Song of Solomon 5:13

“His cheeks [are] as a bed of spices, [as] sweet flowers, etc.] Which may intend the presence of Christ with his people in his word and ordinances; often called his “face”, which he shows, and they seek after, than which nothing is more desirable; walking in the light of his countenance is preferable to walking among spicy beds, where fragrant plants and odoriferous flowers grow: or the cheeks, being the seat of modesty and blushing, may denote the great humility of Christ, seen in his assumption of our nature, throughout the whole course of his life, and especially at his death, and which renders him very delightful to his people; how lovely does the meek and lowly Jesus look! how beautiful…”

“Sweet flowers - Better as in the margin, i. e., plants with fragrant leaves and flowers trained on trellis-work. Like lilies - Are lilies dropping liquid myrrh (see the Song of Solomon 5:5 note). Perhaps the fragrance of the flowers, or the delicate curl of the lip-like petals, is here the point of comparison, rather than the color. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Cheeks - His face or countenance, an eminent part whereof is the cheeks. Spices - Of aromatic flowers which delight both the eye with a pleasant prospect, and the smell with their fragrancy. Lillies - Beautiful and pleasant. Song of Solomon (Canticles) 5:14”

“5:13 His cheeks are like gardens of spices because they were covered by the full beard that was worn by all men of that culture. This beard would have been perfumed.”

“cheeks: Sol 1:10; Isa 50:6 as a: Psa 4:6, Psa 4:7, Psa 27:4, Psa 89:15; Rev 21:23 sweet flowers: or, towers of perfumes, Sol 3:6 his lips: Sol 4:11; Psa 45:2; Isa 50:4; Luk 4:22 dropping: Sol 5:5 Song of Solomon (Canticles) 5:14”

“13a His cheeks like a bed of sweet herbs, Towers of spicy plants. A flower-bed is called ערוּגה, from ערג, to be oblique, inclined. His cheeks are like such a soft raised bed, and the impression their appearance makes is like the fragrance which flows from such a bed planted with sweet-scented flowers. Migedaloth are the tower-like or pyramidal mounds, and merkahhim are the plants used in spicery. The point of comparison here is thus the soft elevation; perhaps with reference to the mingling of colours, but the word chosen (merkahhim) rather refers to the lovely, attractive, heart-refreshing character of the impression. The Venet., keeping close to the existing text: αἱ σιαγόνες αὐτοῦ…”