His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

SONG OF SOLOMON 5:13KJV
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Song of Solomon 5:13 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 5:13 mean?

Song of Solomon 5:13 uses rich, poetic language to describe the beloved’s physical beauty, comparing his cheeks to beds of spices and sweet flowers, and his lips to lilies dripping with fragrant myrrh. The verse paints a vivid picture of attraction and delight, focusing on the sensory experience of seeing and being near the beloved.

In this verse, the woman is speaking about her beloved, expressing her admiration for him in intimate and sensory terms. The setting is a poetic exchange between lovers, where she describes his features using images from nature and luxury, emphasizing both his attractiveness and the pleasure she finds in his presence.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 5:13

  • "Bed" (עֲרוּגָה, arugah) refers to a cultivated garden bed, often used for growing spices or flowers. This image suggests care, richness, and something tended with affection.
  • "Spices" (בֶּשֶׂם, besem) and "sweet" (מֶגֶד, meged) both point to pleasant, costly fragrances, highlighting the beloved’s desirability and the sense of delight he brings.
  • "Lips" (שָׂפָה, saphah) and "lilies" (שׁוּשַׁן, shushan) connect the beloved’s words or kisses to purity and beauty, while "dropping" (נָטַף, nataph) and "myrrh" (מֹר, mor) evoke the idea of something precious and aromatic flowing freely, adding to the sense of abundance and allure.

Why Song of Solomon 5:13 matters

  • This verse shows that the Song of Solomon is not just about physical beauty, but about the deep delight and value found in love, using sensory details to express emotional connection.
  • The language connects the beloved to images of cultivated gardens and rare spices, themes that run throughout the book, emphasizing both intimacy and the idea of love as something precious and carefully tended.
  • Understanding the poetic comparisons helps clear up the idea that these are not literal descriptions, but rather expressions of admiration and longing, using the most beautiful and valuable things known to the ancient world.