SNG 7:4 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not necessarily natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for Bible-translators and others doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still early looks into the drafted texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Original SNG 7:5: Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal Speaker(s)=The groom (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX (SNG 7:5) Ὁ τράχηλός σου ὡς πύργος ἐλεφάντινος· οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου ὡς λίμναι ἐν Ἐσεβὼν, ἐν πύλαις θυγατρὸς πολλῶν· μυκτήρ σου, ὡς πύργος τοῦ Λιβάνου σκοπεύων πρόσωπον Δαμασκοῦ.
(Ho traⱪaʸlos sou hōs purgos elefantinos; hoi ofthalmoi sou hōs limnai en Esebōn, en pulais thugatros pollōn; muktaʸr sou, hōs purgos tou Libanou skopeuōn prosōpon Damaskou.)

BrTr (SNG 7:5) Thy neck is as an ivory tower; thine eyes are as pools in Esebon, by the gates of the daughter of many: thy nose is as the tower of Libanus, looking toward Damascus.

ULT Your neck, is like a tower of ivory.
⇔ Your eyes, are pools in Heshbon
⇔ by the gate of Bath Rabbim.
⇔ Your nose, is like the tower of Lebanon,
⇔ looking, to the face of Damascus.

UST Your neck is long and beautiful, like a tower made of ivory.
⇔ Your eyes sparkle like the pools of water in the city of Heshbon,
⇔ near the Bath Rabbim gate.
⇔ Your nose is beautiful like the tower in Lebanon
⇔ that faces Damascus.

BSB & MSB 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.

OEB No OEB SNG 7:4 book available

WEBBE & WMBB Your neck is like an ivory tower.
⇔ Your eyes are like the pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bathrabbim.
⇔ Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon which looks towards Damascus.

MSG ^(1-12)Shapely and graceful your sandaled feet,
  and queenly your movement—
Your limbs are lithe and elegant,
  the work of a master artist.
Your body is a chalice,
  wine-filled.
Your skin is silken and tawny
  like a field of wheat touched by the breeze.
Your breasts are like fawns,
  twins of a gazelle.
Your neck is carved ivory, curved and slender.
  Your eyes are wells of light, deep with mystery.
  Quintessentially feminine!
Your profile turns all heads,
  commanding attention.
The feelings I get when I see the high mountain ranges
  —stirrings of desire, longings for the heights—
Remind me of you,
  and I’m spoiled for anyone else!
Your beauty, within and without, is absolute,
  dear lover, close companion.
You are tall and supple, like the palm tree,
  and your full breasts are like sweet clusters of dates.
I say, “I’m going to climb that palm tree!
  I’m going to caress its fruit!”
Oh yes! Your breasts
  will be clusters of sweet fruit to me,
Your breath clean and cool like fresh mint,
  your tongue and lips like the best wine.
The Woman

NET Your neck is like a tower made of ivory.
⇔ Your eyes are the pools in Heshbon
⇔ by the gate of Bath-Rabbim.
⇔ Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon
⇔ overlooking Damascus.

LSV Your neck as a tower of the ivory,
Your eyes pools in Heshbon, near the Gate of Bath-Rabbim,
Your face as a tower of Lebanon looking to Damascus,

FBV Your neck is as elegant as a tower made of ivory. Your eyes shine like the pools of Heshbon by the Bathrabbin gate. Your nose is beautiful, prominent like the tower in Lebanon that faces Damascus.

T4T Your neck is like [SIM] a tower made of ivory.
⇔ Your eyes sparkle/shine like [MET] the pools in Heshbon city,
⇔ near the Bath-Rabbim gate.
⇔ Your nose is is as lovely as [SIM] the tower of Lebanon
⇔ which faces toward Damascus.

LEB • Your neck is like a tower of ivory;
• your eyes are pools in Heshbon at the gate of Beth Rabbim.
• Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon
• looking out over Damascus .[fn]

7:? Literally “looking out over the face of Damascus”

BBE Your neck is as a tower of ivory; your eyes like the waters in Heshbon, by the doorway of Bath-rabbim; your nose is as the tower on Lebanon looking over Damascus:

Moff your neck like an ivory tower
⇔ your head on it lofty as Karmel;
⇔ your eyes like the pools at Heshbon,
⇔ by the gate of that populous town;
⇔ your nose like the tower at Lebanon
⇔ that faces Damascus;

JPS (SNG 7:5) (7-6) Thy head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thy head like purple; the king is held captive in the tresses thereof.

