KJV ORIGINAL
His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
His hands are like gold rings decorated with beryl stones; his body is like polished ivory covered with sapphires.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is describing her beloved's physical beauty using precious metals and gemstones to show how valuable and attractive he is to her.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of a passionate love poem in the Song of Solomon, where the bride is describing her beloved's physical appearance to the daughters of Jerusalem. In ancient times, precious metals and gemstones were symbols of great wealth, beauty, and value. The specific stones mentioned - beryl and sapphires - were among the most prized jewels in the ancient Near East.
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