Song of Solomon6

The chapter opens with the daughters of Jerusalem inquiring about the beloved's whereabouts, to which the bride responds that he has gone to his garden. She then declares her mutual possession with her beloved. The groom subsequently praises her beauty, comparing her to Tirzah and Jerusalem, and affirming her uniqueness above all other women.

The Search and the Assurance

1
[Chorus] Where has your darling gone, you most beautiful of women? Which way did your darling turn, so that we can help you find him? ​
2
[She] My darling went down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies. ​
3
I belong to the man I love, and he belongs to me; he pastures his flock among the lilies. ​

The Groom Praises the Bride's Beauty

4
[He] You are as beautiful as Tirtzah, my love, as lovely as Yerushalayim, but formidable as an army marching under banners. ​
5
Turn your eyes away from me, because they overwhelm me! Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Gil'ad. ​
6
Your teeth are like a flock of sheep that have just come up from being washed; each of them is matched, and none of them is missing.
7
Your cheeks are like a pomegranate split open behind your veil.
8
There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, as well as young women beyond number; ​
9
but my dove, my perfect one, is unique, her mother's only child, the darling of the one who bore her. ​
10
The daughters see her and call her happy; the queens and concubines praise her. "Who is this, shining forth like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun"-but formidable as an army marching under banners? ​

The Bride's Sudden Return

11
[She] I had gone down to the nut orchard to see the fresh green plants in the valley, to see if the vine had budded, ​
12
or if the pomegranate trees were in bloom. Before I knew it, I found myself in a chariot, and with me was a prince. ​
13
[Chorus] Come back, come back, girl from Shulam! Come back, come back to where we can see you! Why are you looking at the girl from Shulam as if she were dancing for two army camps? ​

Study Notes for Song of Solomon 6

Verse 1

The Daughters of Jerusalem (the Chorus) pose this question, continuing the dialogue from Chapter 5. Their inquiry demonstrates their growing interest and commitment to helping the Bride.

Verse 2

The Beloved (Groom) is depicted as tending his garden, a place of intimacy and cultivation. This image confirms his presence and devotion, resolving the anxiety of the previous chapter.

Verse 3

This declaration of mutual possession is a central theme of the Song, affirming the security and intimacy of their commitment, regardless of temporary separation or doubt (cf. 2:16).

Verse 4

Tirzah was a beautiful royal city, and Jerusalem represented perfection and majesty. The comparison to an 'army with banners' emphasizes the Bride's awe-inspiring, majestic, and formidable power over the Groom’s heart.

Verse 5

The Beloved acknowledges that the Bride's beauty is so compelling ('overcome me') that he must turn away. The description of her hair repeats the imagery of enduring, dark beauty first mentioned in 4:1.

Verse 8

The mention of numerous queens and concubines sets the stage for the contrast in the next verse, highlighting the societal norms of a royal court (likely Solomon’s).

Verse 9

The core affirmation: the Bride is 'but one.' Her singularity and uniqueness are emphasized, demonstrating that true love elevates the beloved above all others, regardless of worldly status or number.

Verse 10

This rhetorical question summarizes the Bride's radiant beauty. The comparison to the sun, moon, and morning signifies her perfection and growing splendor, confirming the high praise given by the other women (v. 9).

Verse 11

The Bride explains she retreated to the garden (perhaps a metaphor for reflection or their shared inner life) to assess the vitality and fruitfulness of their love.

Verse 12

This verse describes a sudden, overwhelming, and irresistible impulse of passion. The reference to the 'chariots of Amminadib' likely refers to a famous or noble chariot, signifying rapid, powerful movement driven by love.

Verse 13

The Daughters of Jerusalem call the Bride, the 'Shulamite,' to return. The final phrase, 'company of two armies' (Heb. *Mahanaim*), is complex, possibly referring to a captivating, dance-like beauty or the tension and splendor of her presence.

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