TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
Don't stare at me because I'm dark; it's the sun that tanned me. My mother's sons were angry with me and made me look after the vineyards. But I haven't cared for my own vineyard.
Berean Standard Bible
Do not stare because I am dark, for the sun has gazed upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me a keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have neglected.
American Standard Version
Look not upon me, because I am swarthy, Because the sun hath scorched me. My mother’s sons were incensed against me; They made me keeper of the vineyards; But mine own vineyard have I not kept.
World English Bible Messianic
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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Shewe me, O thou, whome my soule loueth, where thou feedest, where thou liest at noone: for why should I be as she that turneth aside to the flockes of thy companions?
Young's Literal Translation
Fear me not, because I am very dark, Because the sun hath scorched me, The sons of my mother were angry with me, They made me keeper of the vineyards, My vineyard--my own--I have not kept.
In the KJVVerse 17,544 of 31,102
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Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
HOMILIES ON THE SONG OF SONGS 1:6
We understand how the bride is both black and beautiful. But if you too do not repent, beware lest your soul be called black and foul and you be made foul by a double ugliness: black because of your past sins and ugly because you persevere in your vices.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS 2:2
Therefore, that visible sun does indeed blacken and burn those bodies upon which it settles at noon, but it preserves in its brightness those bodies that are placed far off and far away from its overhead position. It does not at all burn them, but gives light to them. But, in contrast, the true spiritual sun, which is the sun of righteousness in whose wings healing is said to be, illumines them and surrounds them with every brightness because he has found them of an upright heart and at the zenith of his radiance, but he does not look “askance” as much as “look down upon” those who “approach him askance,” since their own fickleness and instability causes this trouble for them.For the world was made not through that visible light, because it too is part of this world, but through that true light, by which light we are said to be despised, if we approach it in a crooked way.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS 2:2
“Do not look at me because I have become dark, because the sun looked down upon me.” …And so people have existed in this way in all that nation of the Ethiopians, to whom a certain natural blackness resides owing to the succession of fleshly seed, because in those places the sun burns with harsher rays and, once the bodies have been burned and blackened, they remain so as the innate flaw is passed down, generation to generation. But the blackness of the soul belongs to a contrary arrangement; for the soul is burned not by the sun looking at it but by the sun’s looking down upon it; it is obtained not by birth but by neglect; and thus, just as it is acquired by ignorance, so it is driven out and repulsed by diligence.
Gregory of ElviraAD 392
EXPLANATION OF THE SONG OF SONGS 1:25
“Do not look at me,” it says, “because the sun has not regarded me.” The prophet Ezekiel proved that the sun is Christ when he said, “upon you who fear the Lord, the sun of righteousness will rise,” who is Christ. For, as I have often said, before the advent of the Son of God, the church of the Gentiles was dark because it had not yet believed in him. But when it was illuminated by Christ the true sun, it was made extremely lovely and decorous, such that the Holy Spirit would say to it through David: “the king desired your beauty.”
Gregory the DialogistAD 604
FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 19 (17)
The church says of its weak members, “They have put me as a guard in the vineyards; my own vineyard I have not guarded.” Our vineyards are our deeds, and we cultivate them by our daily labor. We are put as guards in the vineyards, but we do not cultivate our own. When we are involved with external affairs, we neglect to watch over our own activities.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
And as if to say openly, "The bitterness of my persecutors has brought me such advantage and utility, that I have become the keeper of many vineyards, that is, churches of Christ, after the primitive vineyard, that is, the Church which I first began to establish and guard in Jerusalem, was scattered by their multitude. But the not keeping of the vineyard is to be referred not to the mind, but to the place: for indeed at that time, a significant part of the Church withdrew from Jerusalem due to persecution, which nonetheless retained the entire integrity of faith fixed in the heart, and even took up the duty of preaching with devout mouth, as we have said before. Some think that this phrase, 'They made me the keeper in the vineyards, my own vineyard I have not kept,' should be distinguished in such a way that by the name of 'vineyard,' the Church of Christ is indicated; but by the appellation 'vineyards,' the various decrees of the law and the diverse traditions of the Pharisees are understood. And they say, 'They have placed the Church among the vineyards,' who compelled the faithful to be circumcised, and to observe the ceremonies of the carnal law. Among these was he who said, 'And frequently punishing them in all the synagogues who believed, I will persecute them even to foreign cities' (Acts XXII). Therefore, he did not keep his own vineyard, with no small number of the faithful being scattered by him from Jerusalem, as if hewing down the branches of the heavenly vineyard. Yet the root of it could by no means be uprooted. But because the greater the adversity that tempts the faith of the elect, the more urgently it is necessary that they invoke the Redeemer's help, fittingly the holy Church, after lamenting that the sons of her mother rose up against her, and that her vineyard was shaken by their invasion, mindful of the Lord's promise where He said, 'In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world' (John XVI), with a solicitous heart turned to Him, prays, saying:
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
"The sons of my mother fought against me, etc." It is the voice of the primitive Church, which receives the wars of tribulations from the Synagogue itself, from which it derives its carnal origin, as the Acts of the Apostles most fully teach. In this sentence, firstly, it must be noted that the bride of Christ rightly asserts that she has been darkened by the sun, who used to work as a subordinate laborer cultivating and guarding the vineyard. There was, however, one vineyard of Christ in Jerusalem, namely the primitive Church itself, which on the day of Pentecost, that is, on the fiftieth day after the resurrection of the Lord, was dedicated by the coming of the Holy Spirit. At that time, its guardians were the apostles themselves. But after the persecution occurred, during the time of the blessed martyr Stephen, all were dispersed throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles, it happened that there were many vineyards, that is, many churches of Christ in various places, preaching the word to those who were dispersed here and there. Indeed, by the action of divine providence, this dispersion of the Church of Jerusalem was the occasion for establishing many churches. Hence it is well that our codices have "They were scattered;" in Greek it says diesparisan, that is, "they were disseminated throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria." And shortly after, "Those who were disseminated went about evangelizing the word of God:" because the Jewish persecutors, indeed wishing to overthrow the Church, unwillingly spread the seed of the word more widely, and by persecuting one Church in Jerusalem, unwillingly caused many Churches to exist widely. So, when the primitive Church said it was darkened by afflictions, because the sons of its mother, that is, the parricidal Synagogue, hated and attacked it, it immediately added how much it had profited from these same afflictions, adding in the person of those to whom the care of preaching was entrusted: "They made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept."
