It seems strange to modern readers to compare one’s lover to a mare! The young man, however, compares her to one of Pharaoh’s mares. In those days, Pharaoh’s mares would have been the finest of all mares. The horses that drew Pharaoh’s chariots were heavily decorated with ornaments and embroidery to give them an appearance of great beauty and dignity.1 This is probably the comparison the young man is making. Song of Solomon 1:11 confirms this, when he speaks of her beauty being emphasized by jewellery such as earrings (that dangle on her cheeks) and strings of jewels around her neck.
9 I compare you, my love, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.