Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.

SONG OF SOLOMON 7:4KJV
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Song of Solomon 7:4 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 7:4 mean?

Song of Solomon 7:4 uses poetic comparisons to praise the beloved’s beauty, describing her neck as an ivory tower, her eyes as pools in Heshbon, and her nose as a tower facing Damascus. These images highlight grace, dignity, and striking presence in the beloved’s appearance.

In this verse, the man is speaking to the woman, continuing a series of vivid compliments. The setting is a romantic dialogue, with the man admiring specific features using grand and elegant imagery familiar to ancient readers. The verse paints a picture of beauty that is both noble and captivating, using references to well-known places and objects to express admiration.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 7:4

  • "neck" (צַוָּאר, tsavvar): The neck is compared to a "tower" (מִגְדָּל, migdal), suggesting not just beauty but also dignity and uprightness, as towers were symbols of strength and prominence.
  • "ivory" (שֵׁן, shen): Ivory was rare and precious, so describing the neck as an "ivory tower" emphasizes smoothness, elegance, and high value.
  • "fishpools" (בְּרֵכוֹת, berekot): The eyes are likened to calm, clear pools, suggesting depth and tranquility. The mention of "Heshbon" (חֶשְׁבּוֹן, cheshbon) connects the image to a real location known for its water features.
  • "nose" (אַף, aph): The nose is compared to a "tower of Lebanon" (מִגְדַּל הַלְּבָנוֹן, migdal haLevanon), which "looketh toward Damascus," highlighting a noble, distinguished profile that stands out, much like a tower on a landscape.

Why Song of Solomon 7:4 matters

  • Song of Solomon 7:4 shows how ancient love poetry used grand, even architectural, metaphors to express admiration, which can seem unusual to modern readers but was meaningful in its original context.
  • The verse emphasizes not just physical beauty but also qualities like dignity, value, and presence, suggesting that the beloved’s appeal goes beyond surface appearance.
  • Understanding these images helps clarify that the Song of Solomon celebrates love with language that is both personal and rooted in the culture and geography of its time.

Where else these words appear

“fishpools” Hebrew H1295 · used in 15 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
  • 2 Kings 20:20 And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
  • Isaiah 7:3 Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;

“looketh” Hebrew H6822 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • 2 Kings 9:20 And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
  • Jeremiah 6:17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

“Heshbon” Hebrew H2809 · used in 37 verses

  • Numbers 21:25 And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.
  • Deuteronomy 3:2 And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
  • Joshua 21:39 Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.

“neck” Hebrew H6677 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 27:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
  • Job 15:26 He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:
  • Jeremiah 27:11 But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.