Song of Solomon 7:2
Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
In agricultural ancient Israel, wheat was the primary grain staple, representing sustenance and prosperity. A 'heap of wheat' indicated harvest abundance and blessing. Lilies grew wild and cultivated, celebrated for beauty (Matthew 6:28-29). Mixed wine was served at feasts and celebrations. The Song's detailed celebration of the human body counters both ascetic denial of the body's goodness and pornographic reduction of persons to mere objects. The imagery presents the beloved as both beautiful and life-giving. Church fathers sometimes allegorized the 'wheat' as Christ's body (the Eucharist) and the 'lilies' as martyrs or pure believers. The Reformers recovered appreciation for marital sexuality as God's good gift, neither shameful nor idolatrous.
Questions for Reflection
- How does biblical celebration of the body's beauty challenge both prudish shame and cultural objectification of sexuality?
- What does it mean to be a source of 'abundance' (like wheat) and 'beauty' (like lilies) in your relationships?
- How can you cultivate an understanding of sexuality that honors both its physical pleasure and its covenant context?
Analysis & Commentary
Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor (שָׁרְרֵךְ אַגַּן הַסַּהַר אַל־יֶחְסַר הַמָּזֶג)—the Hebrew shorer (שָׁרֵר) may refer to the navel or more broadly the midsection. The 'round goblet' (aggan hassahar) suggests a curved, well-formed vessel. The phrase 'wanteth not liquor' (al-yechsar hammazeg) means it never lacks mixed wine—suggesting abundance, festivity, and satisfaction. The imagery celebrates the bride's form while emphasizing that she's a source of delight and abundance, never lacking.
Thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies (בִּטְנֵךְ עֲרֵמַת חִטִּים סוּגָה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים)—wheat represents nourishment, prosperity, and the harvest's blessing. Lilies symbolize beauty and purity. The combination celebrates both function (nourishment) and beauty (lilies). Church tradition saw wheat as the bread of life (Christ) offered through the Church, surrounded by the beauty of holiness. The imagery affirms the goodness of the physical body and marital intimacy.