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
Do not consider me because I am dark, etc. Which is to say openly: Do not marvel at me, O daughters of Jerusalem, that is, souls devoted to God, because I am despised by men, because the heat of temptations, which for my inner beauty I do not cease to endure, has rendered me outwardly dark, whom, nonetheless, the heavenly grace has granted to be inwardly charming. Which is like the apostle Peter: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings (1 Peter 4). And indeed, sometimes the name of the Lord Himself is signified by the sun, as it is said of His ascension: The sun was lifted up, and the moon stood still in its place; sometimes of His chosen ones, as He says: The righteous shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13). But in this place, it is better that the fervor of tribulations be figured by the appellation of the sun, according to what He Himself says about seeds sown on the rock: When the sun rose, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away (Matthew 13). Which, later explaining it, He says thus: When tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away (Matthew 13), clearly declaring that tribulation and persecution are figured by the term "sun." Just as those who reside quietly at home often have whiter limbs, while those who work in the vineyard or garden or any other outdoor labor often have darker limbs due to much sun, so does the holy Church, the more earnestly she girds herself for spiritual combat, perceive fiercer snares of the old enemy rising against her. And just as the sinner is often praised in the desires of his soul, and he who commits iniquity is blessed, so sometimes the just man is reproached in the virtues of his soul; and he who acts rightly is cursed, as Paul attests, who says: We bless when reviled; we endure persecution; when slandered, we entreat (1 Corinthians 4). But He Himself, whose cause it is for which it happens, teaches the faithful that this ensnarement of blasphemy should be of little account, indeed that they should rejoice in it, saying, "Blessed are you when men curse you; and if they persecute you and say all manner of evil against you, and so forth (Matthew V)." Because therefore the holy Church sees itself adorned internally with faith and virtues, but bears witness that it is burned externally by persecutions, it remains to show whence it endured the first rage of persecution. It follows:
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 1:6 presents the Shulamite woman's heartfelt lament over her sun-darkened complexion and the arduous, enforced labor that caused it. She explains that her "mother's children" compelled her to guard their vineyards, a task that exposed her to the elements and, more significantly, prevented her from cultivating her "own vineyard"—a profound metaphor for her personal well-being, inner life, and the nurturing of her own beauty or potential. This verse poignantly introduces themes of self-perception, familial hardship, and the profound cost of neglecting one's inner self due to external obligations, setting a tone of vulnerability and longing that resonates throughout the Song.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 1:6 is richly imbued with several potent literary devices that amplify its emotional and thematic weight. The most prominent is Metaphor, with the "vineyard" serving as a central, evolving image. Initially referring to literal vineyards she was compelled to tend, it powerfully transforms into a symbol for her inner self, her personal life, or her well-being, which she was tragically unable to cultivate. The phrase "the sun hath looked upon me" employs vivid Personification, attributing the human action of "looking" and observing to the sun, thereby vividly portraying its intense, tanning effect as an active agent. There is also a strong sense of Contrast woven throughout the verse: the stark difference between her forced labor in others' vineyards and the poignant neglect of her own; and the implied contrast between her sun-darkened, labor-worn appearance and the societal ideals of beauty. The entire verse functions as a deeply personal Lament or Confession, as the Shulamite openly expresses her sorrow, vulnerability, and the painful reality of her circumstances, effectively invoking empathy and understanding from the listener.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse resonates deeply with profound biblical themes of identity, stewardship, and the true nature of beauty. The Shulamite's struggle with her outward appearance and the neglect of her "own vineyard" speaks to the universal human challenge of finding self-worth beyond superficial external validation and diligently cultivating one's inner life. The Bible consistently emphasizes that true beauty and enduring value are not found in fleeting appearances or conforming to societal standards, but rather in the condition of the heart and the development of godly character. Furthermore, the concept of "keeping" one's vineyard extends beyond physical labor to the spiritual discipline of guarding one's heart, mind, and spirit from destructive influences, and actively nurturing a vibrant relationship with God. It underscores the critical importance of intentional self-care, not as selfishness, but as a necessary foundation for healthy relationships, effective service to others, and a life of spiritual fruitfulness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Shulamite's poignant lament in Song of Solomon 1:6 offers a profound and relatable mirror for our own lives in the modern