Song of Solomon 6:7

As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.

Song of Solomon 6:7 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the Song of Solomon, a book of love poetry that celebrates the deep affection between a bride and her bridegroom. In this passage, the bridegroom praises the bride’s beauty with vivid word pictures. The pomegranate was a familiar fruit in the ancient Near East, valued for its sweetness and its many seeds hidden inside a firm skin. It was also a symbol of fertility, abundance, and beauty in that culture.

Meaning

The word “temples” refers to the sides of the face, and “locks” means the hair that covers them. The comparison to a piece of pomegranate suggests a reddish glow and a delicate beauty that is partly hidden. Just as the seeds of a pomegranate are a delightful surprise when the fruit is opened, so the bride’s hidden features are precious and captivating to the bridegroom. The phrase “within thy locks” also hints at modesty; her beauty is not flaunted but discovered by the one who loves her. This hidden quality makes the praise more intimate and personal.

Biblical connections

The verse repeats a similar description found in Song of Solomon 4:3, which confirms the constancy of her beauty. In the Old Testament, pomegranates were used as decorations on the pillars of the temple, as recorded in 1 Kings 7:42. There they symbolized fruitfulness and the blessings of God in the sacred place. Here the same fruit becomes a picture of human beauty and worth. The Song of Solomon has often been read as an allegory of the love between God and His people, or between Christ and the Church. In that light, the bridegroom’s admiration reflects God’s delight in the beauty He has placed within His people.

Application

This verse teaches that true beauty is not only outward but also inward. The bride’s hidden qualities are what the bridegroom treasures. In the same way, character, virtue, and inner grace are more valuable than external appearance. The verse also encourages us to notice the small, unique details in the people around us. Just as the bridegroom admires the bride’s hidden temples, we can learn to appreciate the quiet strengths and gentle qualities that make each person special. Such attention reflects the care and love that God shows to each of us.

Reflection

The hidden nature of the bride’s beauty reminds us that God sees and values what is concealed from others. He takes joy in the depths of our hearts, not just in what we show publicly. This verse invites us to cultivate an intimate relationship with God, allowing Him to know us fully and to transform us from within. It also calls us to offer the same patient, attentive love to others, looking beyond the surface to discover the hidden beauty that God has placed in every person. As we grow in this kind of love, we reflect the very heart of God, who delights in the hidden graces He has sown in His people.