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Text -- The Song of Songs 6:4 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
The Renewal of Love
6:4 The Lover to His Beloved: My darling, you are as beautiful as Tirzah, as lovely as Jerusalem, as awe-inspiring as bannered armies!
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Jerusalem the capital city of Israel,a town; the capital of Israel near the southern border of Benjamin
 · Tirzah daughter of Zelophehad,a town of Manasseh 10 km NE of Shechem


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Tirzah | Standard | Song | SONG OF SONGS | Personification | PALESTINE, 3 | PALESTINE, 2 | Jerusalem | ISRAEL, KINGDOM OF | Fellowship | COMELINESS; COMELY | Baer | BANNER | BAASHA | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Sos 6:4 - -- These are the words of Christ, who had now again manifested himself to his church.

These are the words of Christ, who had now again manifested himself to his church.

Wesley: Sos 6:4 - -- A very pleasant city, the royal seat of the kings of Israel.

A very pleasant city, the royal seat of the kings of Israel.

Wesley: Sos 6:4 - -- Which was beautiful both for its situation, and for its goodly buildings.

Which was beautiful both for its situation, and for its goodly buildings.

Wesley: Sos 6:4 - -- To her enemies, whom God will certainly destroy.

To her enemies, whom God will certainly destroy.

JFB: Sos 6:4 - -- Meaning "pleasant" (Heb 13:21); "well-pleasing" (Mat 5:14); the royal city of one of the old Canaanite kings (Jos 12:24); and after the revolt of Isra...

Meaning "pleasant" (Heb 13:21); "well-pleasing" (Mat 5:14); the royal city of one of the old Canaanite kings (Jos 12:24); and after the revolt of Israel, the royal city of its kings, before Omri founded Samaria (1Ki 16:8, 1Ki 16:15). No ground for assigning a later date than the time of Solomon to the Song, as Tirzah was even in his time the capital of the north (Israel), as Jerusalem was of the south (Judah).

JFB: Sos 6:4 - -- Residence of the kings of Judah, as Tirzah, of Israel (Psa 48:1, &c.; Psa 122:1-3; Psa 125:1-2). Loveliness, security, unity, and loyalty; also the un...

Residence of the kings of Judah, as Tirzah, of Israel (Psa 48:1, &c.; Psa 122:1-3; Psa 125:1-2). Loveliness, security, unity, and loyalty; also the union of Israel and Judah in the Church (Isa 11:13; Jer 3:18; Eze 37:16-17, Eze 37:22; compare Heb 12:22; Rev 21:2, Rev 21:12).

JFB: Sos 6:4 - -- Awe-inspiring. Not only armed as a city on the defensive, but as an army on the offensive.

Awe-inspiring. Not only armed as a city on the defensive, but as an army on the offensive.

JFB: Sos 6:4 - -- (See on Son 5:10; Psa 60:4); Jehovah-nissi (2Co 10:4).

(See on Son 5:10; Psa 60:4); Jehovah-nissi (2Co 10:4).

Clarke: Sos 6:4 - -- Beautiful - as Tirzah - This is supposed to be the address of Solomon to the bride. Tirzah was a city in the tribe of Ephraim, (Jos 12:24), and the ...

Beautiful - as Tirzah - This is supposed to be the address of Solomon to the bride. Tirzah was a city in the tribe of Ephraim, (Jos 12:24), and the capital of that district. It appears to have been beautiful in itself, and beautifully situated, for Jeroboam made it his residence before Samaria was built; and it seems to have been the ordinary residence of the kings of Israel, 1Ki 14:17; 1Ki 15:21. Its same signifies beautiful or delightful

Clarke: Sos 6:4 - -- Comely as Jerusalem - This was called the perfection of beauty, Psa 48:2, Psa 48:3; Psa 50:2. And thus the poet compares the bride’ s beauty to...

Comely as Jerusalem - This was called the perfection of beauty, Psa 48:2, Psa 48:3; Psa 50:2. And thus the poet compares the bride’ s beauty to the two finest places in the land of Palestine, and the capitals of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah

Clarke: Sos 6:4 - -- Terrible as an army with banners - This has been supposed to carry an allusion to the caravans in the East, and the manner in which they are conduct...

Terrible as an army with banners - This has been supposed to carry an allusion to the caravans in the East, and the manner in which they are conducted in their travels by night. The caravans are divided into companies, called cottors, according to Thevenet; and each company is distinguished by the form of the brazier in which they carry their lights. After night, these braziers are placed on the ends of long poles, and carried by a person who walks at the head of the company. Some have ten or twelve lights, and are of different forms; some triangular, or like an N; some like an M, by which each pilgrim readily knows his own company, both by night and day. A whole caravan, composed of many thousands of hadgees or pilgrims, divided into various cottors or companies, each having its own distinguishing brazier or light, must necessarily produce a very splendid, if not a terrible, appearance.

