His legs: again we have a metaphor rather than a simile, but it is quite acceptable to translate “His legs are like….” The Hebrew noun refers to the leg below the knee in Judges 15.8, while in 1 Sam 9.24 it applies to the thigh or upper leg. It seems best, in view of the ambiguity, to use the general term leg.
Are alabaster columns: “pillars” or columns refers to his straight and powerful legs. To further describe them as made of alabaster or (white) marble does not necessarily mean they are white, but that like marble columns they are straight and sturdy. Again the comparison with alabaster, a highly prized stone, indicates how precious and valued he is.
Set upon bases of gold: the metaphor of legs standing on gold bases is similar to Sirach 26.18, which speaks of a woman’s legs as golden pillars on silver bases. Again we believe that it is not the color that is the focal point. Columns and bases made of different precious metals recall those in the Tabernacle (Exo 26.19). In Job 38.6 there is a similar portrayal of the universe. In 1.5 the young woman described her beauty as like the curtains in Solomon’s Temple, so it seems that the Temple provided the poet with a source of imagery for talking about highly prized beauty.
Set upon: or “based on.” Like the previous examples of the extended simile, this one merely adds to the description of the columns themselves. It does not mean that he was wearing golden shoes!
A model for translation is:
• Like marble columns set in gold bases, so are his legs strong and sturdy.
His appearance focuses attention on the entire outward form and beauty of the lover. In this part of the verse we have a simile rather than a metaphor; he is like Lebanon. On Lebanon see comments in 4.8, 15. What does this imagery refer to? Lebanon, or its mountains, is an image of strength. Other references to Lebanon’s massive cedar trees also confirm this sense, so this reference to Lebanon probably describes the young man’s imposing stature and strength.
Choice as the cedars is a phrase in apposition with the previous one; it defines more closely what the simile is drawing attention to. Cedars, Lebanon’s primary symbol, also refers to strength and size. We may need to add the classifier “trees” if readers do not know that cedar is a kind of tree. Choice here refers to quality, the excellence or preeminence of its cedars. Jerusalem Bible “unrivalled as the cedars” does not give the exact force of the metaphor, whereas Good News Translation “like their towering cedars” is acceptable. New English Bible has “noble.”
For translation we can say:
• His whole appearance is like [the mountains of] Lebanon, strong like its massive cedar trees.
• He stands like [the mountains of] Lebanon, towering like its cedars.
This verse contains many striking images, and the translator should try to retain the poetic effect. We may say:
• Like columns of marble on bases of gold
His legs are sturdy and fine,
Like the towering mountains of Lebanon,
He stands—noble, like its cedars.
Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Song of Songs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1998. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .