Song of Solomon 5:15
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Song of Solomon 5:15
15 His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
Chapter Context
Song of Solomon 5 is a poetic love song chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of love, worship. Written during Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient Near Eastern love poetry often used agricultural and royal imagery.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-16: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Song of Solomon and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Song of Solomon 5:15
15 His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
Analysis
His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold (shoqav amudey shesh meyusadim al adney paz, שׁוֹקָיו עַמּוּדֵי שֵׁשׁ מְיֻסָּדִים עַל־אַדְנֵי־פָז)—the beloved's legs are compared to marble pillars on gold bases. Marble pillars represented strength, permanence, and architectural beauty—supporting temples and palaces. Gold sockets indicated supreme value and stability. The beloved stands firm, unmovable, strong—his foundation is precious and sure.
His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars (mar'ehu kaLevanon bachur ka'arazim, מַרְאֵהוּ כַּלְּבָנוֹן בָּחוּר כָּאֲרָזִים)—Lebanon's cedar forests were legendary for height, strength, and fragrance. "Excellent" (bachur, בָּחוּר) means choice, select, the best. The beloved's overall appearance (mar'ehu, מַרְאֵהוּ) combines Lebanon's majestic beauty with cedars' strength and excellence. Christ stands firm (marble legs), grounded in divine worth (gold sockets), majestic and strong as Lebanon's cedars—unmovable, reliable, supremely excellent.
Historical Context
Marble pillars were architectural marvels in ancient world—supporting massive structures with beauty and strength. Solomon's temple featured marble and gold prominently (1 Kings 6-7). The beloved's legs as marble pillars on gold bases celebrated immovable strength and supreme value. Lebanon's cedar forests were ancient world's premier timber source—used in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 5:6-10). Cedars grew to enormous heights, lived for centuries, resisted decay, and produced beautiful fragrance. They symbolized strength, longevity, majesty, and incorruptibility throughout Scripture (Psalm 92:12; Isaiah 2:13). The beloved's countenance as Lebanon with excellent cedars celebrated comprehensive majesty. Early church fathers saw Christ as the immovable pillar supporting God's temple (the Church)—strong, permanent, reliable. His cedar-like excellence represented His eternal, incorruptible nature. The Reformers emphasized Christ as the Church's only foundation—all other ground is sinking sand. The Puritans taught that believers can rely completely on Christ's unchanging strength.
Reflection
- How does Christ's immovable stability (marble pillars on gold sockets) provide security amid life's uncertainties and storms?
- What aspects of Christ's "excellent" character (like Lebanon's cedars) do you find most reliable, beautiful, and worthy of trust?
- In what ways does knowing Christ stands firm—unchanging, unmovable, permanently reliable—transform how you face instability or fear?
Cross-References
- Related: 1 Kings 4:33