TSK: Sos 6:4 - -- beautiful : Son 6:10, Son 2:14, Son 4:7, Son 5:2; Eze 16:13, Eze 16:14; Eph 5:27 as Tirzah : 1Ki 14:17, 1Ki 15:21, 1Ki 15:33 comely : Psa 48:2; Lam 2:...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Sos 6:4-9 - -- The section might be entitled, "Renewed declaration of love after brief estrangement." Son 6:4 Tirzah ... Jerusalem - Named together as t...

The section might be entitled, "Renewed declaration of love after brief estrangement."

Son 6:4

Tirzah ... Jerusalem - Named together as the then two fairest cities of the land. For Jerusalem compare Psa 48:2. "Tirzah"(i. e., "Grace"or "Beauty ")was an old Canaanite royal city Jos 12:24. It became again a royal residence during the reigns of Baasha and his three successors in the kingdom of the ten tribes, and may well therefore have been famed for its beauty in the time of Solomon.

Terrible as ... - Awe-inspiring as the bannered (hosts). The warlike image, like others in the Song, serves to enhance the charm of its assured peace.

Son 6:5

Even for the king the gentle eyes of the bride have an awe-striking majesty. Such is the condescension of love. Now follows Son 6:5-7 the longest of the repetitions which abound in the Song, marking the continuance of the king’ s affection as when first solemnly proclaimed Son 4:1-6. The two descriptions belong, according to some (Christian) expositors, to the Church of different periods, e. g. to the primitive Church in the splendor of her first vocation, and to the Church under Constantine; other (Jewish) expositors apply them to "the congregation of Israel"under the first and second temples respectively.

Son 6:9

The king contrasts the bride with the other claimants for her royal estate or favor Son 6:8. She not only outshines them all for him, but herself has received from them disinterested blessing and praise.

This passage is invaluable as a divine witness to the principle of monogamy under the Old Testament and in the luxurious age of Solomon.

Poole: Sos 6:4 - -- Thou art beautiful, O my love: these are the words of Christ, who had now again manifested himself to his church; whereby he declares, that though he...

Thou art beautiful, O my love: these are the words of Christ, who had now again manifested himself to his church; whereby he declares, that though he had for a season hid his face from her, yet still he retained a sincere and fervent affection to her, and that, notwithstanding her manifold infirmities, she was yet beautiful in his eyes.

Tirzah a very pleasant city, as its very name signifies, and therefore made the royal seat of the kings of Israel; of which see 1Ki 14:17 15:31,33 16:6 , &c.

Comely as Jerusalem which was beautiful, both for its situation, Psa 48:2 , and for its goodly buildings, especially the temple. See Lam 2:15 .

Terrible either,

1. To strangers, whom by her grave and, majestic looks and carriage she affrights from rude or bold attempts, whereas some women invite others to familiarity with them by their loose and wanton carriage. Or,

2. To her enemies, whom God will certainly destroy.

Haydock: Sos 6:4 - -- Turn. The more one contemplates God's majesty, the more he will be convinced that it is incomprehensible. (Worthington) --- To pry into mysteries,...

Turn. The more one contemplates God's majesty, the more he will be convinced that it is incomprehensible. (Worthington) ---

To pry into mysteries, may cause Christ to retire. (Theodoret, &c.)

Gill: Sos 6:4 - -- Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah,.... These are the words of Christ, who had been absent for some time, and till now silent; but, like anothe...

Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah,.... These are the words of Christ, who had been absent for some time, and till now silent; but, like another Joseph, could not refrain any longer, but makes himself known to his church, and bursts out in strong expressions of love to her, and in high commendations of her; for, notwithstanding her behavior toward him, she was his love still, and as "beautiful" and as comely in his sight as ever: and for which he compares her here to Tirzah; which is either the name of some beautiful woman, well known in those times; so one of the daughters of Zelophehad is called by this name, Num 27:1; but whether from her beauty is nowhere said: or rather a city of this name is here meant, since, in the next clause, the church is compared to the city of Jerusalem for the same reason. There was a city in the land of Canaan, called Tirzah, formerly the seat of one of the ancient kings of Canaan, and, in later times, of Jeroboam and some of his successors; and which, no doubt, was a very pleasant and delightful place, as its name imports, either from its situation or buildings, Jos 12:24. Adrichomius x says, it was an heroic city, situated on a high mountain. In some of the Greek versions, it is read as an appellative, and tendered, as "good will" or "good pleasure" y, and so may respect the sweetness of her temper and disposition; which is heightened by using the abstract, she was all good nature and good will; not only sweet, as the Vulgate Latin version, but "sweetness" itself, as she says of him, Son 5:16; and this may be said of her, as she was the object of God's good will and pleasure in election, of Christ's in redemption, and of the Spirit's in effectual calling; and as she was the subject of good will, bearing one to God, to Christ, to his people, word, worship, ways, and ordinances. The word comes from a root which signifies to be "grateful and accepted": and so Jarchi interprets the word here "acceptable": and so some ancient writings of the Jews z: and may denote the acceptableness of the church in Christ, with whom God is well pleased in him for his righteousness's sake, in which she appears exceeding fair and lovely. And for the same reason is said to be

