King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 7:1 Mean?

Song of Solomon 7:1 in the King James Version says “How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the ha...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.”

Song of Solomon 7:1 · KJV

Context

1

How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.

2

Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies. liquor: Heb. mixture

3

Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.

Read Song of Solomon 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! The bridegroom begins an extended celebration of the bride's beauty, working from feet upward. Calling her bat-nadiv (בַּת־נָדִיב, prince's daughter/noble one) emphasizes her dignity and royal status—she's not common but elevated by relationship with the king. The focus on feet 'with shoes' (בַּנְּעָלִים, banne'alim) may suggest readiness for travel or dance, or simply the adornment that enhances natural beauty.

The joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman (חַמּוּקֵי יְרֵכַיִךְ כְּמוֹ חֲלָאִים מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵי אָמָּן)—the imagery celebrates craftsmanship and artistic beauty. The Hebrew chammuqey can mean 'curves' or 'roundings,' and chala'im refers to ornaments or jewels. Church tradition saw the 'feet with shoes' as readiness to proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:15; Romans 10:15). The 'cunning workman' is God Himself, who crafts believers as His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient culture, feet were typically considered the lowest, least noble part of the body—yet here they're celebrated as beautiful when properly adorned. This may reflect the bride dancing or moving gracefully. Jewelry and skilled craftsmanship were highly valued in Israel, with artisans like Bezalel filled with God's Spirit for creating beautiful works (Exodus 31:1-5). The description celebrates both natural beauty and intentional adornment. Church fathers saw the bride's movement (beautiful feet) as the Church's missionary advance. The 'prince's daughter' language connects to Psalm 45:13—'The king's daughter is all glorious within.' The imagery affirms that believers are nobility through adoption into God's royal family (1 Peter 2:9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does being called a 'prince's daughter'—royalty through relationship with Christ—change how you view your identity and calling?
  2. What does it mean to have 'beautiful feet'—being ready and willing to carry the gospel to others?
  3. How does recognizing yourself as God's craftsmanship—'the work of the hands of a cunning workman'—affect your self-understanding?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
מַה1 of 13
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יָּפ֧וּ2 of 13

“How beautiful”

H3302

properly, to be bright, i.e., (by implication) beautiful

פְעָמַ֛יִךְ3 of 13

“are thy feet”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

בַּנְּעָלִ֖ים4 of 13

“with shoes”

H5275

properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)

בַּת5 of 13

“daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

נָדִ֑יב6 of 13

“O prince's”

H5081

properly, voluntary, i.e., generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)

חַמּוּקֵ֣י7 of 13

“the joints”

H2542

a wrapping, i.e., drawers

יְרֵכַ֔יִךְ8 of 13

“of thy thighs”

H3409

the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side

כְּמ֣וֹ9 of 13
H3644

as, thus, so

חֲלָאִ֔ים10 of 13

“are like jewels”

H2481

a trinket (as polished)

מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה11 of 13

“the work”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

יְדֵ֥י12 of 13

“of the hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אָמָּֽן׃13 of 13

“of a cunning workman”

H542

an expert

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 7:1 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 7:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 45:13Ephesians 6:15Luke 15:22Colossians 2:19Daniel 2:32Exodus 28:15

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