¶ Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.
Whither is thy beloved {H1730} gone {H1980}, O thou fairest {H3303} among women {H802}? whither is thy beloved {H1730} turned aside {H6437}? that we may seek {H1245} him with thee.
[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?
Where has your beloved gone, O most beautiful among women? Which way has he turned? We will seek him with you.
Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? Whither hath thy beloved turned him, That we may seek him with thee?
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Song Of Solomon 5:9
¶ What [is] thy beloved more than [another] beloved, O thou fairest among women? what [is] thy beloved more than [another] beloved, that thou dost so charge us? -
Song Of Solomon 1:8
If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents. -
Jeremiah 14:8
O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man [that] turneth aside to tarry for a night? -
Ruth 2:12
The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. -
Song Of Solomon 6:4
¶ Thou [art] beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as [an army] with banners. -
Song Of Solomon 6:9
My dove, my undefiled is [but] one; she [is] the [only] one of her mother, she [is] the choice [one] of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; [yea], the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. -
Song Of Solomon 6:10
Who [is] she [that] looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, [and] terrible as [an army] with banners?
Song of Solomon 6:1 KJV presents a question from the "daughters of Jerusalem" (the friends or chorus) to the Shulamite woman, who has just described her beloved in glowing detail after losing him. They are intrigued by her description and her distress, and they offer to join her search.
Context
This verse follows the Shulamite's lament in Song of Solomon 5:6 that her beloved had "withdrawn himself, and was gone." Her intense search in the city proved fruitless and even led to mistreatment by the watchmen (Song of Solomon 5:7). When the daughters of Jerusalem ask why she is so distressed and what makes her beloved better than others (Song of Solomon 5:9), she responds with a passionate and elaborate description of his perfections (Song of Solomon 5:10-16). Her heartfelt description prompts their offer of help in this verse.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The question "Whither is thy beloved gone?" is posed by the "daughters of Jerusalem," who represent a community observing the Shulamite's relationship. The phrase "O thou fairest among women" is a term of high praise and affection used for the Shulamite, acknowledging her beauty and perhaps her spiritual state or standing in the community, as seen also in Song of Solomon 1:8 and Song of Solomon 5:9. Their question is not merely curious but leads to an offer of active participation: "that we may seek him with thee."
Reflection
This verse offers a beautiful picture of community support within the context of a personal relationship (or allegorically, the believer's relationship with Christ). When a believer feels distant from God or is struggling in their spiritual walk, the support of fellow believers is invaluable. The church community is called to bear one another's burdens and to encourage one another, especially when someone is earnestly seeking renewed closeness with the Beloved. This verse reminds us that the spiritual journey, while deeply personal, is not meant to be walked alone; there is strength and hope in seeking Him together.