He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.

SONG OF SOLOMON 3:10KJV
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Song of Solomon 3:10 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 3:10 mean?

Song of Solomon 3:10 describes a beautifully crafted carriage or litter, with pillars of silver, a base of gold, a covering of purple fabric, and an interior filled with love, made for the daughters of Jerusalem to see. The verse uses rich, royal imagery to highlight the value and affection surrounding the scene.

In the context of the Song of Solomon, this verse is part of a poetic description of Solomon’s wedding procession. The speaker is likely describing the bridal litter, emphasizing its luxurious materials and the love that fills it. The "daughters of Jerusalem" are the young women witnessing this event, and the verse draws attention to both the splendor and the loving atmosphere of the occasion.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 3:10

  • "pillars" (עַמּוּדִים, ammudim): This word refers to the upright supports of the carriage, emphasizing strength and elegance, made of silver to show value and beauty.
  • "bottom" (רֶפֶד, rephed): This word means the base or seat, here described as being of gold, which adds to the sense of luxury and worth.
  • "covering" (מֶרְכָּב, merkav): This refers to the canopy or covering, made of purple, a color often associated with royalty and wealth in the ancient world.
  • "paved" (רָצַף, ratzaf): This word means to lay or pave, here used for the interior being "paved with love" (אַהֲבָה, ahavah), suggesting that love is the true foundation or filling of the carriage, not just the precious materials.

Why Song of Solomon 3:10 matters

  • The verse clears up that the focus is not just on outward luxury, but on love as the central feature of the bridal procession, making the scene both grand and deeply personal.
  • The mention of the "daughters of Jerusalem" shows that this display is meant to be witnessed and celebrated by the community, highlighting the public joy in the union.
  • This verse connects to the wider theme of the Song of Solomon, where love is portrayed as precious, beautiful, and worthy of honor, using vivid imagery to express these ideas.

Where else these words appear

“covering” Hebrew H4817 · used in 3 verses

  • Leviticus 15:9 And what saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue shall be unclean.
  • 1 Kings 4:26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.

“love” Hebrew H160 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
  • Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
  • Song of Solomon 8:4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.

“purple” Hebrew H713 · used in 38 verses

  • Exodus 25:4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
  • Exodus 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
  • Exodus 39:24 And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.

“pillars” Hebrew H5982 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
  • Exodus 39:33 And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets,
  • 2 Kings 23:3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.