Song of Songs 4

Praise for the Bride

Doves

Your eyes are like doves behind your veil (Song of Songs 4:1).

The word “dove” (Heb. yonah) refers to a group of birds commonly known as pigeons. Their coloration varies widely, and they can be bred to pure white. They may be the world’s oldest domesticated bird. This cultic vessel (from Syria, circa 1000–700 BC) is decorated with dove figurines. It was photographed at the Israel Museum.

Tower of David

Your neck is like the tower of David, built in rows of stone (Song of Songs 4:4)

The Citadel of David, also known as the Tower of David, lies just south of Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. Its most prominent feature is a minaret, a prayer tower constructed in the Ottoman period. This tower is much later than the time of David but illustrates the beauty of a well-built stone tower.

Necklaces

Upon it are hung a thousand shields, all the shields of the mighty men (Song of Songs 4:4).

Solomon’s reference to the neck of the Shulammite as being bedecked with shields refers to ornamentation with necklaces or similar jewelry, a custom that is known from deep antiquity. This display was photographed at the National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden) in Leiden.

Amanah

Travel down from the summit of Amanah, from the peak of Senir and Hermon (Song of Songs 4:8).

The word Amanah only occurs in this verse, but the context suggests that it can probably be related to a peak near the center of the Anti-Lebanon range where the Amana/Abana river descends down toward Damascus (cf. 2 Kgs 5:12). Shown here is Mount Hermon, also mentioned in this verse and located at the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon range.

Lion's Den

From the lion’s den, from the mountains of leopards (Song of Songs 4:8).

The Asiatic lion, also known as the Persian lion, once lived throughout this region. Today the wild population is restricted to a few small places in India. Males stand about 4 feet (122 cm) at the shoulder and average about 350 pounds (160 kg) in weight. This lion was photographed at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. Generative AI has been used to replace the background of this image.

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