Song 4:1 | JFB | STEP | . 1. Contrast with the bride's state by nature ( ) her state by grace ( ), "perfect through His comeliness put upon her" ( ; ). The praise of Jesus Christ, unlike that of the world, hurts not, but edifies; as His, not ours, is the glory ( ; , ). Seven features of beauty are specified ( ) ("lips" and "speech" are but one feature, ), the number for perfection. To each of these is attached a comparison from nature: the resemblances consist not so much in outward likeness, as in the combined sensations of delight produced by contemplating these natural objects. doves'-- the large melting eye of the Syrian dove appears especially beautiful amid the foliage of its native groves: so the bride's "eyes within her locks" ( ). Maurer for "locks," has "veil"; but locks suit the connection better: so the Hebrew is translated ( ). The dove was the only bird counted "clean" for sacrifice. Once the heart was "the cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Grace makes the change. eyes-- ( ; ; contrast ; ; ). Chaste and guileless ("harmless," , Margin; ). John the Baptist, historically, was the "turtledove" ( ), with eye directed to the coming Bridegroom: his Nazarite unshorn hair answers to "locks" ( , 36). hair ... goats-- The hair of goats in the East is fine like silk. As long hair is her glory, and marks her subjection to man ( ), so the Nazarite's hair marked his subjection and separation unto God. (Compare , with ; ; ). Jesus Christ cares for the minutest concerns of His saints ( ). appear from-- literally, "that lie down from"; lying along the hillside, they seem to hang from it: a picture of the bride's hanging tresses. Gilead-- beyond Jordan: there stood "the heap of witness" ( ).

‏ Song of Solomon 4:1

CHAPTER 4

1. Contrast with the bride's state by nature (Is 1:6) her state by grace (So 4:1-7), "perfect through His comeliness put upon her" (Eze 16:14; Joh 15:3). The praise of Jesus Christ, unlike that of the world, hurts not, but edifies; as His, not ours, is the glory (Joh 5:44; Re 4:10, 11). Seven features of beauty are specified (So 4:1-5) ("lips" and "speech" are but one feature, So 4:3), the number for perfection. To each of these is attached a comparison from nature: the resemblances consist not so much in outward likeness, as in the combined sensations of delight produced by contemplating these natural objects.

doves'--the large melting eye of the Syrian dove appears especially beautiful amid the foliage of its native groves: so the bride's "eyes within her locks" (Lu 7:44). Maurer for "locks," has "veil"; but locks suit the connection better: so the Hebrew is translated (Is 47:2). The dove was the only bird counted "clean" for sacrifice. Once the heart was "the cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Grace makes the change.

eyes--(Mt 6:22; Ep 1:18; contrast Mt 5:28; Ep 4:18; 1Jo 2:16). Chaste and guileless ("harmless," Mt 10:16, Margin; Joh 1:47). John the Baptist, historically, was the "turtledove" (So 2:12), with eye directed to the coming Bridegroom: his Nazarite unshorn hair answers to "locks" (Joh 1:29, 36).

hair ... goats--The hair of goats in the East is fine like silk. As long hair is her glory, and marks her subjection to man (1Co 11:6-15), so the Nazarite's hair marked his subjection and separation unto God. (Compare Jud 16:17, with 2Co 6:17; Tit 2:14; 1Pe 2:9). Jesus Christ cares for the minutest concerns of His saints (Mt 10:30).

appear from--literally, "that lie down from"; lying along the hillside, they seem to hang from it: a picture of the bride's hanging tresses.

Gilead--beyond Jordan: there stood "the heap of witness" (Ge 31:48).