# Overview Song of Solomon Chapter 7 continues the poetic dialogue of love and admiration between the lovers, reflecting the deep affection and desire they hold for one another. This chapter opens with a detailed description of the beloved's physical beauty, expressed in a series of metaphors that highlight various parts of her body. The speaker, presumably the bridegroom, admires the graceful movements and captivating allure of his beloved, comparing her to royal and exotic imagery. This celebration of physical beauty and intimacy is set within the context of marital love, underscoring the sanctity and joy of marital union as ordained by #God. The language used is rich in sensual imagery, yet it is framed within a biblical understanding of love as a gift from God. As the chapter progresses, the beloved responds with an invitation to her lover to come away with her into the countryside, where they can enjoy each other's company and the beauty of creation. This mutual desire to be together in a private setting reflects the theme of longing and fulfillment that runs throughout the #SongofSolomon. The chapter concludes with expressions of devotion and longing, illustrating the depth of emotional and spiritual connection between the lovers. This portrayal of love serves as an allegory for the relationship between #Christ and the #Church, symbolizing the divine love that seeks intimate fellowship with the believer. As with other chapters in this book, the language is both personal and communal, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of love and its divine source. ## Theological Insights #SongOfSolomon Chapter 7 continues the theme of celebration of love and intimacy between the #bride and the #bridegroom, which is a recurring theme throughout the book. This chapter can be seen as a poetic and vivid expression of the beauty and delight found in marital love, which is a gift from #God. The detailed description of the bride's physical beauty in verses 1-5 highlights the importance of seeing and appreciating one’s spouse as a unique creation of God. This can be seen as a reflection of the #GardenOfEden where God’s creation was declared “very good” [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 1]]. The bridegroom's admiration and the affectionate terms used to describe his bride emphasize the sanctity and exclusivity of marital love. This echoes the biblical principle found in [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 5|Ephesians 5:25-33]], where the relationship between husband and wife is compared to the relationship between #Christ and the #Church, underscoring mutual respect, admiration, and self-giving love. The invitation to come away together in verse 11 reflects the biblical ideal of leaving and cleaving, as mentioned in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 2|Genesis 2:24]], further reinforcing the covenantal aspect of marriage. This imagery can also be seen as an allegory of the call of #God to His people, inviting them into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. The enjoyment of the vineyard in verses 12-13 may symbolize fruitfulness and abundance, reflecting the blessings of a committed relationship. This can be paralleled with the blessings and fruitfulness promised to those who abide in Christ [[John/John Chapter 15]]. Overall, Song of Solomon Chapter 7 highlights the beauty, joy, and sanctity of marital love, aligning with the broader biblical narrative that celebrates love and commitment as reflections of God's own covenant love for His people. ## Thematic Connections ### Celebration of Love and Beauty Song of Solomon 7 continues the theme of celebrating romantic love and physical beauty, which is a central theme throughout the book. The description of the beloved’s physical attributes is reminiscent of earlier passages like [[Song of Solomon/Song of Solomon Chapter 4]], emphasizing admiration and desire. This celebration of love aligns with the biblical affirmation of marriage and the joy found in a loving relationship, as seen in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 2]] where God declares that it is not good for man to be alone and creates a partner for him. ### Mutual Desire and Longing The mutual admiration and longing between the lovers in Song of Solomon 7 echo the desire for intimacy and connection found in other biblical narratives, such as the longing of #Jacob for #Rachel in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 29]]. This theme highlights the importance of reciprocal affection and the joy found in a committed, loving relationship. ### The Garden Imagery The recurring garden imagery in Song of Solomon, including Chapter 7, serves as a metaphor for love and fertility. This imagery is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 2]], symbolizing paradise and the ideal state of human relationships. The garden represents a place of delight and abundance, paralleling the blessings of a harmonious relationship. ### The Role of Praise and Affirmation The expressions of praise and admiration in this chapter underscore the biblical