ASV Thy neck is like the tower of ivory;
⇔ Thine eyes as the pools in Heshbon,
⇔ By the gate of Bath-rabbim;
⇔ Thy nose is like the tower of Lebanon
⇔ Which looketh toward Damascus.

DRA Thy neck as a tower of ivory. Thy eyes like the fishpools in Hesebon, which are in the gate of the daughter of the multitude. Thy nose is as the tower of Libanus, that looketh toward Damascus.

YLT Thy neck as a tower of the ivory, Thine eyes pools in Heshbon, near the gate of Bath-Rabbim, Thy face as a tower of Lebanon looking to Damascus,

Drby Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; Thine eyes, [like] the pools in Heshbon, By the gate of Bath-rabbim; Thy nose like the tower of Lebanon, Which looketh toward Damascus;

RV Thy neck is like the tower of ivory; thine eyes as the pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim; thy nose is like the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.
(Thy/Your neck is like the tower of ivory; thine/your eyes as the pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim; thy/your nose is like the tower of Lebanon which looketh/looks toward Damascus.)

SLT Thy neck as a tower of ivory; thine eyes pools in Heshbon, by the gate of the daughter of many: thy nose as the tower of Lebanon viewing the face of Damascus.

Wbstr Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thy eyes like the fish-pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh towards Damascus.

KJB-1769 Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.
(Thy/Your neck is as a tower of ivory; thine/your eyes like the fish-pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim: thy/your nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh/looks toward Damascus.)

KJB-1611 Thy necke is as a towre of yuory: thine eyes like the fish pooles in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose is as the towre of Lebanon, which looketh toward Damascus.
(Thy/Your neck is as a tower of ivory: thine/your eyes like the fish-pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy/your nose is as the tower of Lebanon, which looketh/looks toward Damascus.)

Bshps Thy necke is as it were a towre of iuorie: thine eyes also are lyke the water pooles that are in Hesebon, beside the port of Bathrabbim, thy nose is lyke the towre of Libanus, which loketh towarde Damascus.
(Thy/Your neck is as it were a tower of ivory: thine/your eyes also are like the water pools that are in Hesebon, beside the port of Bathrabbim, thy/your nose is like the tower of Libanus, which looketh/looks toward Damascus.)

Gnva Thy necke is like a towre of yuorie: thine eyes are like the fishe pooles in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim: thy nose is as the towre of Lebanon, that looketh toward Damascus.
(Thy/Your neck is like a tower of ivory: thine/your eyes are like the fish-pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim: thy/your nose is as the tower of Lebanon, that looketh/looks toward Damascus.)

Cvdl Thy neck is as it were a tower of yuery: Thyne eyes are like ye water poles in Hesebon, besyde the porte of Bathrabbim: Thy nose is like the tower of Libanus, which loketh towarde Damascus:
(Thy/Your neck is as it were a tower of ivory: Thine/Your eyes are like ye/you_all water poles in Hesebon, beside the port of Bathrabbim: Thy/Your nose is like the tower of Libanus, which looketh/looks toward Damascus:)

Wycl Thi necke is as a tour of yuer; thin iyen ben as cisternes in Esebon, that ben in the yate of the douyter of multitude; thi nose is as the tour of Liban, that biholdith ayens Damask.
(Thy/Your neck is as a tour of ivory; thin eyes been as cisterns in Heshbon, that been in the gate of the daughter of multitude; thy/your nose is as the tour of Lebanon, that beholdeth/beholds against Damask.)

Luth (SNG 7:5) Dein Hals ist wie ein elfenbeinerner Turm. Deine Augen sind wie die Teiche zu Hesbon, am Tor Bathrabbim. Deine Nase ist wie der Turm auf Libanon, der gegen Damaskus siehet.
(Your neck/throat is as/like a ivory tower. Your(s) eyes are as/like the pools/ponds to/for Heshbon, in/at/on_the doorway Bathrabbim. Your(s) nose is as/like the/of_the tower on/in/to Lebanon, the/of_the to/against Damascus see/look.)

ClVg Collum tuum sicut turris eburnea; oculi tui sicut piscinæ in Hesebon quæ sunt in porta filiæ multitudinis. Nasus tuus sicut turris Libani, quæ respicit contra Damascum.[fn]
(Neck/spout your(sg) like tower ivory; eyes yours(sg) like swimming_pools in/into/on Heshbon which are in/into/on gate/door daughters multitude. Nose your(sg) like tower Of_Lebanon, which looks_back on_the_contrary Damascus.)

