Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.
Read it in contextThe beloved’s beauty
Start reading at Song of Solomon 4:1 (Song of Solomon 4:1 to Song of Solomon 4:15).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The central sequence presents a procession and extended language of admiration, moving toward an invitation and response.
4:1Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.
4:2Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.
4:3Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.
4:4Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.
4:5Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.
4:6Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.
4:7Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.
4:8Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.
4:9Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.
4:10How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!
4:11Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
4:12A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
4:13Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,
4:14Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:
4:15A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Solomon is the traditional author, supported by the title's association with him. Whether that association identifies authorship, ownership, or subject is debated. Biblical references: Song of Solomon 1:1. traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Song of Solomon 1:1–8:14): The lovers address one another, with the daughters of Jerusalem and other companions addressed in portions of the poems. Speaker assignments in individual lines are sometimes uncertain; the poems do not identify a single audience present throughout the whole collection. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? An Israelite audience receiving love poetry. Within the poems the lovers address one another and the daughters of Jerusalem; those speakers and hearers are distinct from the book's later readers. Biblical references: Song of Solomon 1:5; Song of Solomon 2:7. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The beloved’s beauty. Read Song of Solomon 4:1 through Song of Solomon 4:15 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The central sequence presents a procession and extended language of admiration, moving toward an invitation and response. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The poems mention seasons and times of encounter but do not establish a continuous, fully dated narrative or a single certain composition date. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Gardens, vineyards, countryside, and city scenes appear in the poetry. Images of places and bodies function poetically and need not all be literal travel or event reports. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The beloved’s beauty (Song of Solomon 4:1 to Song of Solomon 4:15).
Start reading at Song of Solomon 4:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Christian readers may compare covenant love with New Testament teaching about Christ and the church. That is an interpretive comparison; the Song's verses do not explicitly identify every lover, feature, or scene as Christ or the church. See Song of Solomon 8:6, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:32. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Value faithful, enduring love and respect the poem's warnings about its timing. Avoid assigning a spiritual code to every physical image without textual support. interpretation
Cited: Song of Solomon 4:1, Song of Solomon 4:15, Song of Solomon 8:6, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:32
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Song of Solomon 4
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The Song of Solomon is poetry of love and desire. Identifying every speaker and assigning every image to Christ and the church involve interpretation; those readings should not be presented as names and meanings explicitly supplied in every verse. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The central sequence presents a procession and extended language of admiration, moving toward an invitation and response.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The central sequence presents a procession and extended language of admiration, moving toward an invitation and response.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Song of Solomon
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The Song of Solomon is poetry of love and desire. Identifying every speaker and assigning every image to Christ and the church involve interpretation; those readings should not be presented as names and meanings explicitly supplied in every verse.
Connection to the wholeAn account of missed encounter leads to searching and a sustained description of the beloved, followed by renewed affirmation of belonging.
Connection to the wholeThe later exchanges culminate in reflection on love's strength and a final invitation, completing the collection's movement of desire and belonging.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.