Bible Strands
Song of Solomon 5:15
His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, as majestic as the cedars.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Shulammite woman describes her beloved’s physical form to the daughters of Jerusalem in a poetic exchange celebrating marital intimacy.
The words — The Hebrew שׁוֹקָי/ו֙ (sho.Ka/v) denotes "his legs," while מַרְאֵ֙/הוּ֙ (mar.'E./hu) translates literally to "his appearance."
The thread — The cedar imagery echoes the trees Solomon taught about from Lebanon to the hyssop (1 Kings 4:33), while the structural bases parallel the silver foundations in the tabernacle (Exodus 26:19).
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to first acknowledge the literal description of strength and royal stature before considering any symbolic application.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 4:33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.
- Revelation 1:15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.
- Exodus 26:19 with forty silver bases under the twenty frames—two bases for each frame, one under each tenon.
- Judges 13:6 So the woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me. His appearance was like the angel of God, exceedingly awesome. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name.
- Psalms 92:12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
- Song of Solomon 2:14 O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your countenance is lovely.
- Song of Solomon 4:11 Your lips, my bride, drip sweetness like the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue, and the fragrance of your garments is like the aroma of Lebanon.
- Song of Solomon 7:4 Your neck is like a tower made of ivory; your eyes are like the pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim; your nose is like the tower of Lebanon, facing toward Damascus.
- Hosea 14:7 They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.
- Zechariah 9:17 How lovely they will be, and how beautiful! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine, the young women.