Song of Songs 4:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Until now, the Word, after praising the individual members of the Church, turns to extol the entirety of her body, as He states, “by death He shall abolish him that hath the power of death” (Heb. 2:14), and shall once again elevate Himself to the divine glory He possessed from the very beginning, “before the world was” (John 17:5). In His declaration, “I will go myself to the lowly mountain and to the hill of Lebanon” (6), referencing the glory of the Godhead, He adds, “All that is good thou art My neighbour, and there is no blemish in thee” (7). This teaches us first that no one can take His life from Him; rather, “the region” must “lay it down, and the region” must “receive it again” (John 10:18).

I will ascend, he declares, to the mountain of humility, which refers to those who have surrendered their physical existence, and to the heights of Lebanon, to the most virtuous assemblies of virgins.

Your two breasts resemble two young goats that graze among the lilies, Song of Songs 4:6 until the morning dawns and the shadows flee away. Here, the breasts symbolize the sources of spiritual teaching, which provide appropriate nourishment for each generation—some receive the milk of early instruction, while others partake of more robust fare. The comparison to young goats indicates that our understanding is still limited in this life, as the Apostle notes, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part” (1 Cor. 13:9). The little ones, nourished among the lilies, thrive on the teachings of the Holy Spirit until the day concludes, and the shadows depart, signifying the end of our earthly struggles and the transience of temporal matters.

The beloved, already within the bridal chamber, begins to sing a glorious love song, celebrating the bride in the most exquisite manner. The grandeur of nature and the picturesque scenery of the Palestinian landscape reflect her beauty. Doves, herds of goats grazing on Gilead, and flocks of sheep returning from the watering hole with their young are among the images used. Other symbols such as a red thread, rose petals, a slice of pomegranate, and a tower erected by David for storing arms further illustrate this admiration. The bridegroom likens his beloved's eyes, hair, teeth, mouth, cheeks, neck, and form to these delightful images, emphasizing that she is flawless in every way.