How does Song of Solomon 7:10 reflect the mutual love in marriage? Setting in the Song • Songs 7:10 falls near the climax of the bride’s praise for her husband. • The couple speaks back and forth, illustrating God-given delight within the marriage covenant (cf. Songs 2:16; 6:3). • The verse reads, “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” The Phrasing That Reveals Mutuality • “I am my beloved’s” – the bride joyfully acknowledges belonging to her husband. • “His desire is for me” – the groom’s yearning centers on his wife, not elsewhere. • Both phrases together affirm a two-way bond: possession without domination, desire without lust. Belonging: Covenant Commitment • Echoes Genesis 2:24—“the two shall become one flesh.” • Shows the safety and exclusivity promised in marriage (Malachi 2:14-15). • Gives each spouse freedom to love fully because the covenant guards the relationship. Desire: Passionate Pursuit • The Hebrew teshuqah appears only three times (Genesis 3:16; 4:7; Songs 7:10). • In the Song it is redeemed: not conflict or conquest but affectionate pursuit. • Proverbs 5:18-19 calls spouses to rejoice in each other similarly. Two-Way Love Throughout Scripture • 1 Corinthians 7:3-4—husband and wife owe each other conjugal rights, illustrating mutual authority. • Ephesians 5:25, 28—husbands love sacrificially; wives respond in respect and love (vv. 33). • Hosea 2:19—God’s covenant with His people models steadfast, affectionate commitment. Practical Takeaways for Marriage Today • Celebrate belonging: regularly affirm “I am my beloved’s.” • Nurture desire: intentional time together, words of affirmation, physical affection. • Guard exclusivity: refuse comparisons, pornography, or emotional affairs. • Reflect Christ: let mutual love preach the gospel of covenant faithfulness (John 13:35). Living It Out Song of Solomon 7:10 paints a marriage where each spouse joyfully claims and cherishes the other. When couples embrace both belonging and desire, they mirror God’s design—a secure, passionate, mutually honoring love that endures. |