Song of Songs 4 in the early church

[also Song of Solomon; Vulgate: Canticle of Canticles]

170 passages quote, allude to, or echo Song of Songs 4, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16

Song of Songs 4:1

How beautiful you are, my darling—how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:1–2Catechetical Lecture 3.17 · Cyril of Jerusalemquotation, high confidenceca. 350
Song 4:1Exposition of Psalm 118 16.20.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:1Exposition of Psalm 118 16.23.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:1Exposition of Psalm 118 16.25.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:1On the Mysteries 7 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387–391
Song 4:1–3Homily 15 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390–394
Song 4:1Letters 23.27 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
Song 4:1Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 4 · Eucherius of Lyonquotation, high confidenceca. 420-430

Song of Songs 4:2

Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn sheep coming up from the washing; each has its twin, and not one of them is lost.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:2Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:2Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Song 4:2Letter 69.6 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Song 4:2Exposition of Psalm 118 15.12.1 · Ambrosequotation, low confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:2Exposition of Psalm 118 16.22.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:2Exposition of Psalm 118 16.23.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:2Exposition of Psalm 118 16.25.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:2Exposition of Psalm 118 16.26.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:2Letter 149.4 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Song 4:2On the Mysteries 7 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387–391
Song 4:2On Christian Doctrine 2.6 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceBooks 1–3 ca. 396–397; completed 426–427
Song 4:2Against Faustus the Manichaean 22.85 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400

Song of Songs 4:3

Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon, and your mouth is lovely. Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:3Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:3Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Song 4:3Exposition of Psalm 118 15.14.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:3Exposition of Psalm 118 18.22.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:3Hexameron (Exameron) 3.56 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-390
Song 4:3On the Mysteries 7 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387–391
Song 4:3Tractates on Matthew 12.5 · Chromatius of Aquileiaquotation, high confidenceca. 388–407

Song of Songs 4:4

Your neck is like the tower of David, built with rows of stones; on it hang a thousand shields, all of them shields of warriors.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:4Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:4Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Song 4:4Exposition of Psalm 118 4.5.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397

Song of Songs 4:5

Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle grazing among the lilies.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:5Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:5Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Song of Songs 4:6

Before the day breaks and the shadows flee, I will make my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:6Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:6Homily 8 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394
Song 4:6–9Against Jovinianus 1.30 · Jeromequotation, high confidence393

Song of Songs 4:7

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; in you there is no flaw.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:7Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:7Commentary on Romans 9.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Song 4:7Homilies on the Psalms 29.5 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 360-378
Song 4:7Letter 54.3 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Song 4:7Book of Rules 2 · Tyconiusquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Song 4:7On Virgins 1.7 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 377
Song 4:7Second Apology of David 43 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 384-397
Song 4:7On the Mysteries 7 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387–391
Song 4:7Homily 8 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390–394
Song 4:7Homily 11 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390–394
Song 4:7Homily 12 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 390–394

Song of Songs 4:8

Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, come with me from Lebanon! Descend from the peak of Amana, from the summits of Senir and Hermon, from the dens of the lions, from the mountains of the leopards.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:8Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:8Against Marcion 4.11 · Tertullianquotation, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Song 4:8Letter 75.14 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Song 4:8Against Parmenian the Donatist 3.3 · Optatus of Milevisquotation, high confidenceca. 366–385
Song 4:8On Virgins 1.7 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 377
Song 4:8On Virgins 2.6 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 377
Song 4:8On the Christian Faith 3.10 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 378–380
Song 4:8On Noah 52 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 378-384
Song 4:8Second Apology of David 43 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 384-397
Song 4:8Exposition of Psalm 118 15.7.3 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:8Exposition of Psalm 118 17.33.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:8Letter 194.9 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Song 4:8On the Mysteries 7 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387–391
Song 4:8Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.77.4 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Song 4:8–9Homily 8 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390–394
Song 4:8Sermon 105.6 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Song 4:8Tractates 8 · Gaudentius of Bresciaquotation, high confidenceca. 397-410
Song 4:8Tractates on the Gospel of John 15.24 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 406–420
Song 4:8On Man's Perfection in Righteousness 41 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 415
Song 4:8On the Proceedings of Pelagius 34 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence417
Song 4:8Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 5 · Eucherius of Lyonquotation, high confidenceca. 420-430

Song of Songs 4:9

You 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.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:9Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:9Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Song 4:9–12Symposium 7.1 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd century
Song 4:9Symposium 7.2 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd century
Song 4:9On the Holy Spirit 0 · Didymus the Blindallusion, medium confidenceGreek ca. 360-390; Latin 387-391
Song 4:9Letter 76.2 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Song 4:9Book of Rules 1 · Tyconiusallusion, high confidenceca. 380
Song 4:9Exposition of Psalm 118 11.7.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:9Exposition of Psalm 118 16.19.4 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:9Poem 25, lines 161–192 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, medium confidenceca. 393–431
Song 4:9Apology against Jerome 2.24 · Rufinus of Aquileiaallusion, medium confidenceca. 401
Song 4:9Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 5 · Eucherius of Lyonquotation, high confidenceca. 420-430

Song of Songs 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.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:10Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Song 4:10On Virgins 1.7 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 377
Song 4:10On the Mysteries 9 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387–391
Song 4:10–15Homily 9 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390–394
Song 4:10Against Jovinianus 1.30 · Jeromequotation, high confidence393
Song 4:10Tractates 9 · Gaudentius of Bresciaquotation, high confidenceca. 397-410

