Song Of Solomon 7:5

KJV

Thine head upon thee [is] like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king [is] held in the galleries.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thine head {H7218} upon thee is like Carmel {H3760}, and the hair {H1803} of thine head {H7218} like purple {H713}; the king {H4428} is held {H631} in the galleries {H7298}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You hold your head like the Karmel, and the hair on your head is like purple cloth — the king is held captive in its tresses.

Berean Standard Bible

Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel, the hair of your head like purple threads; the king is captured in your tresses.

American Standard Version

Thy head upon thee is like Carmel, And the hair of thy head like purple; The king is held captive in the tresses thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 7:5 presents a vivid and passionate declaration of the beloved's captivating beauty, likely from the king to the Shulamite woman. The verse focuses on her head and hair, employing rich natural and regal imagery to convey her majestic allure and the profound, almost overwhelming, effect she has on him. It symbolizes the deep enthrallment and delight found in an intimate, reciprocal love, where the beloved's presence is utterly captivating.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of a detailed and fervent encomium (praise poem) of the Shulamite's physical beauty, delivered by her lover, the king, found in [Song of Solomon 7:1-9](/song_of_solomon/7-1-9 "Song of Solomon 7:1-9 - The King's Praise of the Shulamite"). The description proceeds systematically, starting from her feet and moving upwards, culminating in this verse with her head and hair—features often considered the pinnacle of a person's beauty. This upward progression emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the king's admiration. Following this elaborate praise, the Shulamite responds with an invitation for her beloved to join her in the fields, expressing her desire for intimacy and the blossoming of their love, as depicted in [Song of Solomon 7:10-13](/song_of_solomon/7-10-13 "Song of Solomon 7:10-13 - The Shulamite's Invitation"). This narrative flow highlights the mutual admiration, deep affection, and reciprocal desire that characterize their profound bond.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, physical beauty was highly esteemed, often associated with divine blessing and favor. [Mount Carmel](/song_of_solomon/7-5 "Song of Solomon 7:5 - Carmel"), a prominent geographical feature, was celebrated for its lush forests, fertile slopes, and majestic height, serving as a powerful symbol of natural grandeur, abundance, and striking beauty. Comparing the Shulamite's head to Carmel evokes a sense of regal prominence, verdant richness, and an awe-inspiring presence. [Purple dye](/song_of_solomon/7-5 "Song of Solomon 7:5 - Purple") was exceedingly rare and expensive, derived from murex snails, and thus exclusively associated with royalty, wealth, and high status. Its use here elevates the Shulamite's hair to a level of exquisite preciousness and nobility, befitting a queen or someone held in the highest esteem. The term "[galleries](/song_of_solomon/7-5 "Song of Solomon 7:5 - Galleries")" (Hebrew _rahaṭ_) could refer to architectural features like colonnades or balconies, but in a poetic context, it might also allude to flowing locks of hair or even the intricate channels of a water trough, alluding to something captivating, intricate, and irresistible.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Song of Solomon. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Captivating Beauty**, portraying the Shulamite's physical attributes in terms that evoke awe and deep admiration, highlighting how her appearance profoundly impacts her beloved. Secondly, the imagery of "Carmel" and "purple" reinforces the theme of **Regal Allure and Esteem**, suggesting that her beauty is not merely attractive but possesses a majestic quality, worthy of a king's profound respect and adoration. Finally, the declaration that "the king is held in the galleries" speaks to the **Overpowering Nature of Love and Desire**, illustrating how true love and beauty can utterly enthrall and enchant, even someone of great power and authority. This echoes other expressions of the king's profound affection, such as his declaration in [Song of Solomon 4:9](/song_of_solomon/4-9 "Song of Solomon 4:9 - You have ravished my heart") that she has "ravished my heart."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hair (Hebrew, _dallâh'_):** From דָּלָה; properly, something dangling, i.e. a loose thread or hair; figuratively, indigent; hair, pining sickness, poor(-est sort). In this context, it refers to the flowing, perhaps luxuriant, locks of the Shulamite's hair, emphasizing its visual appeal, abundance, and the way it cascades.
* **Carmel (Hebrew, _Karmel'_):** The same as כַּרְמֶל; Karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in Palestine; Carmel, fruitful (plentiful) field, (place). Mount Carmel was celebrated for its fertility, majestic height, and verdant beauty. Comparing the Shulamite's head to Carmel suggests a sense of grandeur, natural splendor, and a rich, abundant appearance, like a prominent and fertile landmark.
* **held (Hebrew, _ʼâçar'_):** A primitive root; to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle; bind, fast, gird, harness, hold, keep, make ready, order, prepare, prison(-er), put in bonds, set in array, tie. This verb powerfully conveys the king's state of being utterly captivated, bound, or ensnared by the Shulamite's beauty, indicating a profound and irresistible enthrallment rather than a mere admiration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thine head upon thee is like Carmel":** The Shulamite's head is compared to Mount Carmel, a prominent and fertile mountain known for its majestic beauty. This simile suggests majesty, natural beauty, and perhaps a sense of lofty dignity or abundant attractiveness. It implies her head, and by extension her entire presence, is as grand and captivating as a renowned, verdant landscape.
* **"and the hair of thine head like purple":** Her hair is likened to purple, a color associated with royalty, wealth, and luxury due to its rarity and expense. This simile highlights the exquisite beauty, richness, and preciousness of her hair, suggesting it is not only beautiful in color but also in its texture and abundance, akin to a royal fabric or treasure.
* **"the king is held in the galleries":** This phrase describes the profound and irresistible effect of her beauty on the king. The term "galleries" (Hebrew _rahaṭ_) can refer to architectural features or, poetically, to flowing locks of hair. Regardless of the precise interpretation, the meaning is clear: the king is utterly captivated, bound, or enthralled by her beauty, particularly by her hair, as if caught in its intricate allure or drawn into an intimate, enchanting space from which he cannot escape.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 7:5 is rich in literary artistry, employing several devices to convey the Shulamite's captivating beauty and its effect on the king. The most prominent device is **Simile**, used twice to draw vivid comparisons: "Thine head upon thee is like Carmel" and "the hair of thine head like purple." These similes elevate the Shulamite's beauty by associating it with natural grandeur (Mount Carmel) and royal luxury (purple dye). **Symbolism** is also heavily employed; Carmel symbolizes majesty, fertility, and natural splendor, while purple symbolizes royalty, wealth, and preciousness. Together, they imbue the Shulamite with a queenly aura. The phrase "the king is held in the galleries" can be interpreted as a **Metaphor** for the king's complete enthrallment, where her beauty, particularly her hair, acts as an irresistible, binding force. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in the king being "held," suggesting an almost overwhelming and irresistible power in her beauty that utterly captivates even a sovereign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, within the broader context of the Song of Solomon, offers profound insights into the nature of human love and its divine reflection. It celebrates the deep admiration and delight that one person can have for another, a beauty that is both physical and deeply captivating to the soul. The detailed praise of the Shulamite's beauty, culminating in the king's utter enthrallment, speaks to the sacredness and intensity of marital love as a gift from God. It highlights how genuine love sees and cherishes the beloved in their unique glory, finding them utterly captivating. This human experience of delight and being "held" by love foreshadows the divine love that God has for His people, a love that finds them beautiful and draws them into intimate communion, delighting in their presence.

