This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
This stature likened to a palm tree and breasts to clusters of grapes belongs to one of the one thousand and five songs or poems written by Solomon. The book is a dialogue carried on between various parties in vivid, warm, Eastern figurative language, at once a love poem and a parable. Its imagery belongs to the time in which it was written, and when read in that setting gives no ground for objection. It is a poetical picture of Christ and His church, portraying Christ's love for the church. It shows His wonderful love and her love in response, though her love is often wanting in faithfulness and constancy, with Solomon's experiences serving as types of Christ and the church.
The palm is called tamar in Hebrew for its straight, upright, branchless growth that sometimes rises to a hundred feet, and likeness of stature to a palm points to that tall, straight form. The fruit at the top of the palm is gotten by climbing the stalk, made comparatively easy by rugged knots that are the remains of decayed leaves.
The particular imagery of this verse itself is left without explanation. The verse is to be read alone with God while keeping its picture of Christ and the church in mind.
This stature likened to a palm tree and breasts to clusters of grapes belongs to one of the one thousand and five songs or poems written by Solomon. The book is a dialogue carried on between various parties in vivid, warm, Eastern figurative language, at once a love poem and a parable. Its imagery belongs to the time in which it was written, and when read in that setting gives no ground for objection. It is a poetical picture of Christ and His church, portraying Christ's love for the church. It shows His wonderful love and her love in response, though her love is often wanting in faithfulness and constancy, with Solomon's experiences serving as types of Christ and the church.
The palm is called tamar in Hebrew for its straight, upright, branchless growth that sometimes rises to a hundred feet, and likeness of stature to a palm points to that tall, straight form. The fruit at the top of the palm is gotten by climbing the stalk, made comparatively easy by rugged knots that are the remains of decayed leaves.
The particular imagery of this verse itself is left without explanation. The verse is to be read alone with God while keeping its picture of Christ and the church in mind.