Song of Songs 4:11

Your 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.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:11Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 805 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Song 4:11Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Song 4:11Letter 78.27 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Song 4:11On Virgins 1.7 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 377
Song 4:11On Virgins 1.8 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 377
Song 4:11Exposition of Psalm 118 13.23.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:11Exposition of Psalm 118 13.25.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:11Exposition of Psalm 118 13.27.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:11Exposition of Psalm 118 22.17.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:11On the Mysteries 9 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387–391
Song 4:11Letters 40.2 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413

Song of Songs 4:12

My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:12Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:12Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Song 4:12Letter 69.2 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Song 4:12–13Letter 74.11 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Song 4:12–13Letter 75.15 · Cyprian of Carthageallusion, high confidence249/250–258
Song 4:12Opinions of the Bishops 33 · Cyprian of Carthageallusion, medium confidence1 September 256
Song 4:12Catechetical Lecture 14.4 · Cyril of Jerusalemquotation, high confidenceca. 350
Song 4:12Three Letters to Sympronianus 3.21 · Pacian of Barcelonaallusion, high confidenceca. 360-390
Song 4:12Oration 24.3 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 362–383
Song 4:12Against Parmenian the Donatist 1.10 · Optatus of Milevisallusion, high confidenceca. 366–385
Song 4:12Against Parmenian the Donatist 1.12 · Optatus of Milevisallusion, medium confidenceca. 366–385
Song 4:12Against Parmenian the Donatist 2.8 · Optatus of Milevisallusion, medium confidenceca. 366–385
Song 4:12Against Parmenian the Donatist 2.11 · Optatus of Milevisallusion, low confidenceca. 366–385
Song 4:12Against Parmenian the Donatist 2.13 · Optatus of Milevisquotation, high confidenceca. 366–385
Song 4:12Letter 15.1 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Song 4:12Letter 22.25 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Song 4:12Letter 49.21 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Song 4:12On Virgins 1.9 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 377
Song 4:12Liber Orsiesii 19 · Orsiesiusquotation, high confidenceca. 380-390
Song 4:12Second Apology of David 47 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 384-397
Song 4:12Exposition of Psalm 118 17.33.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:12Exposition of Psalm 118 22.43.1 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:12On the Mysteries 9 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387–391
Song 4:12On Genesis against the Manichaeans 2.14 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 388–390
Song 4:12Against Jovinianus 1.31 · Jeromeallusion, high confidence393
Song 4:12On Baptism, against the Donatists 4.10 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 400–401
Song 4:12–13On Baptism, against the Donatists 5.38 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 400–401
Song 4:12–13On Baptism, against the Donatists 6.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 400–401
Song 4:12On Baptism, against the Donatists 6.56 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 400–401
Song 4:12On Baptism, against the Donatists 7.97 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 400–401
Song 4:12–13On Baptism, against the Donatists 7.99 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 400–401
Song 4:12–13Literal Commentary on Genesis 11.25 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 401–415
Song 4:12City of God 13.21 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidence413–426
Song 4:12Sermon 98 · Peter Chrysologusquotation, high confidenceca. 425-450
Song 4:12Sermon 145 · Peter Chrysologusquotation, high confidenceca. 425-450

Song of Songs 4:13

Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest of fruits, with henna and nard,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:13Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:13Commentary on the Song of Songs 2.166 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Song 4:13Commentary on the Song of Songs 2.167 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Song 4:13On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.3 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386-390
Song 4:13Letter 187.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 386–430
Song 4:13Against Jovinianus 1.31 · Jeromequotation, high confidence393
Song 4:13Literal Commentary on Genesis 12.28 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 401–415
Song 4:13Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 3 · Eucherius of Lyonquotation, high confidenceca. 420-430

Song of Songs 4:14

with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:14Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:14Commentary on the Song of Songs 2.166 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Song 4:14Commentary on the Song of Songs 2.167 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Song 4:14Catechetical Lecture 14.11 · Cyril of Jerusalemquotation, high confidenceca. 350
Song 4:14Letter 65.14 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419

Song of Songs 4:15

You are a garden spring, a well of fresh water flowing down from Lebanon.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:15Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:15Letter 69.2 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidence249/250–258
Song 4:15Catechetical Lecture 14.4 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, high confidenceca. 350
Song 4:15Three Letters to Sympronianus 3.21 · Pacian of Barcelonaallusion, high confidenceca. 360-390
Song 4:15Exposition of Psalm 118 17.33.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:15Exposition of Psalm 118 17.33.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:15Against Faustus the Manichaean 22.87 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400

Song of Songs 4:16

Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind. Breathe on my garden and spread the fragrance of its spices. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choicest fruits.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Song 4:16Commentary on the Song of Songs, fragment 15 (Song 4:16) · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:16Commentary on the Song of Songs, Armenian fragment (Song 1:5-5:1) · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-235
Song 4:16Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Song 4:16Symposium 8.11 · Methodius of Olympusquotation, high confidencelate 3rd century
Song 4:16Book of Rules 7 · Tyconiusquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Song 4:16On Virgins 1.9 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 377
Song 4:16Exposition of Psalm 118 2.11.1 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:16Exposition of Psalm 118 12.24.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:16Exposition of Psalm 118 12.24.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Song 4:16Letter 140.55 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Song 4:16On the Mysteries 9 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387–391
Song 4:16Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.45.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Song 4:16Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.45.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Song 4:16Explanation of Twelve Psalms 35.20.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Song 4:16Explanation of Twelve Psalms 47.5.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Song 4:16–5:2Homily 10 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390–394
Song 4:16Sermon 273.4 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Song 4:16Letters 44.7 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413
Song 4:16Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 3 · Eucherius of Lyonquotation, high confidenceca. 420-430