Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Contrast with the bride's state by nature (Isaiah 1:6) her state by grace (Song of Solomon 4:1-7), "perfect through His comeliness put upon her" (Ezekiel 16:14; John 15:3). The praise of Jesus Christ, unlike that of the world, hurts not, but edifies; as His, not ours, is the glory (John 5:44; Revelation 4:10-11). Seven features of beauty are specified (Song of Solomon 4:1-5) ("lips" and "speech" are but one feature, Song of Solomon 4:3), the number for perfection. To each of these is attached a comparison from nature: the resemblances consist not so much in outward likeness, as in the combined sensations of delight produced by contemplating these natural objects.
doves'--the large melting eye of the Syrian dove appears especially beautiful amid the foliage of its native groves: so the bride's "eyes within her locks" (Luke 7:44). MAURER for "locks," has "veil"; but locks suit the connection better: so the Hebrew is translated (Isaiah 47:2). The dove was the only bird counted "clean" for sacrifice. Once the heart was "the cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Grace makes the change.
eyes-- (Matthew 6:22; Ephesians 1:18; contrast Matthew 5:28; Ephesians 4:18; 1 John 2:16). Chaste and guileless ("harmless," Matthew 10:16, Margin; John 1:47). John the Baptist, historically, was the "turtledove" (Song of Solomon 2:12), with eye directed to the coming Bridegroom: his Nazarite unshorn hair answers to "locks" (John 1:29, John 1:36).
hair . . . goats--The hair of goats in the East is fine like silk. As long hair is her glory, and marks her subjection to man (1 Corinthians 11:6-15), so the Nazarite's hair marked his subjection and separation unto God. (Compare Judges 16:17, with 2 Corinthians 6:17; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9). Jesus Christ cares for the minutest concerns of His saints (Matthew 10:30).
appear from--literally, "that lie down from"; lying along the hillside, they seem to hang from it: a picture of the bride's hanging tresses.
Gilead--beyond Jordan: there stood "the heap of witness" (Genesis 31:48).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Song of Solomon 4:1
Song of Solomon 4:1
Song of Solomon 4:7
Song of Solomon 5:11
Song of Solomon 6:6
Song of Solomon 7:4
Song of Solomon 7:5
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