Fishpools
The KJV Translation
The word "fishpools" appears in the King James Version of Song of Solomon 7:4, where the beloved's eyes are compared to "the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim." This is a notable instance where the KJV translators added the word "fish" to the Hebrew text without warrant. The Hebrew word used here is simply "berekhoth," meaning "pools" or "reservoirs," with no reference to fish whatsoever.
The Correct Meaning
Modern English translations such as the ESV, NIV, and NASB correctly render the word as "pools." The verse reads as a beautiful simile: the speaker compares the beloved's eyes to the tranquil, reflective pools near the gate of Bath-rabbim in the city of Heshbon (Song of Solomon 7:4). The image evokes depth, clarity, and serene beauty, qualities the poet sees in the beloved's gaze.
The Pools of Heshbon
Heshbon was an ancient city located east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern Jordan. It was originally a Moabite city conquered by the Amorite king Sihon, and later taken by the Israelites under Moses (Numbers 21:25-26). The city was known for its reservoirs and water systems, which were vital for sustaining life in the semi-arid landscape. Archaeological excavations at Tell Hesban have uncovered remains of ancient water installations, confirming the city's association with pools and water management.
Poetic Imagery in Song of Solomon
The comparison of eyes to pools is part of a larger passage in Song of Solomon 7:1-9 known as the "wasf," a genre of love poetry common in the ancient Near East that describes the beloved's body from head to toe or toe to head. Each comparison draws on familiar landmarks, natural features, and precious materials. By likening the beloved's eyes to the pools of Heshbon, the poet suggests calm depth, reflective beauty, and refreshing clarity.
Another Mistranslation in Isaiah 19:10
A related translation issue occurs in Isaiah 19:10, where the KJV renders a phrase as "all that make sluices and ponds for fish." Modern translations significantly revise this verse, with most reading something like "all who work for wages will be grieved in soul" (Isaiah 19:10). This correction removes another unwarranted reference to fish from the biblical text.
Lessons from Translation History
The "fishpools" example serves as a helpful reminder that Bible translations are human works that sometimes introduce meanings not present in the original text. The KJV translators, working in 1611, occasionally expanded or interpreted Hebrew terms in ways that later scholarship has corrected. Understanding these translation differences helps modern readers appreciate both the beauty of the original Hebrew poetry and the ongoing work of bringing Scripture faithfully into English.
Biblical Context
The word 'fishpools' appears only in the KJV rendering of Song of Solomon 7:4, within a love poem praising the beauty of the beloved. The Hebrew word berekhoth simply means 'pools' and is used to compare the beloved's eyes to the famous pools near the gate of Bath-rabbim in Heshbon. A related mistranslation appears in Isaiah 19:10 in the KJV.
Theological Significance
While the translation issue itself is minor, the passage speaks to the biblical celebration of beauty and love within the covenant relationship depicted in Song of Solomon. The imagery of still, deep pools points to the value Scripture places on seeing and being truly known by another person. The Song of Solomon has traditionally been interpreted both as a celebration of human love and as an allegory of God's love for his people.
Historical Background
Heshbon (Tell Hesban) was an important city in Transjordan, located about 20 miles east of the Jordan River. Archaeological work at the site has revealed water installations from various periods, consistent with the biblical reference to pools. The city changed hands between Moabites, Amorites, and Israelites throughout its history (Numbers 21:25-26; Joshua 13:17). Water management was crucial in this region, and well-known pools would naturally serve as poetic reference points.