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.

The Song of Songs 6:1

The Lost Lover Found

The Maidens to the Beloved:

6:1 Where has your beloved gone,

O most beautiful among women?

Where has your beloved turned?

Tell us, ³  that we may seek him with you. ⁴ 

[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).

[6:1]  ³ tn The phrase “Tell us!” does not appear in the Hebrew but is supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness.

[6:1]  ⁴ tn Heb “And we may seek him with you.” The vav-conjunctive on וּנְבַקְשֶׁנּוּ (unÿvaqshennu, “and we may seek him with you”) denotes purpose/result.