Song of Solomon 6:7
As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Pomegranates grew abundantly in ancient Israel and symbolized fertility, abundance, and blessing. Their crown-like calyx made them royal imagery. The fruit's hundreds of seeds symbolized fruitfulness and prosperity. Pomegranates featured prominently in temple decoration and priestly garments, connecting beauty with holiness. In ancient Near Eastern love poetry, pomegranates represented sensuality and delight. The bride's temples (cheeks) are compared to a pomegranate's deep red interior—suggesting both physical beauty and the inner glow of virtue. Church fathers saw the pomegranate as Christ's righteousness covering believers, or as the many graces within the soul. Medieval interpretation connected the pomegranate's crown to the crown of life promised to faithful believers (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that Christ finds delight in contemplating your beauty—the righteousness He's given you—again and again?
- How does the imagery of the pomegranate (beautiful outside, abundant within) apply to your spiritual life?
- Why is modesty (the 'blush' suggested by the temple/cheeks) an attractive quality in biblical perspective?
Analysis & Commentary
As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks (כְּפֶלַח הָרִמּוֹן רַקָּתֵךְ)—this exact phrase repeats from 4:3, demonstrating love's delight in recurring contemplation of the beloved's beauty. The pomegranate (רִמּוֹן, rimmon) was highly valued in Israel for beauty, flavor, and symbolic significance. Its deep red color represented vitality and life. The 'temples' (raqqah, רַקָּה) likely refers to the cheeks or the side of the face—the part that blushes, revealing inner emotion and modesty.
Pomegranates appeared on the high priest's robe (Exodus 28:33-34) and decorated Solomon's temple (1 Kings 7:18), connecting to worship and God's presence. The imagery celebrates both outward beauty (color, form) and inner character (the blush of modesty). Church interpretation saw the pomegranate's many seeds representing the Church's unity in diversity—many believers forming one body. The repetition teaches that genuine love never tires of contemplating the beloved's beauty.