Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Contrast with the bride's state by nature (Isaiah 1:6) her state by grace (Song of Solomon 4:1-7), "perfect through His comeliness put upon her" (Ezekiel 16:14; John 15:3). The praise of Jesus Christ, unlike that of the world, hurts not, but edifies; as His, not ours, is the glory (John 5:44; Revelation 4:10-11). Seven features of beauty are specified (Song of Solomon 4:1-5) ("lips" and "speech" are but one feature, Song of Solomon 4:3), the number for perfection. To each of these is attached a comparison from nature: the resemblances consist not so much in outward likeness, as in the combined sensations of delight produced by contemplating these natural objects.
doves'—the large melting eye of the Syrian dove appears especially beautiful amid the foliage of its native groves: so the bride's "eyes within her locks" (Luke 7:44). MAURER for "locks," has "veil"; but locks suit the connection better: so the Hebrew is translated (Isaiah 47:2). The dove was the only bird counted "clean" for sacrifice. Once the heart was "the cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Grace makes the change.
eyes— (Matthew 6:22; Ephesians 1:18; contrast Matthew 5:28; Ephesians 4:18; I John 2:16). Chaste and guileless ("harmless," Matthew 10:16, Margin; John 1:47). John the Baptist, historically, was the "turtledove" (Song of Solomon 2:12), with eye directed to the coming Bridegroom: his Nazarite unshorn hair answers to "locks" (John 1:29, John 1:36).
hair . . . goats—The hair of goats in the East is fine like silk. As long hair is her glory, and marks her subjection to man (I Corinthians 11:6-15), so the Nazarite's hair marked his subjection and separation unto God. (Compare Judges 16:17, with II Corinthians 6:17; Titus 2:14; I Peter 2:9). Jesus Christ cares for the minutest concerns of His saints (Matthew 10:30).
appear from—literally, "that lie down from"; lying along the hillside, they seem to hang from it: a picture of the bride's hanging tresses.
Gilead—beyond Jordan: there stood "the heap of witness" (Genesis 31:48).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Song of Solomon 4:1:
Song of Solomon 4:1
Song of Solomon 4:1
Song of Solomon 4:7
Song of Solomon 5:11
Song of Solomon 6:6
Song of Solomon 7:4
Song of Solomon 7:5
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