Chapter 7

1 A further description of the church’s graces. 10 The church professeth her faith and desire.

1. How beautiful. Verses 1–5 are a laudation, probably by the ladies who are looking on, although many consider that the words are spoken by Solomon.

Like jewels. The emphasis is probably on the jewels that she now wears.

3. Like two young roes. Compare ch. 4:5.

4. As a tower. Compare ch. 4:4.

Fishpools. Literally, “pools,” as the same word is translated in 2 Sam. 2:13.

Heshbon. Heshbon is generally identified with Tell HesbaЖn, about 15 mi. (24 km.) east of the Jordan. This site has yielded no evidence from Moses’ time, but has well-attested remains from the period of the judges and of the monarchy, including portions of a large open-air water reservoir.

Bath-rabbim. Literally, “daughter of multitudes.” Doubtedless the name of one of the gates.

5. Carmel. A range of hills about 1,800 ft. elevation, forming the southwestern boundary of the plain of Esdraelon and the Bay of Acre.

Galleries. Heb. rehatim. The meaning of the word here is uncertain. In Gen. 30:38, 41 it means “watering troughts.” It may come from a root meaning “to run,” “to flow,” hence “a flowing down.” From this the definition “locks of hair” has been suggested. The king speaks of himself as held in the locks of the Shulamite’s hair.

7. Palm tree. Heb. tamar. The tall and graceful palm tree was an appropriate figure for female beauty. The name Tamar was borne by several women (Gen. 38:6; 2 Sam. 13:1).

10. I am my beloved’s. A refrain (see chs. 2:16; 6:3) ending the section extolling the bride’s beauty.

11. Let us go forth. In this section the bride expresses her longing for her home in Lebanon. She may be imagined as begging her husband to take her back to her own old home, with promises of a renewed love for him.

13. Mandrakes. By popular etymology, “love apples.” They were supposed to excite amatory desire and favor procreation (see Gen. 30:14–16).