Bible/Song of Solomon/5

Song of Solomon 5:13

5:12 His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. fitly: Heb. sitting in fulness, that is, fitly placed, and set as a precious stone in the foil of a ring
His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. sweet flowers: or, towers of perfumes

KJV

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His cheeks are like a bed of spices with towers of perfumes. His lips are like lilies, dropping liquid myrrh.

His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

5:14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

What does Song of Solomon 5:13 mean?

Song of Solomon 5:13 is a verse in the book of Song of Solomon, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include לְחִי (lᵉchîy), עֲרוּגָה (ʻărûwgâh), בֶּשֶׂם (besem). It connects to 5 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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His
cheeksלְחִיlᵉchîy/lekh-ee'/H3895the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone
are
as
a
bedעֲרוּגָהʻărûwgâh/ar-oo-gaw'/H6170something piled up (as if (figuratively) raised by mental aspiration), i.e. a paterre
of
spices,בֶּשֶׂםbesem/beh'-sem/H1314fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant
as
sweetמֶרְקָחmerqâch/mer-kawkh'/H4840a spicy herb
flowers:מִגְדָּלmigdâl/mig-dawl'/H4026a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers
his
lipsשָׂפָהsâphâh/saw-faw'/H8193the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
like
lilies,שׁוּשַׁןshûwshan/shoo-shan'/H7799a lily (from its whiteness), as aflower of architectural ornament; also a (straight) trumpet (from the tubular shape)
droppingנָטַףnâṭaph/naw-taf'/H5197to ooze, i.e. distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration
sweet
smellingעָבַרʻâbar/aw-bar'/H5674to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation)
myrrh.מֹרmôr/more/H4753myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter)
sweet
flowers:
or,
towers
of
perfumes

Commentary on Song of Solomon 5:13

HENRY_FULL · Song of Solomon 5:13
find we begin to see when we begin to study the word of God. The very first principles of the oracles of God, the plainest truths, the milk appointed for the babes, bring a great light into the soul, much more will the soul be illuminated by the sublime mysteries that are found there. "The exposition or explication of thy word gives light;" then it is most profitable when ministers do their part in giving the sense, Neh. viii. 8 . Some understand it of the New Testament, which is the opening or unfolding of the Old, which would give light concerning life and immortality. (2.) It would give understanding even to the simple, to the weakest capacities; for it shows us a way to heaven so plain that the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Here is, 1. The desire David had towards the word of God: I longed for thy commandments. When he was under a forced absence from God's ordinances he longed to be restored to them again; when he enjoyed ordinances he greedily sucked in the word of God, as new-born babes desire the milk. When Christ is formed in the soul there are gracious longings, unaccountable to one that is a stranger to the work. 2. The degree of that desire appearing in the expressions of it: I opened my mouth and panted, as one overcome with heat, or almost stifled, pants for a mouthful of fresh air. Thus strong, thus earnest, should our desires be towards God and the remembrance of his name, Ps. xlii. 1 , 2. Luke xii. 50 .

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 4:31

And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

1 Samuel 1:11

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. a man: Heb. seed of men

2 Samuel 16:12

It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. affliction: or, tears: Heb. eye

2 Thessalonians 1:6

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

2 Thessalonians 1:7

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, his: Gr. the angels of his power

Topics

Love to ChristMyrrhPreciousness of Christ

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Song of Solomon 5:13.

Song of Solomon 6:2

My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

1 Kings 7:26

And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.

Frequently asked questions

What does Song of Solomon 5:13 say?

Song of Solomon 5:13 (King James Version) reads: "His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. sweet flowers: or, towers of perfumes"

Is Song of Solomon 5:13 in the Old or New Testament?

Song of Solomon 5:13 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Song of Solomon.

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