comely as Jerusalem; the metropolis of Judea, and seat of the kings of it; and, as Pliny a says, was far the most famous of any of the cities of the east; it was a city well built and compact together, beautiful for situation, very rich in Solomon's time, the place of divine worship, and was strongly fortified by nature and art: and hence the church of God often bears this name, both in the Old and New Testament, Isa 40:2, being the city of the great King, built on Christ, the Rock; consisting of saints, fitly and closely united together; rich with the unsearchable riches of Christ; where the several parts of spiritual and evangelic worship are performed; possessed of many privileges, and well secured by the power and salvation of God. Yet

terrible as an army with banners; to her enemies, though so lovely to Christ. This shows that not a single person is meant all along, who could not with propriety be compared to an army; but a collective body, as the church is: and that the church on earth is militant, and, like a well disciplined army, in good order, and provided with proper officers and suitable armour, and in a posture of defence, and ready to fight when attacked; and so "terrible" to her enemies, Satan and his principalities, wicked men and false teachers; who are terrified by their having such a General at the head of them as Christ, and being under such banners as his, and provided with such good weapons of warfare, as are mighty through God; by their close union to one another; and by the constancy, undauntedness, and invincibleness of their faith; and are awed by their pious conversation and good examples. Perhaps some respect may be had by Christ to the church's courage and constancy in seeking after him; the force of whose faith and love he felt, which he could not withstand, and therefore says as follows:

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Sos 6:4 The literary unity of 6:4-10 and boundaries of his praise are indicated by the repetition of the phrase אֲיֻמּ...

Geneva Bible: Sos 6:4 Thou [art] beautiful, O my love, as ( b ) Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as [an army] with banners. ( b ) Which was a fair and strong city, (1...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Sos 6:1-13 - --1 The church professes her faith in Christ.4 Christ shews the graces of the church;10 and his love towards her.

MHCC: Sos 6:4-10 - --All the real excellence and holiness on earth centre in the church. Christ goes forth subduing his enemies, while his followers gain victories over th...

Matthew Henry: Sos 6:4-10 - -- Now we must suppose Christ graciously returned to his spouse, from whom he had withdrawn himself, returned to converse with her (for he speaks to he...

Keil-Delitzsch: Sos 6:4 - -- With Son 6:4 Solomon's address is resumed, and a new scene opens. Shulamith had found him again, and she who is beautiful in herself appears now so ...

Constable: Sos 5:2--8:5 - --IV. THE MATURING PROCESS 5:2--8:4 In this last major section of the book the married love of Solomon and the Shu...

Constable: Sos 5:2--7:1 - --A. The Problem of Apathy 5:2-6:13 Sometime after the wedding the Shulammite failed to respond encouragin...

Constable: Sos 6:4-13 - --4. Restoration of intimacy 6:4-13 6:4-10 Solomon's first words to his beloved were praises. Verse 4c probably means Solomon felt weak-kneed as a resul...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) The Song of Solomon, called in the Vulgate and Septuagint, "The Song of Songs," from the opening words. This title denotes its superior excellence, ac...

TSK: The Song of Songs 6 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Son 6:1, The church professes her faith in Christ; Son 6:4, Christ shews the graces of the church; Son 6:10, and his love towards her.

Poole: The Song of Songs 6 (Chapter Introduction) OF SOLOMON CHAPTER 6 An inquiry after Christ, Son 6:1 . The church’ s answer, Son 5:2 . The church confesseth her faith in Christ, Son 6:3 . C...

MHCC: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) This book is a Divine allegory, which represents the love between Christ and his church of true believers, under figures taken from the relation and a...

MHCC: The Song of Songs 6 (Chapter Introduction) (Son 6:1) Inquiry where Christ must be sought. (Son 6:2, Son 6:3) Where Christ may be found. (Son 6:4-10) Christ's commendations of the church. (So...

Matthew Henry: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Song of Solomon All scripture, we are sure, is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable f...

Matthew Henry: The Song of Songs 6 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter, I. The daughters of Jerusalem, moved with the description which the church had given of Christ, enquire after him (Son 6:1). II....

Constable: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) Introduction Title In the Hebrew Bible the title of this book is "The Song of Songs." ...

Constable: The Song of Songs (Outline) Outline I. The superscription 1:1 II. The courtship 1:2-3:5 A. The begin...

Constable: The Song of Songs Song of Solomon Bibliography Baxter, J. Sidlow. Explore the Book. 6 vols. London: Marshall, Morgan, and Scott, ...

Haydock: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) SOLOMON'S CANTICLE OF CANTICLES. INTRODUCTION. This book is called the Canticle of Canticles, that is to say, the most excellent of all cantic...

Gill: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE SONG OF SOLOMON This book is entitled, in the Hebrew copies, "Shir Hashirim", the Song of Songs. The Septuagint and Vulgate Lat...

Gill: The Song of Songs 6 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 6 The discourse between the church and the daughters of Jerusalem is continued in this chapter: they inquire whithe...

Advanced Commentary (Dictionaries, Hymns, Arts, Sermon Illustration, Question and Answers, etc)


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