Song of Solomon 4:5
What does Song of Solomon 4:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 4:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 4:5 means
Comparing her breasts to twin fawns among lilies conveys tenderness, symmetry, and youthful freshness. Fawns are gentle and easily startled; lilies suggest purity and fragrance. The picture is one of delicate beauty that invites careful, respectful approach. This is not a crude depiction, but a poetic celebration of marital intimacy as something soft, lovely, and life-affirming. The twin aspect underscores harmony; what is praised is not excess but balance and grace. The husband delights in his wife without shame or vulgarity, finding in her a source of comfort and joy that fits the garden-like, Edenic tone woven through the Song—a place where love is both pure and passionate.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thy two breasts are like two fawns That are twins of a roe, Which feed among the lilies.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thy two breasts are like two fawns That are twins of a roe, Which feed among the lilies.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Your two breasts are like two young roes of the same birth, which take their food among the lilies.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thy two breasts <FI>are<Fi> as two fawns, Twins of a roe, that are feeding among lilies.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thy two breasts like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thy two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, Which feed among the lilies.
Context
With verse 5 the poetry becomes more private. The groom’s praise has moved from the face and posture (verses 1–4) to the features associated with marital intimacy. This prepares for the transition in verse 6, where the language of myrrh and frankincense suggests approach and enjoyment. Yet the imagery remains gentle and reverent. The progression helps the reader see the Song as celebrating covenant intimacy without obscenity, leading naturally toward the affirmation of her flawless beauty in verse 7 and the invitation in verse 8.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Song of Solomon 1:13
My beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh, That lieth betwixt my breasts.
- Song of Solomon 8:10
I am a wall, and my breasts like the towersthereof Then was I in his eyes as one that found peace.
- Song of Solomon 7:3
Thy two breasts are like two fawns That are twins of a roe.
- Song of Solomon 8:1
Oh that thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breasts of my mother! WhenI should find thee without, I would kiss thee; Yea, and none would despise me.
- Proverbs 5:19
Asa loving hind and a pleasant doe, Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; And be thou ravished always with her love.
- 1 Peter 2:2
as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;
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