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⇱ Song of Solomon 4:10 How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.

Bible > Songs > Chapter 4 > Verse 10
◄ Song of Solomon 4:10 ►
New International Version
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!

New Living Translation
Your love delights me, my treasure, my bride. Your love is better than wine, your perfume more fragrant than spices.

English Standard Version
How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!

Berean Standard Bible
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.

King James Bible
How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!

New King James Version
How fair is your love, My sister, my spouse! How much better than wine is your love, And the scent of your perfumes Than all spices!

New American Standard Bible
“How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much sweeter is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than that of all kinds of balsam oils!

NASB 1995
“How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than all kinds of spices!

NASB 1977
“How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than all kinds of spices!

Legacy Standard Bible
How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than all kinds of spices!

Amplified Bible
“How beautiful is your love, my sister, my [promised] bride! How much better is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than all kinds of balsam and spices.

Christian Standard Bible
How delightful your caresses are, my sister, my bride. Your caresses are much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any balsam.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
How delightful your love is, my sister, my bride. Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any balsam.

American Standard Version
How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride! How much better is thy love than wine! And the fragrance of thine oils than all manner of spices!

Contemporary English Version
Your love is sweeter than wine; the smell of your perfume is more fragrant than spices.

English Revised Version
How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all manner of spices!

GOD'S WORD® Translation
How beautiful are your expressions of love, my bride, my sister! How much better are your expressions of love than wine and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice.

Good News Translation
Your love delights me, my sweetheart and bride. Your love is better than wine; your perfume more fragrant than any spice.

International Standard Version
How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride. How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all kinds of spices.

NET Bible
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine; the fragrance of your perfume is better than any spice!

New Heart English Bible
How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride. How much better is your love than wine. The fragrance of your perfumes than all manner of spices.

Webster's Bible Translation
How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thy ointments than all spices!
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.

World English Bible
How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, the fragrance of your perfumes than all kinds of spices!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
How beautiful have been your loves, my sister-spouse, "" How much better have been your loves than wine, "" And the fragrance of your perfumes than all spices.

Young's Literal Translation
How wonderful have been thy loves, my sister-spouse, How much better have been thy loves than wine, And the fragrance of thy perfumes than all spices.

Smith's Literal Translation
How beautiful were thy breasts, my sister, O bride! how good were thy breasts above wine, and the odor of thine ointments above all spices.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
How beautiful are thy breasts, my sister, my spouse! thy breasts are more beautiful than wine, and the sweet smell of thy ointments above all aromatical spices.

Catholic Public Domain Version


New American Bible
How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride, How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfumes than any spice!

New Revised Standard Version
How sweet is your love, my sister, my bride! how much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
How beautiful are your breasts, O my sister, my bride! how much better are your breasts than wine! and the fragrance of your ointments than all spices!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
How beautiful are your breasts, my sister bride! How much better are your breasts than wine, and the fragrance of your sweet spices than all sweet spices!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride! How much better is thy love than wine! And the smell of thine ointments than all manner of spices!

Brenton Septuagint Translation
How beautiful are thy breasts, my sister, my spouse! how much more beautiful are thy breasts than wine, and the smell of thy garments than all spices!

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon Admires His Bride
…9You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your neck. 10How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices. 11Your lips, my bride, drip sweetness like the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue, and the fragrance of your garments is like the aroma of Lebanon.…

Cross References
Proverbs 5:19
A loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever.

Psalm 45:11
and the king will desire your beauty; bow to him, for he is your lord.

Hosea 2:19-20
So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.”

Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

Revelation 19:7-8
Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. / She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.

Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.

1 John 4:19
We love because He first loved us.

John 15:9
As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love.

2 Corinthians 11:2
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

Matthew 22:37
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Isaiah 54:5
For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.


