Song of Solomon 1:6

1:5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.

KJV

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Don’t stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has scorched me. My mother’s sons were angry with me. They made me keeper of the vineyards. I haven’t kept my own vineyard.

Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.

Look not on me, because I am black, because the sun has looked on me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my own vineyard have I not kept.

1:7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? as one: or, as one that is veiled

What does Song of Solomon 1:6 mean?

Song of Solomon 1:6 is a verse in the book of Song of Solomon, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include רָאָה (râʼâh), שְׁחַרְחֹרֶת (shᵉcharchôreth), שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh). It connects to 4 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Lookרָאָהrâʼâh/raw-aw'/H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

not

upon

me,

because

black,שְׁחַרְחֹרֶתshᵉcharchôreth/shekh-ar-kho'-reth/H7840swarthy

because

the

sunשֶׁמֶשׁshemesh/sheh'-mesh/H8121the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement

hath

lookedשָׁזַףshâzaph/shaw-zaf'/H7805to tan (by sunburning); figuratively (as if by a piercing ray) to scan

upon

me:

mother'sאֵםʼêm/ame/H517a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father))

childrenבֵּןbên/bane/H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)

were

angryחָרַרchârar/khaw-rar'/H2787to glow, i.e. literally (to melt, burn, dry up) or figuratively (to show or incite passion)

with

me;

they

madeשׂוּםsûwm/soom/H7760to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

the

keeperנָטַרnâṭar/naw-tar'/H5201to guard; figuratively, to cherish (anger)

the

vineyards;כֶּרֶםkerem/keh'-rem/H3754a garden or vineyard

but

mine

own

vineyardכֶּרֶםkerem/keh'-rem/H3754a garden or vineyard

have

not

kept.נָטַרnâṭar/naw-tar'/H5201to guard; figuratively, to cherish (anger)

Commentary on Song of Solomon 1:6

HENRY_FULL · Song of Solomon 1:6

s therefore importunate for it. I will not let thee go except thou bless me. 3. What he pleaded—the promise of God: " Be merciful to me, according to thy word. I desire the mercy promised, and depend upon the promise for it." Those that are governed by the precepts of the word and are resolved to keep them ( v. 57 ) may plead the promises of the word and take the comfort of them. 59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. David had said he would keep God's word ( v. 57 ), and it was well said; now here he tells us how and in what method he pursued that resolution. 1. He thought on his ways. He thought beforehand what he should do, pondering the path of his feet ( Prov. iv. 26 ), that he might walk surely, and not at all adventures. He thought after what he had done, reflected upon his life past, and recollected the paths he had walked in and the steps he had taken. The word signifies a fixed abiding thought. Some make it an allusion to those who work embroidery, who are very exact and careful to cover the least flaw, or to those who cast up their accounts, who reckon with themselves, What do I owe? What am I worth? "

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Proverbs 27:1

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. to: Heb. to morrow day

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Ezekiel 10:6

And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.

Galatians 1:16

To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

Topics

Sun, the Vineyards Woman

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Song of Solomon 1:6.

Genesis 28:11

And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.

Genesis 6:2

That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Genesis 9:23

And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.

Frequently asked questions

What does Song of Solomon 1:6 say?

Song of Solomon 1:6 (King James Version) reads: "Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept."

Is Song of Solomon 1:6 in the Old or New Testament?

Song of Solomon 1:6 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Song of Solomon.

Reflect

As you read Song of Solomon 1:6, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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