Song of Solomon 7:3: “Your breasts are like two fawns, like twin fawns of a gazelle.”
This verse is part of the bridegroom’s poetic and loving admiration for the bride, expressed through the metaphorical language of nature. It highlights the tender and intimate bond they share within the context of a committed relationship.
Extended Explanation of the Verse
The bridegroom compares the bride’s breasts to “two fawns,” emphasizing their softness, beauty, and delicacy. Fawns, or young deer, are often seen as gentle and graceful creatures, and this imagery conveys the bridegroom’s tenderness and care in describing his bride.
This verse is part of a broader passage where the bridegroom praises the bride’s physical beauty in detail. It reflects the mutual love and affection in their relationship, celebrating her as someone cherished and admired. The language is intimate yet respectful, pointing to the deep bond between the two.
Historical Context
In ancient Hebrew poetry, nature was often used to describe beauty and emotional connection. Deer and gazelles were symbols of grace and gentleness, frequently appearing in love poems to convey tenderness and admiration.
The Song of Solomon, written in the context of marriage, celebrates physical attraction and intimacy as God-given and sacred. This verse would have been understood as an expression of love and appreciation within the bounds of a committed relationship.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse reminds us that physical beauty and intimacy are part of God’s design for marriage. It reflects the way love and attraction, when expressed in a God-honoring way, can bring joy and deepen the bond between two people.
This verse also points to the importance of tenderness and care in relationships. Just as the bridegroom’s words are gentle and affirming, God calls His people to show love and respect in their relationships.
Literary Analysis
The verse uses a metaphor to convey beauty and tenderness, drawing from imagery that would have been familiar to its original audience. The comparison to twin fawns suggests balance and harmony, reinforcing the idea that the bride’s beauty is both natural and perfect in the eyes of the bridegroom.
The poetic style of the Song of Solomon is rich in sensory and emotional imagery, creating a picture of love that engages both the heart and the imagination.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Proverbs 5:18-19: “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”
- Genesis 2:24: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
- Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse highlights the importance of tenderness and respect in marriage. It encourages spouses to affirm and cherish one another, seeing their relationship as a gift from God.
It also serves as a reminder that physical intimacy is not something to be ashamed of but is a beautiful part of God’s design for marriage, meant to be enjoyed in the context of mutual love and commitment.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is tender and intimate, much like the love described in this verse. Just as the bridegroom admires the bride with care and affection, God sees His people as beautiful and cherished. His love is not distant or impersonal but deeply personal and affirming.
This verse also reflects God’s intention for human relationships to reflect His love—relationships that are marked by gentleness, respect, and mutual delight.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus’ love for His Church is described in Scripture using the metaphor of a bridegroom and bride. His love is tender, sacrificial, and affirming, much like the bridegroom’s admiration in this verse.
Ephesians 5:25-27 shows how Christ’s love sanctifies and uplifts His people, presenting them as radiant and without blemish. This connects to the way the bridegroom sees his bride—not as flawed but as beautiful and worthy of admiration.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does this verse challenge you to see physical beauty and intimacy as part of God’s good design?
- In what ways can you show tenderness and care in your relationships?
- How does the bridegroom’s admiration reflect the way God views His people—with love and delight?
- What does it mean to you that Jesus sees His Church as beautiful and cherished?
- How can this verse encourage you to celebrate and honor the relationships in your life?
This verse is a poetic reminder of the beauty and tenderness that should mark loving relationships. It invites us to embrace God’s design for intimacy and to reflect His love in the way we affirm and cherish one another.