turtledove's, thy neck as jewels.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I compare thee, my love, To a steed in Pharaoh's chariots.

Context

Having guided her steps, he now raises her stature through imagery of royal magnificence. Verses 9–11 form a unit of admiration that moves from comparison (verse 9) to description of her beauty with adornment (verse 10) and then to a promise to beautify her further (verse 11). This flow answers her earlier insecurity (verses 5–6) by replacing social shame with honor, and it readies the scene for her own sensory-rich praise in verses 12–14.

v.8If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.

v.9This passage

v.10Thy cheeks are comely with plaits of hair, Thy neck with strings of jewels.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Song of Solomon 4:7
Thou art all fair, my love; And there is no spot in thee.
2 Chronicles 1:14
And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
1 Kings 10:28
And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; and the king’s merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price.
Song of Solomon 6:4
Thou art fair, O my love, as Tirzah, Comely as Jerusalem, Terrible as an army with banners.
Song of Solomon 5:2
I was asleep, but my heart waked: It is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; For my head is filled with dew, My locks with the drops of the night.
Song of Solomon 4:1
Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thine eyes are as doves behind thy veil. Thy hair is as a flock of goats, That lie along the side of mount Gilead.

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