Song of Solomon 7:9
And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
In ancient Israel, wine was served at feasts, weddings, and celebrations—the best wine was reserved for honored guests and special occasions (John 2:10). The phrase 'causing lips of those that are asleep to speak' is enigmatic but suggests wine's enlivening, loosening effect—even sleeping persons might murmur or move their lips. Some interpreters see this as describing wine's quality (so smooth it seems to flow even to unconscious persons), others as the bride's playful hyperbole about her beloved's kisses. Church tradition connected this to Christ as the true vine (John 15:1) whose love invigorates spiritually dead souls. Early monastics saw the 'best wine' as contemplative union with God that surpasses all earthly pleasures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's love function as 'the best wine' in your life—bringing joy, celebration, and refreshment?
- What does mutual delight in covenant relationship look like practically—how do both parties seek to bring pleasure to the other?
- In what ways does God's love 'awaken' you from spiritual sleep or numbness?
Analysis & Commentary
And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved (וְחִכֵּךְ כְּיֵין הַטּוֹב)—the bridegroom continues celebrating sensory delights, comparing the bride's kisses to finest wine. Wine represented joy, celebration, and covenant blessing (Psalm 104:15). 'Best wine' (yayin hattov, יֵין הַטּוֹב) emphasizes quality and excellence. That goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak (הוֹלֵךְ לְדוֹדִי לְמֵישָׁרִים דּוֹבֵב שִׂפְתֵי יְשֵׁנִים)—the wine 'goes down smoothly' (lemesharim, לְמֵישָׁרִים) and has remarkable effects, even making sleepers' lips move.
Some translations attribute the end of verse 9 to the bride responding: 'going down smoothly for my beloved, gliding over lips and teeth.' This reading shows the bride affirming that she belongs to her beloved and desires to bring him delight—mutuality in covenant love. Church fathers saw the 'best wine' as Christ's love that surpasses all earthly pleasures, or as the word of God that refreshes and invigorates believers. The reference to 'those that are asleep' suggests love's power to awaken and enliven.