What does Song of Solomon 4:5 mean?
What is the meaning of Song of Solomon 4:5?

Your breasts

- The husband admires his bride’s body openly and without shame, celebrating God-given beauty inside the covenant of marriage (Genesis 2:25).

- Physical attraction is not sinful; it is a gift meant to draw husband and wife together, echoing Proverbs 5:18-19: “May her breasts satisfy you at all times; may you be captivated always by her love.”

- The focus on the breasts also hints at nurture and life-giving comfort, themes later echoed when Israel is comforted “as a mother comforts her child” (Isaiah 66:13).


are like two fawns

- Young deer are gentle, skittish, and easily startled. The comparison calls the husband to approach his wife with tenderness and patience—never harshly.

- It highlights freshness and youthful vitality, paralleling the joy of new love described in Songs 2:3-4.

- As Psalm 42:1 pictures a deer longing for water, so the husband longs for intimacy, yet he must move slowly and respectfully.


twins of a gazelle

- “Twins” underscores symmetry, balance, and completeness—God’s design is harmonious and aesthetically pleasing (Psalm 139:14).

- Gazelles are graceful and swift; their twins move in perfect harmony. Likewise, marital intimacy is meant to be mutually satisfying and synchronized (1 Corinthians 7:3-4).

- The same phrase reappears in Songs 7:3, showing this appreciation is continuous, not momentary.


grazing among the lilies

- Lilies imply purity, fragrance, and restful beauty (Songs 2:2). Their presence frames the scene in innocence and holiness.

- “Grazing” suggests unhurried enjoyment within safe pastures, echoing Songs 2:16: “My beloved is mine and I am his; he browses among the lilies.”

- Jesus later invites trust using the same flower—“Consider the lilies” (Matthew 6:28)—linking peace and provision with God’s care, even in romantic love.


summary

Song of Solomon 4:5 pictures the bride’s breasts as gentle twin fawns peacefully feeding among lilies. The verse applauds the physical beauty of marital love, calling husbands to approach their wives with tenderness, honor, and delight, while affirming that such intimacy is pure, balanced, and rooted in God’s gracious provision.

Why is the imagery of shields used in Song of Solomon 4:4?
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