He made its pillars of silver, its bottom of gold, its seat of purple, the middle of it being paved with love, from the daughters of Jerusalem.
Parallel Translations
-
He made its pillars of silver, its bottom of gold, its seat of purple, the middle of it being paved with love, from the daughters of Jerusalem.
-
He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
-
He made the pillars thereof of silver, the top thereof of gold, the seat of it of purple, the inside thereof being inlaid with love, from the daughters of Jerusalem.
Cross-references (7)
Passages linked to Song of Solomon 3:10 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Psalms 87:3 Glorious things are spoken about you, city of God.
- Song of Solomon 1:5 I am dark, but lovely, you daughters of Jerusalem, like Kedar’s tents, like Solomon’s curtains.
- Romans 5:8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- Ephesians 3:18-19 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
- 1 Timothy 3:15-16 but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God’s house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.
- Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood—
- Revelation 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (10 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Son 3:10 He made the pillars thereof [of] silver,…
Son 3:10 He made the pillars thereof [of] silver, the bottom thereof [of] gold, the covering of it [of] purple, the midst thereof being paved [with] love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
Ver. 10. He made the pillars thereof,] i.e., The faithful ministers, called "pillars," {Gal 2:9} and that, Atlas-like, bear up the pillars of it. {Psa 75:3} Those that offer violence to such, Samson-like, they lay hands upon the pillars to pluck the house upon their own heads. Yea, they attempt to pull stars out of Christ’s hand, {Rev 1:16} which they will find a work not feasible.
Read full note →
Of silver.] For the purity of matter, and clearness of sound; for their beauty, stability, and incorruption. Let ministers hereby "learn how they ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth." {1Ti 3:15}
The bottom thereof of gold.] Understand it either of God’s Word, which is compared to the finest gold, or of that precious grace of faith, the root of all the rest; whence it is laid by St Peter as the bottom and basis, the foundation and fountain of all the following graces: 2Pe 1:5, "Add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge," &c. They are all in faith radically. Every grace is but faith exercised; hence we read of the "joy of faith," the "obedience of faith," the "righteousness of faith," &c. She is the mother grace, the womb wherein all the graces are conceived. Hence the bottom of Christ’s fruitful bed, the pavement of his glorious bride chamber, the Church, is here said to be of gold; that is, of faith, which is called gold, {Rev 3:18 1Pe 1:7} "that the trial of your faith" (or your well tried faith, for it seems to be a Hebraism), "being much more precious than that of gold." And here, Melius est pallens aurum quam fulgens aurichalcum, {a} gold, though paler, is better than glittering copper. The faith of God’s elect is far more precious than the shining sins {b} of the beautiful abominations of mere moralists. Suppose a simple man should get a stone, and strike fire with it, and thence conclude it a precious stone; why, every flint or ordinary stone will do that. So to think one hath this golden grace of faith, because he can be sober, just, chaste, liberal, &c.; why, ordinary heathens can do this. True, gold will comfort the fainting heart, which alchemy gold will not. Think the same of faith.
The covering of it of purple.] I am of their mind that expound it of Christ’s blood, wherewith, as with a canopy, or a kind of heaven overhead, the Church is covered and cured. {Rev 5:9-10; Rev 7:14; Rom 6:3-4} Purple was a rich and dear commodity among them. {Pro 31:22; Pro 7:5 Mar 15:17 Luk 16:19} The precious blood of Christ is worthily preferred before gold and silver. {1Pe 1:18-19}
The midst thereof being paved with love.] For Christ loved us, and washed us with his blood. {Rev 1:5} He also fills his faithful people with the sense of his love, who therefore cannot but find a great deal of pleasure in the ways of God, because therein they let out their souls into God, and taste of his unspeakable sweetness; they cannot also but reciprocate and love his love. So the bottom, the top, and the middle of this reposing place are answerable to those three cardinal graces, faith, hope, and love. {1Co 13:1-13}
For the daughters of Jerusalem.] This chariot or bridal bed he made for himself, he made it also for the daughters of Jerusalem; for all his is theirs, union being the ground of communion. As we must do all for Christ - according to that, Quicquid agas propter Deum agas; and again, Propter te, Domine, propter te; choice and excellent spirits are more taken up with what they shall do for God than what they shall receive from God - so Christ doth all for us, and seeks how to seal up his dearest love to us in all his actions and achievements. "Christ’s death and bloodshed," saith Mr Bradford, "is the great seal of England, yea, of all the world, for the confirmation of all patents and perpetuities of the everlasting life whereunto he hath called us. This death of Christ, therefore, look on as the very pledge of God’s love towards thee, &c. See, God’s hands are nailed, they cannot strike thee; his feet also, he cannot run from thee. His arms are wide open to embrace thee, his head hangs down to kiss thee; his very heart is open, so that therein look, nay, even spy, and thou shalt see nothing therein but love, love, love to thee. Hide thee, therefore, lay thine head there with the beloved disciple, join thee to Christ’s chariot, as Philip did to the noble eunuch’s. This is the cleft of the rock wherein Elias stood. This is for all aching heads a pillow of down," &c. {c}
{a} Bernard.