Song of Solomon 1:2
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

how much

Song of Solomon 1:2,4
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine…

the smell

Song of Solomon 1:3,12
Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee…

Song of Solomon 3:6
Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

Song of Solomon 5:5
I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

Jump to Previous
Beautiful Better Bride Delightful Fair Fragrance Kinds Love Manner Oils Ointments Perfume Perfumes Pleasing Sister Sister-Spouse Smell Spice Spices Spouse Sweet Wine Wonderful
Jump to Next
Beautiful Better Bride Delightful Fair Fragrance Kinds Love Manner Oils Ointments Perfume Perfumes Pleasing Sister Sister-Spouse Smell Spice Spices Spouse Sweet Wine Wonderful
Song of Solomon 4
1. Christ sets forth the graces of the church
8. He shows forth his love to her
16. The church prays to be made fit for his presence














How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!
This phrase highlights the deep affection and admiration the speaker has for his beloved. The use of "sister" and "bride" reflects the dual nature of the relationship, emphasizing both familial closeness and marital intimacy. In ancient Near Eastern culture, such terms were often used to express deep bonds and commitment. Theologically, this can be seen as a reflection of Christ's love for the Church, where believers are both His family and His bride (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Your love is much better than wine,
Wine in biblical times was a symbol of joy, celebration, and abundance. By stating that her love is better than wine, the speaker elevates the beloved's affection above all earthly pleasures and delights. This comparison can be linked to the spiritual joy and fulfillment found in a relationship with God, which surpasses all worldly experiences (Psalm 4:7). It also echoes the idea of the new wine of the Kingdom, representing the new covenant in Christ (Matthew 26:29).

and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.
Perfume and spices were highly valued in the ancient world, often used in religious rituals, royal ceremonies, and personal adornment. The mention of fragrance suggests an alluring and captivating presence, much like the incense used in the temple worship (Exodus 30:34-38). This can symbolize the pleasing aroma of a life devoted to God, as seen in the New Testament where believers are described as the fragrance of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15). The comparison to "all spices" indicates the surpassing worth and uniqueness of the beloved's presence and love.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Beloved
The speaker in this verse, often interpreted as Solomon, who is expressing his admiration and love for his bride.

2. The Bride
The recipient of the beloved's affection, representing the church or the individual believer in a spiritual allegory.

3. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of the Song of Solomon, representing wisdom and the pursuit of love.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical backdrop of the Song of Solomon, reflecting the customs and poetic expressions of love in the ancient Near East.

5. The Wedding
The context of the celebration of love and union, symbolizing the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Teaching Points
The Supremacy of Love
The verse highlights the superiority of love over material pleasures, such as wine. In our lives, we should prioritize love—both divine and human—over temporary satisfactions.

The Fragrance of Christ
Just as the bride's perfume is more delightful than spices, believers are called to be the fragrance of Christ in the world, spreading His love and grace wherever they go.

Covenantal Relationship
The terms "sister" and "bride" reflect a deep, covenantal relationship. In our walk with God, we are invited into a relationship that is both intimate and committed.

Spiritual Intimacy
The intimate language used in this verse encourages believers to seek a deeper, more personal relationship with God, akin to the closeness of a marital bond.

Joy in Righteousness
The delight expressed in this verse can be seen as a metaphor for the joy found in living a life aligned with God's will, where love and righteousness prevail.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Song of Solomon 4:10?

2. How does Song of Solomon 4:10 illustrate the beauty of marital love?

3. What does "your love is more delightful than wine" signify in relationships?

4. How can we apply the admiration in Song of Solomon 4:10 today?

5. What scriptural connections exist between Song of Solomon 4:10 and Ephesians 5:25?

6. How can Song of Solomon 4:10 inspire us to cherish our spouse?

7. How does Song of Solomon 4:10 reflect God's view of love and marriage?

8. What is the significance of "your love is more delightful than wine" in Song of Solomon 4:10?

9. How does Song of Solomon 4:10 fit into the overall theme of the book?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 4?

