How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!

SONG OF SOLOMON 4:10KJV
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Song of Solomon 4:10 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 4:10 mean?

Song of Solomon 4:10 describes the bridegroom admiring his bride, calling her love beautiful and more delightful than wine, and saying the fragrance of her perfumes surpasses all spices. The verse uses poetic language to express deep affection and the special value he places on her love and presence.

In this verse, the man (the bridegroom) is speaking to the woman (the bride), using terms of endearment like "my sister, my spouse" to show closeness and respect. The setting is a romantic exchange, where he praises not just her physical beauty but also the sweetness of her love and the pleasing scent of her oils, comparing them to the finest things known in their culture.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 4:10

  • "Fair" (יָפָה, yafah) means beautiful or lovely. The bridegroom is emphasizing the attractiveness and desirability of the bride's love, not just her appearance.
  • "Love" (דּוֹד, dod) here refers to affectionate, romantic love, highlighting the emotional and relational bond rather than just physical attraction.
  • "Sister" (אֲחוֹת, achot) and "spouse" (כַּלָּה, kallah) together show both intimacy and the formal bond of marriage, a way of expressing both friendship and covenant.
  • "Better" (טוֹב, tov) means good or better, stressing that her love is more pleasing than even the best wine, which was a symbol of joy and celebration.
  • "Ointments" (שֶׁמֶן, shemen) and "spices" (בֶּשֶׂם, besem) refer to costly perfumes, showing that her presence and affection are more precious than luxury items.

Why Song of Solomon 4:10 matters

  • This verse shows that the value placed on love and relationship goes beyond material pleasures or outward beauty, highlighting the inner qualities of the beloved.
  • The use of both "sister" and "spouse" helps clarify the deep, multi-layered relationship between the couple, which is both affectionate and committed.
  • The poetic comparisons to wine and spices connect the verse to the wider theme of celebration and delight that runs through the Song of Solomon, emphasizing joy in love and marriage.

Where else these words appear

“fair” Hebrew H3302 · used in 8 verses

  • Psalms 45:2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
  • Song of Solomon 7:6 How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!
  • Jeremiah 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

“spices” Hebrew H1314 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 25:6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
  • 1 Chronicles 9:29 Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.
  • Song of Solomon 4:14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

“better” Hebrew H2895 · used in 33 verses

  • Numbers 10:29 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
  • 1 Samuel 20:12 And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;
  • Esther 7:3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

“spouse” Hebrew H3618 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 11:31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
  • Ruth 2:22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
  • Isaiah 62:5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.