7.4 Collum tuum. Id est, illi per quos vox exit, et esca in corpus trajicitur, qui sunt turris, quia et exemplo vitæ muniunt alias, et decorant. In ebore enim candor notatur. Oculi tui. Qui arcana inspiciunt, ut possint in aperto proloqui, qui fluenta doctrinæ auditoribus non cessant, sicut in civitate Hesebon piscinæ semper aquis abundantes, copiose populo in introitu ipsius civitatis aquam ministrant. Et bene dicuntur aquæ esse in porta civitatis, quia nemo potest Ecclesiam ingredi, nisi prius aspersus aqua doctrinæ et baptismi. Unde in introitu templi Salomonis erat mare æneum, ubi sacerdotes intraturi lavabant manus et pedes. Piscinæ. Continentes multas aquas sapientiæ et doctrinæ, ad potandum eos qui erunt in cingulo mœroris, persequente Antichristo, quæ piscinæ sunt in illa plenaria introitione utriusque multiplicitatis, quæ erit filia multitudinis. Nasus. Cautissimi discretores boni et mali, sicut et per nares odor vel fetor discernitur, quos nulla fallit hypocrisis, et eminentissimum tenent locum. Sicut turris Libani. In monte idcirco ad speculandum ponitur, ut hostes, qui veniunt, longe videantur: sic prædicatoris vita semper in alto debet firma permanere, ut incursus malignorum longe prospiciat, ut culpam, priusquam veniat, deprehendat. Contra Damascum. Damascus metropolis Syriæ, quæ multa mala intulit Isræli, et etiam captivavit: per hanc omnis multitudo dæmonum, vel nequam hominum signatur.

7.4 Neck/spout your(sg). That it_is, them through which voice exit, and food in/into/on body is_transferred, who/which are tower, because and example of_life they_fortify others, and they_adorn. In ivory because whiteness/brilliance is_noted. The_eyes yours(sg). Who secrets they_inspect, as can in/into/on open to_speak_out, who/which flowing doctrines to_the_listeners not/no they_cease, like in/into/on city Heshbon swimming_pools always in_the_waters abundant, eloquently to_the_people in/into/on entrance of_his/her_own of_the_city water they_serve. And well are_said water to_be in/into/on gate/door of_the_city, because nobody/no_one can assembly/church to_enter, except first/before sprinkled water doctrines and baptism. From_where/who in/into/on entrance temple Solomon was the_sea brass, where priests about_to_enter they_were_washing hands and feet. Swimming_pools. Containing fines waters of_wisdom and doctrines, to to_drink them who/which they_will_be in/into/on sash/belt sorrowful, pursuing Antichrist, which swimming_pools are in/into/on that full entry of_both multiplicity, which will_be daughter multitude. Nose. Most_cautious judges good and evil, like and through you_would_swim smell or fetor is_distinguished, which none deceives hypocrisy, and most_eminent they_hold place. Like tower Of_Lebanon. In mountain therefore to to_be_watched is_placed, as enemies, who/which they_come, far_away they_may_seem: so of_the_preacher life always in/into/on high must firma to_continue, as assaults of_evil_(people) far_away may_foresee, as guilt, before let_him_come, may_detect. Contra Damascus. Damascus chief_city Syria, which fine evil brought Israeli, and also took_captive: through this everyone multitude/crowd demons, or wicked/worthless of_men is_signed/sealed.

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:4–8:4: The man praised the woman and sang about springtime

In this section the man described the woman in two separate speeches (6:4–10 and 7:1–10). Some verses are difficult to understand, especially 6:11–13, and it is important to think about them carefully. The woman responded to the man in 7:11 and continued to speak to the end of the section at 8:4.

The verse numbering in the Hebrew text is different from the BSB and a majority of English versions. The Hebrew text begins chapter 7 where the BSB begins 6:13, so in chapter 7 the verses in the Hebrew text are one number higher than the verse numbers in the BSB. For example, 6:13–7:13 in the BSB is 7:1–14 in the Hebrew text (and also in the NJB and NJPS). It is helpful to be aware that some commentaries follow the Hebrew verse numbering. The Notes will follow the verse numbers in the BSB (along with the majority of English versions).

