VII.
(1) How beautiful... — Literally, How beautiful are thy feet (or thy steps) in the sandals. This description of the beauty of the bride —
“From the delicate Arab arch of her feet
To the grace that, bright and light as the crest
Of a peacock, sits on her shining head” —
is plainly connected with the dance mentioned in the last verse, and possibly proceeds in this order, instead of from the head downwards, because the feet of a dancer would first attract attention. See end of Excursus III.
O prince’s daughter! — Heb. Bath-nadib (the LXX. keep Ναδαβ) — evidently again suggested by Amminadib, in Song of Solomon 6:12. But as the allusion there cannot be recovered, nothing relating to the rank of the heroine can be deduced from the recurrence of nadib (= noble) here. The reference may be to character rather than descent, just as in the opposite expression, “daughter of Belial” (1 Samuel 1:16).
Joints. — Heb. chamûk, from chamah — went away, probably refers to the rapid movements in dancing, and the image is suggested by the graceful curves formed by a chain or pendulous ornament when in motion. Or the reference may be to the contour of the person.