Song of Solomon 5:10

“My beloved [is] white and ruddy, etc.] This, and the following verses, contain the church’s answer to the question of the daughters; she first gives a general description of her beloved, and then descends to particulars: the description of him in general is, that he is “white and ruddy”; having the whiteness of the lily, and the redness of the rose, (<220201>Song of Solomon 2:1); which make a perfect beauty. Some understand this of the two natures in Christ, divine and human; with respect to his divine nature, “white”, expressive of his simplicity, purity and holiness; which colour, Cicero saysf331, is chiefly becoming God, it being simple, and having no mixture and composition in it: with…”

“My beloved is white and ruddy - Compare 1 Samuel 16:12; Daniel 7:9. The complexion most admired in youth. Jewish interpreters remark that he who is elsewhere called “the Ancient of Days” is here described as the Ever-Young. “White in His virgin-purity,” says Jerome, “and ruddy in His Passion.” The chiefest among ten thousand - literally, “a bannered one among a myriad;” hence one signalized, a leader of ten thousand warriors. return to 'Top of Page'”

“White - The white may denote his pure and spotless innocency, and the ruddy colour his bloody passion. Song of Solomon (Canticles) 5:11”

“5:10-16 This extended portrayal of the lover in the Song emphasizes his worth to the woman. 5:10 dark and dazzling: He is radiantly healthy and deeply tanned. This description is not meant as an allusion to race; it likely reflects radiant health and exposure to the sun.”

“beloved: Sol 2:1; Deu 32:31; Psa 45:17; Isa 66:19; Heb 7:26 the chiefest: Heb. a standard bearer, Isa 10:18, Isa 59:19; Rom 9:5; Phi 2:9-11; Col 1:18; Heb 2:10 Song of Solomon (Canticles) 5:11”

“Hereupon Shulamith describes to them who ask what her beloved is. He is the fairest of men. Everything that is glorious in the kingdom of nature, and, so far as her look extends, everything in the sphere of art, she appropriates, so as to present a picture of his external appearance. Whatever is precious, lovely, and grand, is all combined in the living beauty of his person. (Note: Hengstenberg finds in this eulogium, on the supposition that Solomon is the author, and is the person who is here described, incomprehensible self-praise. But he does not certainly say all this immediately of himself, but puts it into the mouth of Shulamith, whose love he gained. But love idealizes; she sees him…”