Paragraph 7:1–10 The man praised the woman and she responded

In 7:1–9a the man sang another praise song to the woman, and then she responded in 7:9b–10. Here the man used a different order to describe her beauty. He began with her feet and moved upward to her head as the final focus. In other descriptions (4:1–5, 5:10–16, and 6:4–7) he began with the head and moved downward. Here, he described several parts of her body that he described earlier in the book (neck, eyes, breasts, hair, and head), and he mentioned some other parts for the first time. Notice that 7:3 is identical to 4:5a.

Scholars differ about whether the woman was dancing in this section. In 6:13 the woman said that she did not want spectators to look at her as though she were a dancer. In 7:1–10 the man did not describe her movements, but only her physical features. So, she was probably not dancing in this unit. Some scholars think that she was naked or dressed in transparent clothing, but that idea is not supported in the text.

These verses have many metaphors and similes, and scholars differ about how to interpret some of them. The Notes will discuss each one and give translation suggestions.

7:4a

Your neck is like a tower made of ivory;

Your neck is like an ivory tower. (RSV)
Your neck is as beautiful and strong as an ivory tower.

Your neck is like a tower made of ivory: Here the man compared the woman’s neck to a tower, as he also did in 4:4. In 4:4 he compared her neck to the tower of David. Here he compared it to an ivory tower. Ivory is smooth and beautiful, so the comparison indicates that the woman’s neck was beautiful. A tower is straight and strong, and that comparison implies that she had a good character. She was firm and dignified.

Some other ways to translate the comparison are:

Your neck is as beautiful as an ivory tower (NLT)

Your neck is like a tower made of precious/pure ivory

7:4b

your eyes are like the pools of Heshbon

Your eyes are pools in Heshbon, (RSV)
Your eyes are like the sparkling pools in Heshbon, (NLT)

your eyes are like the pools of Heshbon: In this clause the man compared the woman’s eyes to pools (of water) of Heshbon. The text does not specify how her eyes were like pools. It may imply that her eyes reflected light like the water in the pools reflected it. The light shines on the water and makes it sparkle, and her eyes also sparkled like that.It is also possible that the comparison emphasizes the depth and mystery of her eyes, just as the pools in Heshbon are deep and mysterious. Here is another way to translate this:

Your eyes are like the sparkling pools in Heshbon. (NLT)

Heshbon: Heshbon was a city located in the land of Moab. It was east of the Jordan River valley. It may be helpful in your translation to indicate that Heshbon is a city.For more information about Heshbon, see the article by Lawrence T. Geraty in Anchor Bible Dictionary, Volume 3, pages 181–82. For example:

in the city of Heshbon (GNT)

7:4c

by the gate of Bath-rabbim;

at Bath-rabbim gate.
and like the beautiful pools beside the gate/entrance called Bathrabbim.

by the gate of Bath-rabbim: The phrase by the gate of Bath-rabbim is part of an extended metaphor that describes the pools in Heshbon in 7:4b. This phrase does not describe the woman’s eyes. It tells where the “pools of Heshbon” were located. They were near the city gate called Bath-rabbim.

Some other ways to translate the phrase by the gate of Bath-rabbim are:

by the Bath-rabbim gate

near the city gate that people call Bath-rabbim Gate

7:4d

your nose is like the tower of Lebanon,

Your nose reminds me of the tower in Lebanon
Your nose is as lovely as the tower of Lebanon (GNT)

7:4e

facing toward Damascus.

that faces toward Damascus.
from which a person can see the city of Damascus.

7:4d-e

your nose is like the tower of Lebanon, facing toward Damascus: The clause your nose is like the tower of Lebanon, facing toward Damascus is a simile. It compares the woman’s nose to a tower in a particular place. Scholars have different views about what the word tower refers to here:

It refers to a particular tower at or near Damascus. For example:
Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon looking toward Damascus. (NIV) (BSB, NIV, NAB, NASB, NET, NJB, NJPS, NLT, GNT)
It refers to any tower in Lebanon that overlooks Damascus. For example:
Your nose is like a Lebanese tower facing Damascus. (GW) (RSV, ESV, GW)
It refers to a mountain near Damascus. For example:
Your nose is like the mountain of Lebanon that looks down on Damascus. (NCV) (CEV, NCV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most English versions. Notice that the author also used a tower to describe the woman’s neck in 7:4a. There he referred to any tower made of ivory, but here in 7:4d he probably referred to a specific tower.

your nose is like the tower of Lebanon: Here the author compares the woman’s nose to a particular tower in the region of Lebanon. If a person stood on the tower, he could see the city of Damascus.

