Song 4:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Song 4:1-5:1: 4:1–5:1 The consummation of the marriage is now expressed. • This poem is the first “descriptive poem” in the book (see also 5:10-16 ; 6:4-6 ; 7:2-8 ). Scholars commonly refer to these poems by the Arabic term wasf (“description”); these poems are similar in form to songs sung at modern Arabic weddings. These sensuous poems are preludes to sexual intimacy. In their descriptions of physical beauty, they often move—as this one does—from the head downward. 4:1 my darling (literally companion ): The man is about to consummate his love with the one who is his friend as well as lover (see also 4:7 ). • like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead: Middle Eastern goats are very dark, if not black. The woman’s hair flows over and down her lighter veil.

a4:1–5:1►

b5:10-16►

‏ Song of Solomon 4:1

Summary for Song 4:1-5:1: 4:1–5:1 ^a The consummation of the marriage is now expressed.

• This poem is the first “descriptive poem” in the book (see also 5:10-16 ^b; 6:4-6 ^c; 7:2-8 ^d). Scholars commonly refer to these poems by the Arabic term wasf (“description”); these poems are similar in form to songs sung at modern Arabic weddings. These sensuous poems are preludes to sexual intimacy. In their descriptions of physical beauty, they often move—as this one does—from the head downward. 4:1 ^e my darling (literally companion): The man is about to consummate his love with the one who is his friend as well as lover (see also 4:7 ^f).

• like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead: Middle Eastern goats are very dark, if not black. The woman’s hair flows over and down her lighter veil.