
Text -- The Song of Songs 4:1 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
These words are evidently spoken by the bridegroom.

Wesley: Sos 4:1 - -- Being clothed with my righteousness, and adorned with all the graces of my spirit.
Being clothed with my righteousness, and adorned with all the graces of my spirit.

Wesley: Sos 4:1 - -- He repeats it both to confirm his assertion, and to shew the fervency of his affection.
He repeats it both to confirm his assertion, and to shew the fervency of his affection.

Wesley: Sos 4:1 - -- Whereas the beauty of the spouse is here described in her several parts, we need not labour much about the application of each particular to some dist...
Whereas the beauty of the spouse is here described in her several parts, we need not labour much about the application of each particular to some distinct grace of the church, this being the chief design of the description to shew that compleatness and absolute perfection which the church hath in part received, and shall more fully receive in the future life.

Wesley: Sos 4:1 - -- Which in these parts was of extraordinary length, and softness, and comeliness.
Which in these parts was of extraordinary length, and softness, and comeliness.

Wesley: Sos 4:1 - -- A very fruitful place, fit for breeding all sorts of cattle, and especially of goats, because it was an hilly and woody country.
A very fruitful place, fit for breeding all sorts of cattle, and especially of goats, because it was an hilly and woody country.
JFB: Sos 4:1 - -- Contrast with the bride's state by nature (Isa 1:6) her state by grace (Son 4:1-7), "perfect through His comeliness put upon her" (Eze 16:14; Joh 15:3...
Contrast with the bride's state by nature (Isa 1:6) her state by grace (Son 4:1-7), "perfect through His comeliness put upon her" (Eze 16:14; Joh 15:3). The praise of Jesus Christ, unlike that of the world, hurts not, but edifies; as His, not ours, is the glory (Joh 5:44; Rev 4:10-11). Seven features of beauty are specified (Son 4:1-5) ("lips" and "speech" are but one feature, Son 4:3), the number for perfection. To each of these is attached a comparison from nature: the resemblances consist not so much in outward likeness, as in the combined sensations of delight produced by contemplating these natural objects.

JFB: Sos 4:1 - -- The large melting eye of the Syrian dove appears especially beautiful amid the foliage of its native groves: so the bride's "eyes within her locks" (L...
The large melting eye of the Syrian dove appears especially beautiful amid the foliage of its native groves: so the bride's "eyes within her locks" (Luk 7:44). MAURER for "locks," has "veil"; but locks suit the connection better: so the Hebrew is translated (Isa 47:2). The dove was the only bird counted "clean" for sacrifice. Once the heart was "the cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Grace makes the change.

JFB: Sos 4:1 - -- (Mat 6:22; Eph 1:18; contrast Mat 5:28; Eph 4:18; 1Jo 2:16). Chaste and guileless ("harmless," Mat 10:16, Margin; Joh 1:47). John the Baptist, histor...
(Mat 6:22; Eph 1:18; contrast Mat 5:28; Eph 4:18; 1Jo 2:16). Chaste and guileless ("harmless," Mat 10:16, Margin; Joh 1:47). John the Baptist, historically, was the "turtledove" (Son 2:12), with eye directed to the coming Bridegroom: his Nazarite unshorn hair answers to "locks" (Joh 1:29, Joh 1:36).

JFB: Sos 4:1 - -- The hair of goats in the East is fine like silk. As long hair is her glory, and marks her subjection to man (1Co 11:6-15), so the Nazarite's hair mark...
The hair of goats in the East is fine like silk. As long hair is her glory, and marks her subjection to man (1Co 11:6-15), so the Nazarite's hair marked his subjection and separation unto God. (Compare Jdg 16:17, with 2Co 6:17; Tit 2:14; 1Pe 2:9). Jesus Christ cares for the minutest concerns of His saints (Mat 10:30).