{b} Splendida peccata.
{c} Sermon of Repent., 63.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain The pillars thereof; whereby the chariot is either supported…
The pillars thereof; whereby the chariot is either supported or adorned; which may signify either,
1. Ministers, who are called pillars, Gal 2:9, and that of silver, because they are, or should be, pure and precious, like silver. Or,
Read full note →
2. The firmness and certainty of Christ’s word, both of his doctrines and promises, which also are pure as silver, Psa 12:6. Although there is no necessity that either this or the following particulars should be distinctly applied to several things in or about the gospel; but this in the general may suffice, that as all these particulars are added to show the perfection and beauty of the chariot, so they do imply that Christ’s word is every way amiable, and perfect, and able to make the man of God perfect. The bottom; either,
1. The couch or seat, which was made of or covered with cloth of gold. Or,
2. The under and lower part, which was at least covered with pure gold. Whereby he may seem to understand the foundation of the word and promises, which is either God’s covenant, or Christ’s mediation, in whom all the promises are yea and amen.
The covering; either,
1. The curtains, whereby persons in the chariot are covered or hid from the sight of the people. Or rather,
2. The uppermost part of it, either in the outside or the inside of it. Some render the word, the seat or seats. Of purple; which represents Christ’s blood, which is our propitiatory or covering to shelter us from God’s wrath.
The midst; the inward parts, especially those between the upper and lower parts, which have been already mentioned.
Paved, covered and adorned,
with love; with beautiful and lovely ornaments, such as curious embroidery, enriched with gold and precious stones; love being here put for lovely objects, as fear is oft put for terrible things, as hath been oft noted. Whereby we may understand the love of Christ to the sons of men, or his lovely life, and death, and resurrection, &c.; which is the most amiable part and matter of the word or gospel.
For the daughters of Jerusalem; for their delight and comfort, who are all concerned and bear a part in this marriage.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain He made - There is no necessity that either…
He made - There is no necessity that either this or the following particulars should be distinctly applied to several things in the gospel; this in the general may suffice, that as all the particulars are added to shew the perfection and beauty of the chariot, so they do imply that Christ's word is every way amiable and perfect. The bottom - The under and lower part. Whereby he may seem to understand the foundation of the word and promises, which is either God's covenant, or Christ's mediation, in whom all the promises are yea and amen. Covering - The uppermost part of it. Midst - The inward parts. Paved - Covered and adorned. Love - The love of Christ to the sons of men. For the daughters - For their delight and comfort, who all bear a part in this marriage.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 10. The pillars - of silver] The bedposts…
Verse 10. The pillars - of silver] The bedposts were made of silver, or cased with wrought silver plates, like the king's chairs brought from Hanover, now, in one of the staterooms in Windsor Castle.
The bottom thereof of gold] This may refer to cords made of gold thread, or to the mattress, which was made of cloth ornamented with gold.
Read full note →
The covering - of purple] Most probably the canopy.
The midst - paved with love] The counterpane, a superb piece of embroidery, wrought by some of the noble maids of Jerusalem, and, as a proof of their affection, respect, and love, presented to the bride and bridegroom, on their nuptial day. This is most likely to be the sense of the passage, though some suppose it to refer to the whole court.
A Turkish couch is made of wooden lattices painted and gilded; the inside is painted with baskets of flowers and nosegays, intermixed with little mottoes according to the fancy of the artist. Solomon's couch may have been of the same kind, and decorated in the same way; and the paving with love may refer to the amatory verses worked either on the counterpane, hangings, or embroidered carpet. And as this was done by the daughters of Jerusalem, they might have expressed the most striking parts of such a chaste history of love as Halaly's Leely and Mejnoon on the different parts. I see that Dr. Good is of this opinion. It is sufficiently probable.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Going. Protestants, "covering of it of purple." (Haydock) ---…
Going. Protestants, "covering of it of purple." (Haydock) --- Death must be endured, if necessary, for the sake of the faith, as this is the highest degree of charity. (Worthington) --- He, &c. Hebrew, "is prepared for the beloved above the," &c. See Homer, Odyssey v. 660. (Calmet) --- Protestants and Pagnin, "the midst thereof being paved (Montanus, set on fire) with love for (Montanus, by) the daughters." (Haydock) --- The most desirable things adorn the litter, or the Church, that all may come to her, who has God to guide her decisions. (Menochius)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 10. The bottom — Hebrew, the support of the…
10. The bottom — Hebrew, the support of the head and back.
The covering — Better, the seat.
