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The Friends Call to the Woman

13 ·Come back [or Turn around], ·come back [or turn around], woman of Shulam [C feminine form of Solomon, both based on the Hebrew root meaning “peace”; their union brings contentment].
    ·Come back [or Turn around], ·come back [or turn around],
so we may look at you!

The Woman Answers the Friends

Why do you want to look at the woman of Shulam
as you would at the dance of two armies [C as at a mesmerizing sight]?

The Man Speaks to the Woman

Your feet are beautiful in sandals,
    you ·daughter of a prince [noble daughter].
Your round ·thighs [or hips] are like ·jewels [L rings]
    ·shaped by an artist [L the work of the hands of a craftsman].
Your navel is like a round drinking cup
    ·always filled with [L that does not lack] wine.
Your ·stomach [belly] is like a ·pile [heap] of wheat
    ·surrounded [bordered] with lilies.
Your breasts are like two fawns,
    like twins of a gazelle [4:5].
Your neck is like an ivory tower [C grand, strong, dignified].
Your eyes are like the pools in Heshbon [C a beautiful area located near the Dead Sea]
    near the gate of Bath Rabbim.
Your nose is like the mountain of Lebanon
    ·that looks down on [keeping watch toward] Damascus.
Your head is like Mount Carmel [C a prominent, rounded, and attractive mountain],
    and your hair is like purple cloth [C a royal color];
    the king is ·captured [ensnared] in its folds.
You are beautiful and pleasant;
    my love, you are full of delights.

(The Chorus)

13 
“Return, return, O Shulammite;
Return, return, that we may gaze at you.”

(The Bridegroom)

“Why should you gaze at the Shulammite,
As at the dance of the two armies?

Admiration by the Bridegroom

“How beautiful are your feet in sandals,
O prince’s daughter!
The curves of your hips are like jewels,
The work of the hands of an artist.

“Your navel is a round goblet
Which never lacks mixed wine.
Your belly is like a heap of wheat
Surrounded with lilies.

“Your two breasts are like two fawns,
The twins of a gazelle.

“Your neck is like a tower of ivory,
Your eyes the [sparkling] pools of Heshbon
By the gate of Bath-rabbim.
Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon
Which looks toward Damascus.

“Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel,
And the flowing hair of your head like purple threads;
I, the king, am held captive by your [a]tresses.

“How beautiful and how delightful you are,
My love, with all your delights!

Footnotes

  1. Song of Solomon 7:5 I.e. the long, unbound hair of a woman.