JFB: Sos 4:1 - -- Literally, "that lie down from"; lying along the hillside, they seem to hang from it: a picture of the bride's hanging tresses.
Literally, "that lie down from"; lying along the hillside, they seem to hang from it: a picture of the bride's hanging tresses.
Clarke: Sos 4:1 - -- Thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks - Perhaps this refers rather to a sort of veil worn by many of the Eastern women, but especially in Egy...
Thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks - Perhaps this refers rather to a sort of veil worn by many of the Eastern women, but especially in Egypt. It is a species of black cloth made of the hair of some animal, probably the black goat; is suspended from the head by silken cords, one of which comes from the crown of the head, down the forehead, to the upper part of the nose, just under the eyes, at which place the veil begins; for the forehead and the eyes are uncovered, except the cord above mentioned, which is ornamented with gold, silver, and precious stones, according to the circumstances of the wearer. This partial veil not only covers all the face, the eyes and forehead excepted, but the neck also, and hangs loosely down over the bosom. One of them, lately brought from Egypt, now lies before me
But the clause, within thy locks,

Clarke: Sos 4:1 - -- As a flock of goats - Because it was black and sleek, as the hair of the goats of Arabia and Palestine is known to be; which, with its fine undulati...
As a flock of goats - Because it was black and sleek, as the hair of the goats of Arabia and Palestine is known to be; which, with its fine undulation, is supposed to bear some resemblance to the curls or plaits of a woman’ s tresses. The mountains of Gilead were beyond Jordan, on the frontiers of Arabia Deserta.
Defender -> Sos 4:1
Defender: Sos 4:1 - -- The bridegroom is speaking from Son 4:1 to Son 5:1, praising the beauties and perfections of his young bride. In picturesque similes, appropriate to t...
The bridegroom is speaking from Son 4:1 to Son 5:1, praising the beauties and perfections of his young bride. In picturesque similes, appropriate to the culture, he describes seven aspects of her beauty - her eyes, hair, teeth, lips, temples, neck and breasts - all speaking of perfection in his eyes. "There is no spot in thee," he says (Son 4:7). Just so, in Christ, we are made complete (Col 2:10)."
TSK -> Sos 4:1
TSK: Sos 4:1 - -- my : Son 4:9, Son 4:10, Son 1:15, Son 2:10, Son 2:14; Psa 45:11; Eze 16:14; 2Co 3:18
thou hast : Son 5:12; Mat 11:29; Phi 2:3-5
thy hair : Son 5:11, S...

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Sos 4:1
Barnes: Sos 4:1 - -- Thou hast doves’ eyes ... - Thine eyes are doves behind thy veil. So also in Son 4:3; Son 6:7; Isa 47:2, "veil"is better than "locks." ...
Thou hast doves’ eyes ... - Thine eyes are doves behind thy veil. So also in Son 4:3; Son 6:7; Isa 47:2, "veil"is better than "locks."
That appear from ... - Or, "that couch upon Mount Gilead."The point of comparison seems to be the multitudinousness of the flocks seen browsing on the verdant slopes of the rich pasture-lands Num 32:1; Mic 7:14.
Haydock: Sos 4:1 - -- Lips. Teachers who accommodate their instructions to the capacity of their audience, (Calmet) giving milk to children, Hebrews v. 13., (Haydock) a...
Lips. Teachers who accommodate their instructions to the capacity of their audience, (Calmet) giving milk to children, Hebrews v. 13., (Haydock) and 1 Corinthians iii. 2. ---
In allusion, perhaps, to this passage, (Calmet) it was customary to give milk and honey to the new baptized. (Tertullian, coron.) ---
Garments. Which were perfumed, (Genesis xxvii. 17., and Psalm xliv. 9.) and imply good works, (2 Corinthians v. 3., and Romans xiii. 14.; Calmet) and the external service and prayers of the Church, which ascend like incense, Psalm cxl. 2. (Menochius)