world. In a society that often pressures us to conform to external standards of beauty, success, or productivity, her words serve as a powerful reminder that true worth is never diminished by perceived imperfections or the honest marks of diligent labor. Her confession, "mine own vineyard have I not kept," is a potent call to profound self-awareness and intentional living. It challenges each of us to critically examine where we are truly investing our most precious resources: our time, energy, and emotional capacity. Are we, like the Shulamite, so consumed by external demands, the expectations of others, or even the "vineyards" of our jobs, social obligations, or the needs of those around us, that we inadvertently neglect our own spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being? Cultivating our "own vineyard" means consciously prioritizing our intimate relationship with God, diligently nurturing our inner life, establishing healthy boundaries, and consistently engaging in practices that genuinely restore, refresh, and sustain us. It is a vital call to holistic stewardship of the unique life, gifts, and soul that God has entrusted to each of us, ensuring that our inner garden flourishes abundantly even amidst the relentless pressures and demands of the external world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "black" mean in this verse, and is it a negative term?
Answer: In Song of Solomon 1:6, "black" (Hebrew: shᵉcharchôreth) refers to a sun-darkened or swarthy complexion, not an ethnic designation. It is presented by the Shulamite as a source of her insecurity, implying it might be viewed negatively by others because it signified a life of hard outdoor labor, contrasting with the fairer skin often associated with beauty and leisure among the privileged in ancient societies. However, in the preceding verse, Song of Solomon 1:5, she declares, "I am black, but comely," suggesting that while society might view it negatively, she finds a unique beauty in it, especially as her beloved later affirms her beauty without reservation, transcending superficial standards.
What is the significance of "mine own vineyard have I not kept"?
Answer: This phrase is a profoundly rich and central metaphor in the verse. The "vineyard" she was made to keep refers to literal vineyards, implying arduous, sun-exposed labor that consumed her time and energy. "Mine own vineyard," however, symbolizes her personal well-being, inner life, beauty, spiritual condition, or unfulfilled potential. Her lament means that while she was forced to expend her energy and time on others' property and tasks, she tragically neglected her own self-care, personal development, or spiritual cultivation. It speaks to the profound cost of external obligations when they come at the expense of one's inner flourishing and highlights the crucial importance of self-stewardship. This resonates deeply with the biblical principle of guarding one's heart and soul, as powerfully articulated in Proverbs 4:23.
Why were her "mother's children" angry with her?
Answer: The text does not explicitly state the precise reason for their anger, but it strongly implies a punitive or exploitative action. "Mother's children" most likely refers to her step-siblings or half-siblings, a common and often complex family dynamic in polygamous societies of the ancient Near East. Their anger could stem from various sources: jealousy (perhaps of her inherent beauty or potential, despite her current state), resentment over her status, or a desire to assert dominance and exploit her labor for their own benefit. This familial strife highlights the challenging and oppressive circumstances she faced, forcing her into a life of toil that directly shaped her appearance and severely limited her personal freedom and ability to thrive.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Shulamite's lament in Song of Solomon 1:6, marked by her sun-darkened skin from forced labor and the poignant confession of neglecting her "own vineyard," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus, the ultimate Beloved and Good Shepherd, perfectly kept His "own vineyard"—His life, His divine mission, His unbroken relationship with the Father—even while enduring immense toil and suffering for the sake of others. Unlike the Shulamite, who was compelled into labor and lamented the neglect of her own well-being, Christ willingly emptied Himself, taking on the very form of a servant, and becoming "black" with the shame, curse, and sin of humanity on the cross (Philippians 2:7-8). He bore the righteous "anger" of God's judgment against sin, becoming the ultimate "keeper" of God's vineyard—His elect people—never neglecting His divine purpose or His own spiritual communion with the Father, even in the agony of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42). Through His perfect obedience and sacrificial atonement, Christ offers us true rest from our own futile labors and the crushing burden of self-neglect. He invites us into His perfectly kept vineyard, where our true identity and beauty are found not in outward appearance or the marks of toil, but in His imputed righteousness and transforming grace. He promises to tend to our "vineyard"—our very souls—cultivating growth, fruitfulness, and healing, ensuring that we, who were once "black" with sin and shame, are made "comely" and radiant in His sight, presented to Himself as a glorious church (Ephesians 5:27). He is the one who truly leads us to green pastures and still waters, ensuring our souls are nourished and kept, even when we are weary and heavily burdened (Matthew 11:28).