Song of Solomon 1:10 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 1:10 mean?

Song of Solomon 1:10 describes a woman’s beauty by comparing her cheeks to rows of jewels and her neck to chains of gold. The verse uses the image of fine jewelry to highlight how attractive and precious the woman appears to the speaker.

In this verse, the man is speaking to the woman, admiring her physical appearance in poetic language. The setting is a romantic conversation, and the focus is on the woman’s adorned features, showing both affection and appreciation for her. The verse fits into the larger theme of the Song of Solomon, where lovers express their admiration for each other using vivid, luxurious imagery.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 1:10

• חָלָה (ḥālah, "cheeks"): This word refers specifically to the cheeks, emphasizing the part of the face that is often highlighted by jewelry or beauty.
• נָאוָה (nāwāh, "comely"): This word means lovely or beautiful, stressing the attractiveness of the woman’s features as seen by her admirer.
• תּוֹר (tōr, "rows"): This word can mean a row or a string, often used for a string of jewels or beads, which helps the reader picture the cheeks as if they are framed or decorated with a line of ornaments.
• צַוָּאר (tsawwār, "neck"): This word simply means neck, but in this context, it is the part of the body adorned with gold chains, drawing attention to elegance and grace.
• חֲרוּזִים (ḥărūzīm, "chains"): This word means chains or strings, especially those made of gold, highlighting the richness and value of the adornment.

Why Song of Solomon 1:10 matters

• Song of Solomon 1:10 helps clear up that the admiration is not just for natural beauty but also for how the woman presents herself, including her choice of jewelry and adornment.
• The verse emphasizes the theme of mutual appreciation and delight between the lovers, which is a central thread throughout the Song of Solomon.
• By using images of precious stones and gold, the verse connects the woman’s beauty to things of great value, showing the depth of the speaker’s affection and the poetic style of the book.