Haydock: Sos 4:1 - -- How. Christ again praises the beauty of his Church. (Worthington) ---
The dialogue takes place in the country. (Haydock) ---
From corporal beaut...
How. Christ again praises the beauty of his Church. (Worthington) ---
The dialogue takes place in the country. (Haydock) ---
From corporal beauty, which is often dangerous, and the portion of the most dissolute, we must raise our minds to spiritual advantages, which the Holy Ghost has here in view. ---
Within. St. Ambrose, "besides thy taciturnity." Septuagint, "silence." Rabbins, &c., "hair." Protestants, "within thy locks." But what renders this version of tsammathec (Haydock) suspicious is, that none of the ancients knew of it, and the hair is afterwards specified, chap. vi. 4. Moreover, Isaias, (xlvii. 2.) uses it for (Calmet) "turpitude," (St. Jerome) or the parts which are usually "covered." (Septuagint) (Haydock) ---
Si qua latent, meliora putat. ([Ovid?] Met. 1500.) ---
All the glory of the king's daughter is within, Psalm xliv. 14. Modesty and silence are the best encomium. (Calmet) ---
The Lord praises the intention, occupations and doctrine of the Church, the twins of faith and good works; the preaching of Christ's passion without shame, (ver. 3.) and the administration of the sacraments, which, like the neck, unite the members to their head; so that they become invincible, (ver. 4.) whether they be of Jewish or Gentile extraction, ver. 5. (Worthington) ---
Up. Hebrew and Septuagint, "appear." Jerusalem was the highest part of the country; (Haydock) and coming up and down often means no more than coming or going, Judges xi. 3., and xv. 11. (Calmet) ---
The hair of goats in Lycia was beautifully curled. (Ælian xvi. 30.) ---
Women used such false hair. (Martial xii. 45.) ---
Though the hair be only an ornament, it is not to be neglected; so the pious Christian will always treat with respect the ceremonies established chiefly for the instruction of the ignorant. (Calmet) ---
Those simple and fervent souls, by their numbers, adorn the Church, as hair does the body. (St. Gregory) ---
The external and internal perfections of the spouse deserve commendation. (Menochius)
Gill -> Sos 4:1
Gill: Sos 4:1 - -- Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair,.... The same as in Son 1:15; here repeated by Christ, to introduce the following commendation...
Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair,.... The same as in Son 1:15; here repeated by Christ, to introduce the following commendation; to express the greatness of his love to his church; and show that he had the same opinion of her, and esteem for her, notwithstanding what had passed between that time and this;
thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks; the same comparison; see Gill on Son 1:15; only with this difference, here her eyes are said to be "within her locks": which, whether understood of the ministers of the Gospel; or of the eyes of the understanding, particularly of, the eye of faith, as has been observed on the above place; do not seem so much to design the imperfection of the sight of the one or of the other, in the present state, as eyes within or under locks and in some measure covered with them, hinder the sight of them; as the modesty of either of them; locks being decently tied up, as the word signifies i, is a sign thereof, as the contrary is a sign of boldness and wantonness. Doves' eyes themselves are expressive of modesty and humility, and, this phrase added to them, increases the idea; such ministers, who have the largest gifts, greatest grace, light, and knowledge, are the most humble, witness the Apostle Paul; and this phrase expresses the beauty of them, not only in the eyes of Christ, but in the eyes of those to whom they publish the good tidings of salvation: and so it may denote what an exceeding modest grace faith is, which receives all from Christ, and gives him all the glory, and takes none to itself; and what a beauty there is in it, insomuch that Christ is ravished with it, Son 4:9; and seems rather to be the sense here;
thy hair is as a flock of goats; like the hair of goats, so Ben Melech. Hair adds much to the comeliness of persons, and is therefore frequently mentioned, both with respect to the bride and bridegroom, in this song, Son 5:1; and so in all poems of this kind k; and one part of the comeliness of women lies in their hair;
