Song of Solomon 7:4

“Thy neck [is] as a tower of ivory, etc.] Two things recommend the neck, erectness and whiteness; both are here expressed, the one by a “tower”, the other by “ivory”; hence a fine beautiful neck is called an ivory onef430; and for the same reason it sometimes has the epithet of “snowy”f431, and sometimes of “marble”f432. Of the church’s neck, as it may design either the ministers of the word, or the Scriptures of truth, (see Gill on “<220404>Song of Solomon 4:4”); where it is compared to “the tower of David”, and here to “a tower of ivory”: Marckius conjectures that they may be the same, or that this is the name of, vine ancient structure known at this time; however, it is used as expressive…”

“A tower of ivory - The tower of ivory, the allusion being to some particular tower, built probably by Solomon 1 Kings 10:21. Fishpools in Heshbon - Or, simply pools. Among the ruins to the south of Heshbon still remain a number of deep wells cut in the rock, and a large reservoir of water. The simile well sets forth the appearance of a large clear liquid eye (compare Song of Solomon 5:12 note). Gate of Bath-rabbim - Perhaps the gate looking toward Rabbath-Ammon on the north side of the city, though this does not agree with the wells above mentioned; or, the gate of the city “full of people” Lamentations 1:1; or, an expression indicating the gate itself as the scene of numerous gatherings.…”

“Like fishpools - Full, and clear, and quiet, and pleasant. Heshbon - A pleasant and well watered city, beyond Jordan. The tower - Which was in all probability built by Solomon in the mountain of Lebanon, the northern border of the land of Israel towards Damascus; and therefore a very fit place for a watch - tower. Which looketh - There was another tower or building in or near Jerusalem, which was called the house of the forest of Lebanon, Kg1 7:2. Song of Solomon (Canticles) 7:5”

“7:4 sparkling pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim: The pools of Heshbon, formed by a brook, can still be seen today near the ruins of Heshbon on the east coast of the Dead Sea. • The tower of Lebanon is probably a metaphor for Mount Hermon, a high mountain that overlooks the valley of Damascus, the capital of Syria. The majestic beauty of the woman’s nose rises above her other facial features.”

“neck: Sol 1:10, Sol 4:4 ivory: Sol 5:14; Kg1 10:18, Kg1 10:22, Kg1 22:39; Psa 45:8, Psa 144:12 thine eyes: That is, "Thine eyes are dark, deep, clear, and serene, as the fish-pools in Heshbon. " Sol 4:1, Sol 4:9, Sol 6:5; Eph 1:17, Eph 1:18, Eph 3:18, Eph 3:19 Heshbon: Num 21:25; Isa 54:4 thy nose: That is, "Thy nose is as finely formed as the tower of Lebanon." Phi 1:9, Phi 1:10; Heb 5:14 the tower: Sol 4:8, Sol 5:15; Kg1 7:2, Kg1 9:19; Ch2 8:6 Damascus: Gen 15:2; Sa2 8:6 Song of Solomon (Canticles) 7:5”

“4a Thy neck like an ivory tower. The article in חשּׁן may be that designating species (vid., under Sol 1:11); but, as at Sol 7:5 and Sol 4:4, it appears to be also here a definite tower which the comparison has in view: one covered externally with ivory tablets, a tower well known to all in and around Jerusalem, and visible far and wide, especially when the sun shone on it; had it been otherwise, as in the case of the comparison following, the locality would have been more definitely mentioned. So slender, so dazzlingly white, is imposing, and so captivating to the eye did Shulamith's neck appear. These and the following figures would be open to the objection of being without any occasion,…”