Charles Ellicott Commentary Song Of Solomon 5:14

"His hands are [as] rings of gold set with beryl: His body is [as] ivory work overlaid [with] sapphires." — Song Of Solomon 5:14 (ASV)

His hands ...—Galil, translated ring, is more probably a cylinder (from galal, to roll), referring to the rounded arm, ending in a well-shaped hand with beautiful nails.

Beryl. —Hebrew tarshish; Septuagint θαρσις. Possibly “stones of Tarshish,” and if so, either chrysolite or topaz, both said to have been first found in Tartessus, an ancient city of Spain, between the two mouths of the Bœtis (Guadalquiver). Mentioned as one of the precious stones in the breastplate of the High Priest (Exodus 28:20; Exodus 39:13). The Septuagint adopts the various renderings χρυσολίθος, ἄνθραξ, λίθος ἄνθρακος, or, as here, keeps the original word.

Bright ivory. —Literally, a work of ivory, i.e., a chef-d’œuvre in ivory.

Sapphires. —It is doubtful whether the sapphire of Scripture is the stone so called now, or the lapis-lazuli. The former best suits Exodus 28:18 and Job 28:6, because lapis-lazuli is too soft for engraving. The comparison in the text either alludes to the blue veins showing through the white skin or to the colour of some portion of dress.