Song of Solomon 4:3
What does Song of Solomon 4:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 4:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 4:3 means
Scarlet-thread lips suggest graceful shape and lively color, but also measured, pleasing speech. Calling her mouth “comely” affirms that what she says and how she says it are lovely, not only how it looks. The temples like a slice of pomegranate, seen behind the veil, evoke a healthy, delicate blush—beauty modestly concealed yet evident. The veil maintains a sense of reverence; intimacy does not erase respect. The husband takes time to praise the parts often associated with words and expressions, valuing her voice and countenance. This moves beyond surface admiration, implying a relationship where her words are sweet, pure, and fitting, matching the freshness and life symbolized by pomegranate.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, And thy mouth is comely. Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate Behind thy veil.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, And thy mouth is comely. Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate Behind thy veil.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Your red lips are like a bright thread, and your mouth is fair of form; the sides of your head are like pomegranate fruit under your veil.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862As a thread of scarlet <FI>are<Fi> thy lips, And thy speech <FI>is<Fi> comely, As the work of the pomegranate <FI>is<Fi> thy temple behind thy veil,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thy lips are as a scarlet lace: and thy speech sweet. Thy cheeks are as a piece of a pomegranate, besides that which lieth hid within.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, And thy speech is comely; As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples Behind thy veil.
Context
Staying with the face, the groom honors speech and expression before turning to stature and form. Verse 3 bridges the facial features and the forthcoming praise of the neck (verse 4), preserving a sense of modesty and dignity (“behind thy veil”) even as intimacy grows. The sequence matters: admiration of voice and presence precedes praise of bodily form. Soon, the metaphors will become grander (tower, shields) and more intimate (fawns), so this verse helps keep the relationship grounded in respect and delight in the person as a whole.
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.
v.3This passage
v.4Thy neck is like the tower of David Builded for an armory, Whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, All the shields of the mighty men.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joshua 2:18
Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt gather unto thee into the house thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household.
- Leviticus 14:4
then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two living clean birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
- Luke 4:22
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
- Psalms 119:13
With my lips have I declared All the ordinances of thy mouth.
- Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.
- Hebrews 9:19
For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses unto all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
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