"let a woman, says Apuleius l, be adorned with ever such fine garments, and decked with gold and jewels, yet, without this ornament, she will not be pleasing; no, not Verus herself.''
The women m in Homer, are described by their beautiful hair; nor is it unusual to compare the hair of women, and represent it as superior to a fleece of the choicest flock n. And here the church's hair is said to be like the hair of goats, for that is the sense of the expression; and which is thought to be most like to human hair, 1Sa 19:13; and it is compared to that, not so much for its length and sleekness, as for its colour, being yellowish; which, with women formerly, was in esteem, and reckoned graceful o; this being the colour of the hair of some of the greatest beauties, as Helena, Philoxena, and others, whose hair was flaxen and yellow; hence great care was taken to make it look so, even as yellow as gold p: the Jewish women used to have their perukes, or false hair, of goats' hair, and still have in some places to this day q; and it should seem the Roman women also had, to which the poet r refers. And the church's hair here is said to be like the hair of a flock of goats,
that appear from Mount Gilead; or rather "on Mount Gilead", as Noldius: Gilead was a mountain in the land of Israel, beyond Jordan, famous for pasturage for cattle, where flocks of goats were fed, as was usual on mountains s; and, being well fed, their hair was long, smooth, neat, and glistering; and so to spectators, at a distance, looked very beautiful and lovely; especially in the morning at sun rising, and, glancing on them with its bright and glittering rays, were delightful. So R. Jonah, from the use of the word in the Arabic language, which signifies the morning, interprets it, which "rise early in the morning"; and which, as Schultens t observes, some render,
"leading to water early in the morning;''
the Vulgate Latin version is, "that ascend from Mount Gilead", from a lower to a higher part of it; which is approved of by Bochart u. Now the hair of the church may be interpreted either of believers, the several members of the church of Christ; the hairs of the head are numerous, grow upon the head, and have their nourishment from it; are weak in themselves, but depend upon the head, and are an ornament to it: so the saints, though few in comparison of the world, yet by themselves are a great number, which no man can number; these grow upon Christ, the Head of the church, and receive their nourishment from him; and, though weak in themselves, have strength from him, and have their dependence on him; and are an ornament and crown of glory to him; and who are cared for and numbered by him, so that no one can be lost; see Eze 5:1. Or rather it may be interpreted of the outward conversation of the saints; hair is visible, is a covering, and an ornament, when taken care of, and managed aright, and has its dependence and is influenced by the head: the good conversation of the church and its members is visible to all, as the hair of the head, and as a flock of goats on Mount Gilead; and is a covering, though not from divine justice, yet from the reproaches of men; is ornamental to believers, and to the doctrine they profess; especially when their conversation is ordered aright, according to the weird of God, and is influenced by grace, communicated from Christ, the Head.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Sos 4:1-16
TSK Synopsis: Sos 4:1-16 - --1 Christ sets forth the graces of the church.8 He shews his love to her.16 The church prays to be made fit for his presence.
MHCC -> Sos 4:1-7
MHCC: Sos 4:1-7 - --If each of these comparisons has a meaning applicable to the graces of the church, or of the faithful Christian, they are not clearly known; and great...
Matthew Henry -> Sos 4:1-7
Matthew Henry: Sos 4:1-7 - -- Here is, I. A large and particular account of the beauties of the church, and of gracious souls on whom the image of God is renewed, consisting in ...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Sos 4:1
Keil-Delitzsch: Sos 4:1 - --
1a Lo, thou art fair, my friend! yes, thou art fair!
Thine eyes are doves behind thy veil.
The Gr. Venet. translates, after Kimchi, "looking out f...
Constable: Sos 3:6--5:2 - --III. THE WEDDING 3:6--5:1
Weddings in Israel took place before the local town elders rather than before the prie...

Constable: Sos 4:1--5:2 - --B. The Consummation 4:1-5:1
Our attention now turns from the public procession that took place on the we...
