Song of Solomon 5:14

His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

Song of Solomon 5:14 (KJV)

Context

Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, is a poetic book in the Old Testament attributed to King Solomon. It explores the intimate relationship between a bride and groom. This verse belongs to a larger passage in which the bride describes her beloved’s appearance from head to foot, using precious metals, stones, and materials to convey his beauty and worth.

Meaning

The bride describes her beloved’s hands as “gold rings set with the beryl.” Gold is associated with purity and great value, while the beryl, a gemstone ranging from pale blue to green, was commonly worn in rings. The circular form of a ring was considered perfect and complete. Since hands are the instruments of action, this imagery suggests that the beloved’s works are rich, pure, and precious.

The second image describes his belly, or body, as “bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.” Ivory, prized for its smoothness and whiteness, signifies purity, holiness, and firmness. The word “bright” suggests it is polished to shine. Sapphires, precious blue gemstones, overlay the ivory, adding richness and worth. The Hebrew word for “belly” can also be rendered as “bowels,” which in biblical idiom often represents the seat of compassion, love, and mercy.

Biblical connections

This verse is part of a series of physical descriptions that culminates in Song of Solomon 5:16, where the bride declares, “This is my beloved, and this is my friend.” The imagery of hands and body as precious materials points to the beauty, worth, and perfection of the beloved’s works and his compassionate nature.

Application

Song of Solomon is not solely about physical beauty. It also serves as an allegory for the love between God and His people, Israel, and many interpreters see the bridegroom as a type of Christ. The preciousness of his hands can remind believers that Christ’s actions are pure and valuable, while the ivory and sapphires of his body speak of His holiness and His deep compassion and mercy toward His people.

Reflection

Interpreting Song of Solomon can be challenging because of its rich symbolism. Some scholars read it as an allegory of the love between Christ and the Church in the New Testament. The book is open to various interpretations, and its deeper meaning can differ based on theological frameworks. Reading this verse in context, with attention to its poetic nature, helps believers appreciate both its literal beauty and its spiritual significance.