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.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
In ancient culture, feet were typically considered the lowest, least noble part of the body—yet here they're celebrated as beautiful when properly adorned. This may reflect the bride dancing or moving gracefully. Jewelry and skilled craftsmanship were highly valued in Israel, with artisans like Bezalel filled with God's Spirit for creating beautiful works (Exodus 31:1-5). The description celebrates both natural beauty and intentional adornment. Church fathers saw the bride's movement (beautiful feet) as the Church's missionary advance. The 'prince's daughter' language connects to Psalm 45:13—'The king's daughter is all glorious within.' The imagery affirms that believers are nobility through adoption into God's royal family (1 Peter 2:9).
Questions for Reflection
- How does being called a 'prince's daughter'—royalty through relationship with Christ—change how you view your identity and calling?
- What does it mean to have 'beautiful feet'—being ready and willing to carry the gospel to others?
- How does recognizing yourself as God's craftsmanship—'the work of the hands of a cunning workman'—affect your self-understanding?
Analysis & Commentary
How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! The bridegroom begins an extended celebration of the bride's beauty, working from feet upward. Calling her bat-nadiv (בַּת־נָדִיב, prince's daughter/noble one) emphasizes her dignity and royal status—she's not common but elevated by relationship with the king. The focus on feet 'with shoes' (בַּנְּעָלִים, banne'alim) may suggest readiness for travel or dance, or simply the adornment that enhances natural beauty.
The joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman (חַמּוּקֵי יְרֵכַיִךְ כְּמוֹ חֲלָאִים מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵי אָמָּן)—the imagery celebrates craftsmanship and artistic beauty. The Hebrew chammuqey can mean 'curves' or 'roundings,' and chala'im refers to ornaments or jewels. Church tradition saw the 'feet with shoes' as readiness to proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:15; Romans 10:15). The 'cunning workman' is God Himself, who crafts believers as His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10).