Tyndale Open Study NotesSong of Songs 7

The young women of Jerusalem talk with the man, leading him to describe the woman's beauty and express his wish to hold her (see study note on Song of Solomon 4:1–5:1).

• The man praises the woman's dancing feet and then admires her body up to her flowing hair (Song of Solomon 7:1–5).

• This daighter of the prince might not be from a royal family, but the man sees her as equal to royalty.

Your waist is a mound of wheat encircled by the lilies: The man is describing either the woman's smoothly rounded belly or her pubic area.

• pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim: The pools of Heshbon, created by a brook, are still visible today near the ruins of Heshbon on the east coast of the Dead Sea.

• the tower of Lebanon likely refers to Mount Hermon, a tall mountain overlooking the valley of Damascus, the capital of Syria. The woman's nose stands out beautifully among her facial features.

• Mount Carmel is a tall mountain range on the Mediterranean coast.

• the hair of your head like purple threads: Purple was expensive to make, so only royalty used it.

The husband talks about their intimate moments. He moves up her body and gently touches her breasts.

The man compares the woman's love and kisses to wine because they are delightful and make one feel dizzy (see Song of Solomon 1:2).

The woman suggests they visit the vineyards together to check their status and make love while there.

• Mandrakes (Hebrew duda’im) were a Middle Eastern plant used as an aphrodisiac (see Genesis 30:14–16). The roots look like a human torso. The word is a play on "my lover" (Hebrew dodi).

• at our door: All sexual pleasures are now available to them, and she will share the delights she has saved just for him.

• new...old: She thinks about the sexual experiences they have already had and new ones they will try.