principle of affirming and valuing one another in relationships. This theme is similar to the exhortations found in [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 31]], which highlight the virtue of a woman and the importance of recognizing and celebrating her worth. The act of verbal affirmation strengthens the bond between partners and reflects the love and respect that should be present in a relationship. ### Love as a Reflection of Divine Intimacy The intimate and passionate love depicted in Song of Solomon can be seen as a reflection of the divine intimacy between God and His people. This theme is echoed in the prophetic writings, such as in [[Hosea/Hosea Chapter 2]], where God expresses His desire to betroth His people to Himself in faithfulness. The passionate love between the lovers in Song of Solomon serves as an allegory for the deep and abiding love that God has for His covenant people. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Beauty of the Bride The imagery and language in Song of Solomon 7, celebrating the beauty and grace of the beloved, prophetically align with the depiction of the #Church as the #Bride of #Christ in the New Testament. This metaphor is prominent in passages such as [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 5|Ephesians 5:25-27]], where the Church is described as being prepared and presented to Christ in purity and splendor. The celebration of beauty and love in this chapter serves as a foretaste of the ultimate union between Christ and His Church, highlighting themes of love, devotion, and admiration. ### The Love of the Shepherd The love expressed in Song of Solomon 7 echoes the love of the #GoodShepherd, a theme fulfilled in Jesus as described in [[John/John Chapter 10|John 10:11]], where Jesus declares Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. The passionate and unwavering love depicted in this chapter can be seen as a reflection of Christ's sacrificial love for His followers, emphasizing the deep, personal relationship between the Savior and His people. ### The Vineyard Motif The imagery of the vineyard in Song of Solomon 7:12 resonates with prophetic themes related to #Israel and the #Messiah. The vineyard often symbolizes Israel, as seen in passages like [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 5|Isaiah 5:1-7]], where God tends to His vineyard, signifying His care and expectation. In the New Testament, Jesus uses the vineyard metaphor in [[John/John Chapter 15|John 15:1-8]], presenting Himself as the true vine and His followers as the branches, highlighting the need for connection and fruitfulness in the Kingdom of God. This vineyard motif underscores the fulfillment of God's promises through Christ, who establishes a new covenant relationship with His people. ## Verses - **Song of Solomon 7:1** - "How beautiful are your sandaled feet, O queenly maiden. Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of a skilled craftsman." - **Song of Solomon 7:2** - "Your navel is perfectly formed like a goblet filled with mixed wine. Between your thighs lies a mound of wheat bordered with lilies." - **Song of Solomon 7:3** - "Your breasts are like two fawns, twin fawns of a gazelle." - **Song of Solomon 7:4** - "Your neck is as beautiful as an ivory tower. Your eyes are like the sparkling pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim. Your nose is as fine as the tower of Lebanon overlooking Damascus." - **Song of Solomon 7:5** - "Your head is as majestic as Mount Carmel, and the sheen of your hair radiates royalty. The king is held captive by its tresses." - **Song of Solomon 7:6** - "Oh, how beautiful you are! How pleasing, my love, how full of delights!" - **Song of Solomon 7:7** - "You are slender like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters of fruit." - **Song of Solomon 7:8** - "I said, ‘I will climb the palm tree and take hold of its fruit.’ May your breasts be like grape clusters, and the fragrance of your breath like apples." - **Song of Solomon 7:9** - "May your kisses be as exciting as the best wine, flowing gently over lips and teeth." - **Song of Solomon 7:10** - "I am my lover’s, and he claims me as his own." - **Song of Solomon 7:11** - "Come, my love, let us go out to the fields and spend the night among the wildflowers." - **Song of Solomon 7:12** - "Let us get up early and go to the vineyards to see if the grapevines have budded, if the blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates have bloomed. There I will give you my love." - **Song of Solomon 7:13** - "There the mandrakes give off their fragrance, and the finest fruits are at our door, new delights as well as old, which I have saved for you, my lover." ### Cross-References by Chapter - **Beauty and Love** - [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 29]], [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 5]] - **Imagery of Nature** - [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 104]], [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 35]] - **Belonging and Devotion** - [[Ruth/Ruth Chapter 1]], [[Hosea/Hosea Chapter 2]]