Read full note →
The midst — Rather, the lining wrought for him by the daughters of Jerusalem, as a token of their love. Rich and costly as was this palanquin, the British Government, in 1766, presented one of perhaps greater cost and beauty to the Nabob of the Carnatic. Other Indian sovereigns used to appear in public in similar style of palanquin and escort.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 10. the pillars thereof] The supports of the canopy…
10. the pillars thereof] The supports of the canopy or roof.
the bottom thereof] Rather, the back, that upon which one leans. Cp. LXX ἀνάκλιτον, Vulg. reclinatorium.
Read full note →
the covering of it] the seat of it.
purple] i.e. the seat of it is upholstered with purple, argâmân. This is the red purple, which is sometimes so dark as to be almost black. It is to be distinguished from the violet or cerulean purple which is tìkhçleth. Both words are found in Assyrian inscriptions as argamannu and takiltu. Attempts to derive argâmân from a Heb. root are practically abandoned, and Benary’s suggestion that it is the Sanscrit râgaman = ‘red,’ an adj. derived from râga, ‘red colour,’ with the formative syllable mat or vat (cp. Addit. Ges. Thes. p. 90), is probable; more especially as the Aramaic form of the word, argìwân, can be explained by another adj. form of the same word, viz. râgavan, which is identical in meaning with râgaman.
the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem] This is a very difficult phrase to understand, and it has been very variously interpreted. The A.V. can hardly be right in rendering ‘love for the daughters of Jerusalem,’ for the preposition is min which cannot mean for. The R.V. has, more correctly, from the daughters of Jerusalem.
paved with love] Lit. paved as to love, the word being an adv. accus. The translation is grammatically correct. (Cp. Davidson, Synt. § 78, R. 2.) But what does ‘paved with love from the daughters of Jerusalem’ mean? Gesenius in his Thes. translates, “paved in a lovely manner by the daughters of Jerusalem,” but besides that the prep. min cannot be used for the causa efficiens with the passive, the word ‘love’ is not found elsewhere in such a sense. Del. translates, made up as a bed, from love on the part of the daughters of Jerusalem, and explains it to mean that they, from love to the king, have procured a costly tapestry which they have spread over the purple cushion. Oettli, following the LXX, takes love to mean, ‘a mark of love,’ and translates, “the middle of it adorned as a mosaic, a love-gift on the part of the daughters of Jerusalem.” Budde would change the order of the words, and reading hôbhânîm = ‘ebony’ for ahãbhâh = ‘love,’ would translate, “its seat is inlaid with ebony, its centre purple.” If the text is corrupt this may perhaps have been its original form. But of the text as it stands Delitzsch’s rendering seems to be the best, except that wrought as a mosaic would be better than made up as a bed.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (10) Bottom.—Heb., rephidah = supports. Probably the back of…
(10) Bottom.—Heb., rephidah = supports. Probably the back of the litter on which the occupant leaned.
The midst thereof . . .—Literally, its interior paved love from the daughters of Jerusalem. There are three possible renderings. (1) Its interior made bright by a lovely girl of, &c. and (2) its interior paved in a lovely way by, &c. (3) its interior tesselated as a mark of love by, &c. The last of these does the least violence to the text as it stands, but very possibly some words have dropped out between ratzuph, paved, and ahabah, love.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain The midst thereof being paved with love, for the…
Son_3:10
The midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
Read full note →
Paved with love
This palanquin or travelling chariot in which the king is carried, represents the covenant of grace, the plan of salvation, and, in fact, the whole system by which the Lord Jesus comes down in mercy among men, and by which He bears His people along with Himself through the wilderness of this world, onward to the rest which He hath prepared for them. It is, in a word, the mediatorial work of Jesus.
