King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 7:2 Mean?

Song of Solomon 7:2 in the King James Version says “Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies. li...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Song of Solomon 7:2 · 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.

4

Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor (שָׁרְרֵךְ אַגַּן הַסַּהַר אַל־יֶחְסַר הַמָּזֶג)—the Hebrew shorer (שָׁרֵר) may refer to the navel or more broadly the midsection. The 'round goblet' (aggan hassahar) suggests a curved, well-formed vessel. The phrase 'wanteth not liquor' (al-yechsar hammazeg) means it never lacks mixed wine—suggesting abundance, festivity, and satisfaction. The imagery celebrates the bride's form while emphasizing that she's a source of delight and abundance, never lacking.

Thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies (בִּטְנֵךְ עֲרֵמַת חִטִּים סוּגָה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים)—wheat represents nourishment, prosperity, and the harvest's blessing. Lilies symbolize beauty and purity. The combination celebrates both function (nourishment) and beauty (lilies). Church tradition saw wheat as the bread of life (Christ) offered through the Church, surrounded by the beauty of holiness. The imagery affirms the goodness of the physical body and marital intimacy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In agricultural ancient Israel, wheat was the primary grain staple, representing sustenance and prosperity. A 'heap of wheat' indicated harvest abundance and blessing. Lilies grew wild and cultivated, celebrated for beauty (Matthew 6:28-29). Mixed wine was served at feasts and celebrations. The Song's detailed celebration of the human body counters both ascetic denial of the body's goodness and pornographic reduction of persons to mere objects. The imagery presents the beloved as both beautiful and life-giving. Church fathers sometimes allegorized the 'wheat' as Christ's body (the Eucharist) and the 'lilies' as martyrs or pure believers. The Reformers recovered appreciation for marital sexuality as God's good gift, neither shameful nor idolatrous.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does biblical celebration of the body's beauty challenge both prudish shame and cultural objectification of sexuality?
  2. What does it mean to be a source of 'abundance' (like wheat) and 'beauty' (like lilies) in your relationships?
  3. How can you cultivate an understanding of sexuality that honors both its physical pleasure and its covenant context?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
שָׁרְרֵךְ֙1 of 11

“Thy navel”

H8326

the umbilical cord, i.e., (by extension) a bodice

אַגַּ֣ן2 of 11

“goblet”

H101

a bowl (as pounded out hollow)

הַסַּ֔הַר3 of 11

“is like a round”

H5469

roundness

אַל4 of 11
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יֶחְסַ֖ר5 of 11

“which wanteth”

H2637

to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen

הַמָּ֑זֶג6 of 11

“not liquor”

H4197

tempered wine

בִּטְנֵךְ֙7 of 11

“thy belly”

H990

the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything

עֲרֵמַ֣ת8 of 11

“is like an heap”

H6194

a heap; specifically, a sheaf

חִטִּ֔ים9 of 11

“of wheat”

H2406

wheat, whether the grain or the plant

סוּגָ֖ה10 of 11

“set about”

H5473

to hem in, i.e., bind

בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים׃11 of 11

“with lilies”

H7799

a lily (from its whiteness), as a flower of architectural ornament; also a (straight) trumpet (from the tubular shape)

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 7:2 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 7:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 3:8Song of Solomon 5:14Jeremiah 1:5Psalms 45:16Romans 7:4Isaiah 46:3

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