Song of Solomon 4:1
What does Song of Solomon 4:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 4:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 4:1 means
The bridegroom opens with doubled admiration, stressing how truly beautiful his beloved is. Calling her eyes “as doves” suggests gentleness, purity, and a tranquil spirit, and the mention of a veil hints at modesty and mystery. Comparing her hair to a flock of goats descending Mount Gilead evokes dark, flowing movement—beauty in motion, abundant and striking. The language is poetic, not literal; it uses familiar pastoral images to praise her with dignity and warmth. He is delighting in her person, not objectifying her. His gaze begins with her face, affirming that what first captivates him is her countenance—her presence—before anything else. His words are tender, careful, and honoring.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold, 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold, 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See, you are fair, my love, you are fair; you have the eyes of a dove; your hair is as a flock of goats, which take their rest on the side of Gilead.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Lo, thou <FI>art<Fi> fair, my friend, lo, thou <FI>art<Fi> fair, Thine eyes <FI>are<Fi> doves behind thy veil, Thy hair as a row of the goats That have shone from mount Gilead,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752How beautiful art thou, my love, how beautiful art thou! thy eyes are doves' eyes, besides what is hid within. Thy hair is as flocks of goats, which come up from mount Galaad.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thine eyes are doves behind thy veil; Thy hair is as a flock of goats, On the slopes of mount Gilead.
Context
This verse begins a sustained song of praise from the bridegroom to the bride, moving from head downward in an orderly celebration of her beauty. After the desire and seeking of earlier chapters, the focus here is on enjoyment within covenant love. The images are steeped in the land’s scenery, fitting a courtly-pastoral backdrop. Verses 2–5 continue the catalogue of features, while verses 6–7 will summarize with a claim of flawless beauty. The early focus on eyes and hair sets a tone of admiration that grows into deeper invitation and intimacy as the chapter progresses.
v.1This passage
v.2Thy teeth are like a flockof ewesthat arenewlyshorn, Which are come up from the washing, Whereof every one hath twins, And none is bereaved among them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
- Song of Solomon 5:11
His head isasthe most fine gold; His locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
- Micah 7:14
Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thy heritage, which dwell solitarily, in the forest in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
- Song of Solomon 4:9
Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, mybride; Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, With one chain of thy neck.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.
- Ezekiel 16:14
And thy renown went forth among the nations for thy beauty; for it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord Jehovah.
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