I. Notice the growth which is indicated here as to our views of the covenant of grace. The description advances step by step, each sentence mentioning an additional and far-enhanced preciousness. At the first glance the sweet singer who speaks in this Song perceived that the chariot was made of cedar, a costly wood; a closer view revealed the silver pillars, beauteous to behold--further observation showed the basis all of burnished gold. From cedar to silver, and from silver to gold, we have a clear advance as to precious material. On looking again, the observer remarks the top of princely purple, which is yet more precious as the type of imperial dignity, and the token of that effectual atonement which was wrought out by the ensanguined stream of Calvary. The blood which dyed that purple canopy is much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire. And then, though one would think there could be no advance beyond the precious blood, the Song proceeds yet one step further, for we find that the midst thereof was paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem. The covenant is love in its secret places, all love, unalloyed love, invisible love, nothing else but love. When one comes to know most of the covenant, and admires the wisdom, the power, the purity, the eternity of all that God has done, yet the most striking characteristic of it to the advanced Christian is the love, the mighty love of God, by which he is brought by Jesus Christ into eternal salvation. Thou hast crowned me with lovingkindness; Thou hast loved my soul out of the pit; Thou hast loved me, and given Thyself for me. Thy love has redeemed me with a price most precious; Thy love has made me what I am; Thy love carries on the work, and Thy love will complete it, and present me to Thee in its own perfect image; for the midst of it is paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
II. Note the position from which the love mentioned in our text is best seen, The midst thereof is paved with love. It is not, therefore, to be seen from the outside. The mere outsider understands nothing of the love of God to His people as displayed in the covenant of grace. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. And so note next, when the Christian himself stands apart from his Lord, and judges by outward appearances, he cannot perceive, as once he did, the lovingkindness of the Lord. Providence grows dark as a winters day. The tried believer cries, My wife has been taken from me; my property is melting away, my business fades; I am sick in body and weary in soul; I cannot see a trace of the love of God to me in all this. Brother, the description in the Song does not say that the chariot is plated with love on the outside, but it is paved with love within, in the midst of it. Oh, that you had faith to believe that the heart and real core of every providence is love. The exterior of it may be as a thorn hedge, but sweet fruit ripens within. Look at the tessellated pavement of love beneath your feet for a moment. See you not the Fathers love--that golden mass of uncreated love, for the Father Himself loveth you: look at Jesus love, another diamond pavement beneath your foot; Jesus loved you to the death with a love that many waters could not quench, nor floods drown: look at the love of the Spirit, too: equally precious is the tender affection of the loving Comforter. Think how the Holy Ghost has borne with you, has striven with you, and endured your ill manners in the wilderness, and blessed you still. Look at those delightful embroideries from the Divine needle--the precious promises. A thousand promises there are, but they are all love. Look down and see how all the attributes of God are engaged for you, but they are all in league with love. Look, then, at all the providences of God towards you, at all the exercises of His grace in your heart, and you will see many and strange colours of varied beauty, all blending in one wondrous pattern of deep, unsearchable love.
III. Notice the peculiar position of the pavement of love described in the text. It is in the midst of the chariot, and only from the midst is it to be seen. It is in the midst of it; and therefore Jesus rides upon it, and His espoused ones ride upon it. It is a very simple thought, but it richly deserves to be beaten out a little. Jesus is represented here as the King in the chariot, and as the chariot is lined with love, we are taught that Jesus dwells in love. Where is He now? Among the thrones and principalities above, but He abides still in love. Love brought Him down from heaven to earth, love conducted Him in all His weary journeys over the acres of Palestine: love led Him to the garden, the death-sweat, and the cross; and equally at this hour does love attend Him: He loves in heaven as He loved below. Whatever He is doing, whatever He is feeling, whatever He is saying, we know this one thing about Him, He dwells in love to us, He is in His chariot, and all around Him in that chariot is love.
IV. Dwell on that love itself for a moment. Remember it is special love. There is an electing, discriminating, distinguishing love, which is settled upon a chosen people--a love which goes forth to none beside, but only to them; and it is this love which is the true resting-place of the saint. It is love undeserved, for what daughter of Jerusalem ever deserved that our glorious King should fall in love with her? It is a love, therefore, which is a theme for eternal wonder. Why didst Thou love me, Redeemer? Why didst Thou make a covenant of grace with me, and line that covenant with immutable love? This love is everlasting and eternal. It never had a beginning, it never will have an end. Simply as I have stated the truth, it is a nut with heaven for its kernel. Thou wast always loved, O believer, and thou always shalt be, come what may. It is love unrivalled, for never was there such affection as that which Christ has for His chosen; love unexampled, to which none of us shall ever reach. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
The description of the bed itself that began in Song of Songs 3:9 continues. (See: Background Information)
Read full note →
Its posts
The word "its" refers to King Solomon's sedan chair.
posts
The word "posts" here refers to pieces either made of silver or made of wood covered with silver that hold up the tent of cloth around his chair.
Its interior was
"The inside of it was"
with love
Possible meanings are 1) "with love," indicating that the women made the sedan beautiful in a special way to show their love for Solomon, or 2) "with leather."
daughters of Zion
"you young women who live in Zion"
gaze on King Solomon
"look at King Solomon." The word "gaze" refers to look at someone or something for a long time, usually with strong emotional feeling.
bearing the crown
"wearing the crown"
the day of the joy of his heart
The word "heart" is a metonym for the person. AT: "the day on which he truly rejoiced" or "the happiest day of his life" (See: Metonymy)
translationWords
silver
gold
purple
love
Jerusalem
Zion
king
Solomon
crown
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.