The author did not tell how the woman’s nose is like that tower. However, the tower was probably elegant, beautiful, and majestic. In some languages it may be necessary to make the comparison more explicit. For example:

Your nose is as fine as the tower of Lebanon overlooking Damascus. (NLT)

Your nose is as lovely as the tower of Lebanon that stands guard at Damascus.

tower of Lebanon: The phrase tower of Lebanon refers to a tower in the region of Lebanon. The word tower was used in 4:4. For more information on how to translate this word, see the note there.

Lebanon: Lebanon is mentioned in 3:9; 4:8, 11, 15; and 5:15. You should spell it in the same way in each of these places. For more information about Lebanon, see the note on “from Lebanon” in 4:8a–b.

facing toward Damascus: The phrase facing toward Damascus describes the tower of Lebanon, not the woman’s nose. This phrase indicates that the tower of Lebanon was near the city of Damascus so that people could look down from the tower and see the city. It may imply that the tower helped citizens to guard Damascus. When they climbed the tower, they could see whether an enemy was coming. Other ways to translate the phrase are:

from which guards/protectors can look down on the city o? Damascus

that stands guard at Damascus (GNT)

where a soldier/person can see if enemies are coming and warn the people of Damascus

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

צַוָּארֵ֖⁠ךְ כְּ⁠מִגְדַּ֣ל הַ⁠שֵּׁ֑ן

(Some words not found in UHB: neck_of,your [is]_like_(the),tower_of of_(the),ivory eyes_of,your pools in,Heshbon on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in gate_of daughter_of -rabbim nose_of,your [is]_like,the_tower_of of_(the),Lebanon looking face/surface_of Damascus )

The man is saying that the woman’s neck is like a tower that is adorned with ivory (not made of ivory) because the woman’s neck is beautiful, tall, and slender. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: [Your neck is beautiful and slender] or [Your neck is beautiful and tall like a tower that people have adorned with ivory] or [Your neck is lovely and tall like a tower decorated with ivory]

Note 2 topic: translate-unknown

הַ⁠שֵּׁ֑ן

See how you translated the term ivory in [5:14](../05/14.md).

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

עֵינַ֜יִ⁠ךְ בְּרֵכ֣וֹת בְּ⁠חֶשְׁבּ֗וֹן עַל־שַׁ֨עַר֙ בַּת־רַבִּ֔ים

eyes_of,your (Some words not found in UHB: neck_of,your [is]_like_(the),tower_of of_(the),ivory eyes_of,your pools in,Heshbon on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in gate_of daughter_of -rabbim nose_of,your [is]_like,the_tower_of of_(the),Lebanon looking face/surface_of Damascus )

The man is speaking of the woman’s eyes as if they were clear pools of water in the city of Heshbon. The man does not say how the woman’s eyes are like pools in Heshbon. It may be that the woman’s eyes sparkle or shine in the light like when light shines on water, that her eyes look mysterious and deep (and possibly dark) like a deep pool of water, or that her eyes reflect light like a pool of water. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Your eyes shine like the sun reflecting off the pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath Rabbim] or [Your eyes are deep and mysterious like the pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath Rabbim]

Note 4 topic: translate-names

בְּ⁠חֶשְׁבּ֗וֹן

The word Heshbon is the name of a city.

Note 5 topic: translate-names

עַל־שַׁ֨עַר֙ בַּת־רַבִּ֔ים

on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in (Some words not found in UHB: neck_of,your [is]_like_(the),tower_of of_(the),ivory eyes_of,your pools in,Heshbon on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in gate_of daughter_of -rabbim nose_of,your [is]_like,the_tower_of of_(the),Lebanon looking face/surface_of Damascus )

Bath Rabbim is the name of this gate. Alternate translation: [by the gate called Bath Rabbim] or [by the gate that people call Bath Rabbim]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

אַפֵּ⁠ךְ֙ כְּ⁠מִגְדַּ֣ל הַ⁠לְּבָנ֔וֹן צוֹפֶ֖ה פְּנֵ֥י דַמָּֽשֶׂק

The man is saying that the woman’s nose is like the tower of Lebanon that faces toward the city of Damascus because the woman’s nose was high and/or long (attractive in that culture) and beautiful and made her look dignified and impressive like the tower of Lebanon. This tower was high and was used as a military watch tower. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: [Your nose is beautiful and makes you look dignified] or [Your nose is long and beautiful like the tower in Lebanon that faces Damascus] or [Your nose is high and beautiful like the tower in Lebanon that faces Damascus]

Parallel SNG 7:4