Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

SONG OF SOLOMON 1:2KJV
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Song of Solomon 1:2 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 1:2 mean?

Song of Solomon 1:2 expresses a longing for intimacy, using the image of a kiss to describe a deep desire for love that is more delightful than wine. The verse uses romantic language to highlight how precious and satisfying this love is to the speaker.

In this verse, the woman is speaking, addressing either her beloved directly or speaking about him in his absence. The setting is poetic and intimate, with the woman openly expressing her yearning for closeness and affection. The comparison to wine emphasizes the pleasure and joy she finds in her beloved’s love, suggesting it is even more enjoyable and desirable than the finest earthly pleasures.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 1:2

  • "kiss" (נָשַׁק, nashaq): This word means "to kiss" and is used here to convey both affection and desire. In ancient Hebrew poetry, a kiss often symbolized not just physical closeness but also emotional connection.
  • "love" (דּוֹד, dod): This word refers to love in the sense of belovedness or passionate affection. It is not the general word for love but one that often points to romantic or intimate love, highlighting the special bond between the two people.
  • "better" (טוֹב, tov): This word means "good" or "better," and its use here stresses that the love being described surpasses even the most enjoyable experiences, like drinking wine.
  • "wine" (יַיִן, yayin): Wine in ancient Israel was a symbol of celebration, pleasure, and abundance. Comparing love to wine underlines how deeply pleasurable and valued this relationship is.

Why Song of Solomon 1:2 matters

  • Song of Solomon 1:2 clears up the idea that the Bible avoids or downplays romantic love; instead, it openly celebrates it as something beautiful and desirable.
  • The verse sets the tone for the entire book, showing that the Song of Solomon is a collection of love poetry that values both emotional and physical affection within a committed relationship.
  • The comparison to wine helps readers understand the intensity and delight of the love being described, which is a recurring theme throughout the Song of Solomon.

Where else these words appear

“kisses” Hebrew H5390 · used in 2 verses

  • Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

“kiss” Hebrew H5401 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 27:26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
  • Exodus 4:27 And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.
  • 1 Kings 19:20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

“love” Hebrew H1730 · used in 53 verses

  • Leviticus 10:4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.
  • Song of Solomon 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
  • Song of Solomon 6:1 Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.

“wine” Hebrew H3196 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
  • Isaiah 24:9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.