Song of Solomon 6
Song of Solomon 6 continues the intimate dialogue between the Shulamite and her beloved. In this chapter, the daughters of Jerusalem express their admiration for the Shulamite’s beauty, and her beloved praises her with poetic descriptions. The chapter reflects the themes of love, admiration, and the deep bond shared between the lovers.
Song of Solomon 6:1 (NKJV)
1 Where has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned aside, That we may seek him with you?
The daughters of Jerusalem ask the Shulamite where her beloved has gone, offering to help her find him. Their question reflects both curiosity and admiration for the depth of her love. By addressing her as the "fairest among women," they acknowledge her beauty and the special nature of her relationship with her beloved. It also highlights their willingness to assist her in her search.
Song of Solomon 6:2-3 (NKJV)
2 My beloved has gone to his garden, To the beds of spices, To feed his flock in the gardens, And to gather lilies.
3 I am my beloved’s, And my beloved is mine. He feeds his flock among the lilies.
The Shulamite answers that her beloved has gone to his garden, a symbolic place of intimacy and peace. The "beds of spices" and "gathering lilies" may represent the beauty and fragrance of their love. In verse 3, she affirms their mutual belonging with the statement "I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine," emphasizing the strength of their bond and his nurturing presence in her life.
Song of Solomon 6:4-5 (NKJV)
4 O my love, you are as beautiful as Tirzah, Lovely as Jerusalem, Awesome as an army with banners!
5 Turn your eyes away from me, For they have overcome me. Your hair is like a flock of goats Going down from Gilead.
The beloved compares the Shulamite’s beauty to the cities of Tirzah and Jerusalem, which were known for their splendor. He also likens her to "an army with banners," indicating that her beauty is both awe-inspiring and powerful. In verse 5, her gaze overwhelms him, a testament to the intensity of his attraction. The poetic imagery of her hair being like a flock of goats adds to the scene, illustrating the flowing grace of her appearance.
Song of Solomon 6:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep Which have come up from the washing; Every one bears twins, And none is barren among them.
7 Like a piece of pomegranate Are your temples behind your veil.
The beloved continues his praise with detailed descriptions of the Shulamite’s features. Her teeth are compared to a perfectly matched flock of sheep, signifying their whiteness and evenness. The reference to pomegranates, known for their vibrant red color and beauty, highlights the attractiveness of her temples behind her veil. These comparisons enhance the poetic admiration of her physical beauty.
Song of Solomon 6:8-9 (NKJV)
8 There are sixty queens And eighty concubines, And virgins without number.
9 My dove, my perfect one, Is the only one, The only one of her mother, The favorite of the one who bore her. The daughters saw her And called her blessed, The queens and the concubines, And they praised her.
The beloved elevates the Shulamite above all others, declaring that even though there are many queens, concubines, and virgins, she is unique and irreplaceable in his eyes. His love for her is singular, and her beauty surpasses all others. The reference to the queens and concubines praising her demonstrates how others, even those in positions of honor, recognize her unmatched qualities and virtue.
Song of Solomon 6:10 (NKJV)
10 Who is she who looks forth as the morning, Fair as the moon, Clear as the sun, Awesome as an army with banners?
This verse returns to the admiration expressed by others, possibly the daughters of Jerusalem or the beloved himself. The Shulamite is compared to the brilliance of the morning, the moon, and the sun, all symbolizing her radiance and beauty. Her appearance is awe-inspiring, like an army with banners, a symbol of both beauty and power.
Song of Solomon 6:11-12 (NKJV)
11 I went down to the garden of nuts To see the verdure of the valley, To see whether the vine had budded And the pomegranates had bloomed.
12 Before I was even aware, My soul had made me As the chariots of my noble people.
The Shulamite speaks of going down to the garden, symbolizing her desire to reconnect with nature and perhaps her beloved. The garden imagery of vines and pomegranates reflects growth and renewal, themes often associated with love. In verse 12, there’s a sudden shift in the narrative as she expresses a sense of being transported, as if her soul took her unexpectedly to a higher place, possibly reflecting the intensity of her emotions or the reunion with her beloved.
Song of Solomon 6:13 (NKJV)
13 Return, return, O Shulamite; Return, return, that we may look upon you! What would you see in the Shulamite— As it were, the dance of the two camps?
The chorus, likely the daughters of Jerusalem or the beloved’s companions, calls for the Shulamite to return so they can admire her beauty. The reference to "the dance of the two camps" could symbolize a graceful and harmonious movement, possibly a metaphor for the balance and duality of love, or it could refer to her captivating beauty being as impressive as a well-executed, synchronized dance.