King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 5:15 Mean?

Song of Solomon 5:15 in the King James Version says “His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.”

Song of Solomon 5:15 · KJV

Context

13

His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. sweet flowers: or, towers of perfumes

14

His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

15

His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

16

His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. mouth: Heb. palate

Read Song of Solomon 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold (shoqav amudey shesh meyusadim al adney paz, שׁוֹקָיו עַמּוּדֵי שֵׁשׁ מְיֻסָּדִים עַל־אַדְנֵי־פָז)—the beloved's legs are compared to marble pillars on gold bases. Marble pillars represented strength, permanence, and architectural beauty—supporting temples and palaces. Gold sockets indicated supreme value and stability. The beloved stands firm, unmovable, strong—his foundation is precious and sure.

His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars (mar'ehu kaLevanon bachur ka'arazim, מַרְאֵהוּ כַּלְּבָנוֹן בָּחוּר כָּאֲרָזִים)—Lebanon's cedar forests were legendary for height, strength, and fragrance. "Excellent" (bachur, בָּחוּר) means choice, select, the best. The beloved's overall appearance (mar'ehu, מַרְאֵהוּ) combines Lebanon's majestic beauty with cedars' strength and excellence. Christ stands firm (marble legs), grounded in divine worth (gold sockets), majestic and strong as Lebanon's cedars—unmovable, reliable, supremely excellent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Marble pillars were architectural marvels in ancient world—supporting massive structures with beauty and strength. Solomon's temple featured marble and gold prominently (1 Kings 6-7). The beloved's legs as marble pillars on gold bases celebrated immovable strength and supreme value. Lebanon's cedar forests were ancient world's premier timber source—used in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 5:6-10). Cedars grew to enormous heights, lived for centuries, resisted decay, and produced beautiful fragrance. They symbolized strength, longevity, majesty, and incorruptibility throughout Scripture (Psalm 92:12; Isaiah 2:13). The beloved's countenance as Lebanon with excellent cedars celebrated comprehensive majesty. Early church fathers saw Christ as the immovable pillar supporting God's temple (the Church)—strong, permanent, reliable. His cedar-like excellence represented His eternal, incorruptible nature. The Reformers emphasized Christ as the Church's only foundation—all other ground is sinking sand. The Puritans taught that believers can rely completely on Christ's unchanging strength.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's immovable stability (marble pillars on gold sockets) provide security amid life's uncertainties and storms?
  2. What aspects of Christ's "excellent" character (like Lebanon's cedars) do you find most reliable, beautiful, and worthy of trust?
  3. In what ways does knowing Christ stands firm—unchanging, unmovable, permanently reliable—transform how you face instability or fear?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
שׁוֹקָיו֙1 of 11

“His legs”

H7785

the (lower) leg (as a runner)

עַמּ֣וּדֵי2 of 11

“are as pillars”

H5982

a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform

שֵׁ֔שׁ3 of 11

“of marble”

H8336

bleached stuff, i.e., white linen or (by analogy) marble

מְיֻסָּדִ֖ים4 of 11

“set”

H3245

to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult

עַל5 of 11
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַדְנֵי6 of 11

“upon sockets”

H134

a basis (of a building, a column, etc.)

פָ֑ז7 of 11

“of fine gold”

H6337

pure (gold); hence, gold itself (as refined)

מַרְאֵ֙הוּ֙8 of 11

“his countenance”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

כַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן9 of 11

“is as Lebanon”

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

בָּח֖וּר10 of 11

“excellent”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

כָּאֲרָזִֽים׃11 of 11

“as the cedars”

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Song of Solomon. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Song of Solomon 5:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Song of Solomon 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 4:33Revelation 1:15-16Exodus 26:191 Timothy 3:16Matthew 28:3Song of Solomon 7:4

Places in This Verse

LebanonRegion · Modern: Jezzine · 33.54°N, 35.58°E57 verses across 16 books
View all places in Song of Solomon 5 →

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