11. What does the Bible say about sex in marriage?

12. What does "marriage bed undefiled" mean?

13. What is the Bible's stance on oral sex?

14. (Song of Solomon 6:4,10) Does comparing a lover to a 'terrible army with banners' suggest hyperbole that conflicts with a literal reading of the text?
What Does Song of Solomon 4:10 Mean
How delightful is your love

• The Bridegroom opens with sheer enjoyment: “How delightful is your love.” Delight is the first note God struck in Eden when He declared creation “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

• Marriage, when lived in covenant faithfulness, is designed to be a source of gladness—“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth” (Proverbs 5:18).

• The verse also hints at God’s own joy in His people: “The LORD your God…will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

• Christ loves His bride exactly this way: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).

my sister, my bride!

• The double title blends affection (“sister” speaks of family closeness) with covenant commitment (“bride” marks the marital bond).

• Scripture often combines these ideas: believers are at once family members and covenant partners with the Lord—“Both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family” (Hebrews 2:11).

• Jesus applied similar language to discipleship: “Whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35).

• In marriage the terms remind spouses to nurture friendship as well as romance.

Your love is much better than wine

• Wine represents festive pleasure (Psalm 104:15). Yet the groom says his bride’s love surpasses it.

• This echoes Songs 1:2: “Your love is more pleasing than wine.” The statement intensifies now that the relationship is secure.

• Deep, covenant love brings a joy that outlasts the fleeting lift of wine—“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when grain and new wine abound” (Psalm 4:7).

• For believers, Christ’s love is the ultimate satisfaction; every earthly marriage points to that greater reality (John 15:11).

the fragrance of your perfume than all spices

• Perfume in Scripture signals costly devotion—think of Mary anointing Jesus: “The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3).

• The bride’s presence leaves a lingering, pleasing aroma. Likewise, the church is called “the fragrance of Christ” in the world (2 Corinthians 2:15).

• Aromatic spices once perfumed the tabernacle (Exodus 30:23-25). The language suggests worship: the union of bride and groom becomes a living sanctuary of praise.

• A God-honoring marriage gives off a spiritual scent more alluring than anything the world can blend.

summary

Song of Solomon 4:10 paints the bridegroom’s exuberant praise for his bride: her love brings delight, binds them as intimate family, surpasses every earthly pleasure, and spreads an aroma of costly devotion. In literal marriage the verse calls spouses to cherish, celebrate, and protect covenant love. Spiritually, it foreshadows Christ’s joyous, surpassing, fragrant love for His redeemed people—a love in which every believer is invited to rejoice.

Verses 10, 11. - How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride! How much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all manner of spices! Thy lips, O my bride, drop as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon. The expression of thy love, that is, the endearments, the embraces, are delightful. The allusion to the lips may be a mere amplification of the word "love," but it may also refer to speech, and we think of the nineteenth psalm and the description of the words and testimony of the Lord, "more to be desired than gold, and sweeter than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb" (cf. Genesis 27:27; Hosea 4:7; Psalm 45:9). The words of pure, inward joy flowing forth from the lips may be so described. So the Lord has said, in Isaiah 62:5, that he rejoiceth over his people as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
How
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

delightful
יָּפ֥וּ (yā·p̄ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3302: To be bright, beautiful

[is] your love,
דֹדַ֖יִךְ (ḏō·ḏa·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1730: To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle

my sister,
אֲחֹתִ֣י (’ă·ḥō·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

my bride.
כַלָּ֑ה (ḵal·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3618: Daughter-in-law, bride

Your love
דֹדַ֙יִךְ֙ (ḏō·ḏa·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1730: To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle

is much
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

better
טֹּ֤בוּ (ṭō·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2895: To be pleasing or good

than wine,
מִיַּ֔יִן (mî·ya·yin)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

and the fragrance
וְרֵ֥יחַ (wə·rê·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7381: To smell, perceive odor

of your perfume
שְׁמָנַ֖יִךְ (šə·mā·na·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness

than all
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

spices.
בְּשָׂמִֽים׃ (bə·śā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1314: Fragrance, spicery, the balsam plant


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 4:10 How beautiful is your love my sister (Song Songs SS So Can)