The Song of Songs 4:3

4:3 Your lips are like a scarlet thread; ¹ 

your mouth is lovely.

Your forehead ²  behind your veil

is like a slice of pomegranate.

[4:3]  ¹ tn The phrase חוּט הַשָּׁנִי (khut hashshani, “thread of scarlet”) is a genitive construct with the genitive functioning adjectivally. This phrase is used three times in classical Hebrew to denote a scarlet colored “thread” or “cord” (Josh 2:18; Song 4:3; 11 QT 49:3) (HALOT 296-97 s.v. חוּט; DCH 3:170-71 s.v. חוּט). This is a comparison of sight, describing the color and shape of her lips.

[4:3]  ² tn Alternately, “cheek,” or “temple” (see Judg 4:21).