CHAPTER VII _A farther description of the bride_, 1-9. _Her invitation to the bridegroom_, 10-13. NOTES ON CHAP. VII Verse Song of Solomon 7:1. _HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THY FEET WITH SHOES_] "How graceful is thy walking." In the _sixth_ chapter the bridegroom praises the _Shulamite_, as we might expre... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 7:2. _THY NAVEL_ IS LIKE _A ROUND GOBLET_] This may also refer to some ornamental dress about the _loins_. These suppositions are rendered very probable from hundreds of the best finished and highly decorated drawings of Asiatic _ladies_ in my own collection, where every thing... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 7:3. _THY TWO BREASTS_] Where the hair and breasts are fine, they are the highest ornaments of the person of a female.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 7:4. _THY NECK - AS A TOWER OF IVORY_] High, white, and ornamented with jewellery, _as the tower of David_ was with _bucklers_. See on Song of Solomon 4:4. _THE FISH - POOLS IN HESHBON_] Clear, bright, and serene. These must have been very beautiful to have been introduced her... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 7:5. _THINE HEAD - LIKE CARMEL_] Rising majestically upon thy neck, and above thy shoulders, as Mount Carmel does in its district. Carmel was the name of the mountain where Elijah had his contest with the prophets of Baal. See 1 Kings 18:19, c. _THE HAIR OF THINE HEAD LIKE PUR... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 7:6. _HOW FAIR AND HOW PLEASANT_] Thou art every way beautiful, and in every respect calculated to inspire pleasure and delight.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 7:7. _LIKE TO A PALM TREE_] Which is remarkably _straight,_ _taper_, and _elegant_. _AND THY BREASTS TO CLUSTERS_ OF GRAPES.] _Dates_ are the fruit of the palm tree; they grow in clusters; and it is these, not _grapes_, which are intended.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 7:8. _I WILL GO UP TO THE PALM TREE_] I will take hold on the boughs of this tree, and climb up by them, in order to gather the clusters of dates at the top. The _rubric_ here in the old MS. interprets this of the _cross of Christ_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _THE ROOF OF THY MOUTH LIKE THE BEST WINE_] The _voice_ or _conversation_ of the spouse is most probably what is meant. _CAUSING THE LIPS OF THOSE THAT ARE ASLEEP TO SPEAK._] As _good_ _wine_ has a tendency to cause the most backward to _speak fluently_ when taken in moderation; so a sight... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _I_ AM _MY BELOVED'S, AND HIS DESIRE_ IS _TOWARD ME._] It is worthy of remark that the word which we translate _his desire_ is the very same used Genesis 3:16: _Thy desire_, thy ruling appetite, תשוקתך _teshukathech, shall be_ _to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee_. This was a part... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _LET US GO FORTH INTO THE FIELD_] It has been conjectured that the bridegroom arose early every morning, and left the bride's apartment, and withdrew to the country; often leaving her asleep, and commanding her companions not to disturb her till she should awake of herself. Here the bride... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _LET US GET UP EARLY TO THE VINEYARDS_] When in the country, we shall have the better opportunity to contemplate the progress of the spring vegetation; and there she promises to be peculiarly affectionate to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Song of Solomon 7:13. _THE MANDRAKES GIVE A SMELL_] Genesis 30:14, where the _mandrake_ is particularly described; from which this passage will receive considerable light. The reader is _requested_ to consult it. _ALL MANNER OF PLEASANT FRUITS_] Fruits _new_ and _old; flowers_ and _herbs_ of... [ Continue Reading ]