How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!

SONG OF SOLOMON 7:6KJV
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What does Song of Solomon 7:6 mean?

Song of Solomon 7:6 expresses deep admiration and delight, with the speaker marveling at the beauty and pleasantness of their beloved. The verse is a heartfelt exclamation, celebrating the beloved as both lovely and a source of great joy.

In this verse, the man is speaking to the woman, praising her in the midst of a poetic description of her appearance and character. The setting is intimate and affectionate, part of a larger section where the lovers exchange compliments and express their desire for each other. The language highlights not just physical beauty but also the emotional pleasure and delight the beloved brings.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 7:6

  • "fair" (יָפָה, yafah): This word often means beautiful or lovely, emphasizing outward attractiveness but sometimes also inner qualities. Here, it underscores the speaker’s admiration for the beloved’s beauty.
  • "pleasant" (נָעֵם, na‘em): This word carries the sense of something delightful, pleasing, or enjoyable. It adds another layer, suggesting that the beloved is not only beautiful but also brings happiness and comfort.
  • "love" (אַהֲבָה, ahavah): This is a general word for love, often used for deep affection or romantic love. In this context, it is a term of endearment, addressing the beloved directly.
  • "delights" (תַּעֲנוּגִים, ta‘anugim): This word refers to pleasures or delights, indicating that the beloved is a source of many joys, not just one.

Why Song of Solomon 7:6 matters

  • Song of Solomon 7:6 shows that the admiration between the lovers is not just physical but also emotional and relational, highlighting the depth of their connection.
  • The verse helps clear up the idea that biblical love poetry is only about appearance; it also values the joy and pleasure found in the relationship itself.
  • This verse fits into the wider passage by showing the ongoing, mutual celebration between the lovers, which is a central theme throughout the Song of Solomon.

Where else these words appear

“delights” Hebrew H8588 · used in 5 verses

  • Proverbs 19:10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
  • Micah 1:16 Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.

“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 7:1 How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.
  • Jeremiah 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

“pleasant” Hebrew H5276 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 49:15 And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
  • Psalms 141:6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
  • Proverbs 9:17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

“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.