Song of Solomon 4:11
What does Song of Solomon 4:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 4:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 4:11 means
Her lips “drop as the honeycomb,” and “honey and milk” are under her tongue—images of sweetness, nourishment, and richness. A kiss and her speech alike are portrayed as delightful and wholesome. The scent of her garments is “like Lebanon,” evoking the cool, resinous freshness of cedar forests. Together, these images show a harmony of sweetness and purity: what comes from her mouth blesses, and what surrounds her refreshes. The emphasis is on abundance without cloying excess—sweetness that strengthens rather than sickens. The husband finds in her both pleasure and rest, a fitting prelude to describing her as a private garden, a wellspring of guarded, life-giving delights.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thy lips, O mybride, drop asthe honeycomb: Honey and milk are under thy tongue; And the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thy lips, O mybride, drop asthe honeycomb: Honey and milk are under thy tongue; And the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Your lips are dropping honey; honey and milk are under your tongue; and the smell of your clothing is like the smell of Lebanon.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thy lips drop honey, O spouse, Honey and milk <FI>are<Fi> under thy tongue, And the fragrance of thy garments <FI>Is<Fi> as the fragrance of Lebanon.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thy lips, my spouse, are as a dropping honeycomb, honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments, as the smell of frankincense.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thy lips, [my] spouse, drop [as] the honeycomb; Honey and milk are under thy tongue; And the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
Context
This verse completes the sensory praise that began in verse 10: taste and smell join sight and touch in a tapestry of delight. With these images established, the poem will pivot in verse 12 to the metaphor of a sealed garden and fountain, introducing themes of exclusivity and faithful intimacy. The flow guides the reader from the experience of delight to its God-intended context—protected, personal, and committed—before listing the variety of fruits and spices in verses 13–14 and the living waters in verse 15.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Song of Solomon 4:3
Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, And thy mouth is comely. Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate Behind thy veil.
- Hosea 14:2
Take with you words, and return unto Jehovah: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and accept that which is good: so will we render as bullocks the offering of our lips.
- Psalms 71:14
But I will hope continually, And will praise thee yet more and more.
- Song of Solomon 7:9
And thy mouth like the best wine, That goeth down smoothly for my beloved, Gliding through the lips of those that are asleep.
- Hosea 14:6
His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
- Isaiah 7:15
Butter and honey shall he eat, when he knoweth to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Song of Solomon 4
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Song of Solomon 4.