* [Psalm 45:11](/psalms/45-11 "Psalm 45:11 - The King Desires Your Beauty")
* [Proverbs 5:18-19](/proverbs/5-18-19 "Proverbs 5:18-19 - Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth")
* [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 7:5 serves as a beautiful reminder of the importance of affirmation and appreciation within relationships. The king's detailed and passionate praise of the Shulamite's beauty underscores the value of expressing admiration and delight in our loved ones, not just for their internal qualities but also for their physical presence, which is a part of God's good creation. This verse challenges us to cultivate an eye that truly sees and cherishes the unique beauty of those we love, recognizing that true love finds its beloved utterly captivating. It encourages us to speak words of affirmation that build up and delight, fostering an environment where both partners feel seen, valued, and adored. Beyond romantic love, it can inspire us to appreciate the diverse beauty of God's creation and the unique design of every individual, recognizing the divine artistry in all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the king's detailed praise in this verse inspire you to express appreciation for others in your life?**
* **In what ways does true love "hold" or captivate us, moving beyond mere superficial attraction?**
* **How can we cultivate a perspective that sees and celebrates the unique beauty in others, as God sees them?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of comparing the Shulamite's head to Carmel?**

Answer: Comparing her head to [Mount Carmel](/song_of_solomon/7-5 "Song of Solomon 7:5 - Carmel") signifies a profound sense of natural majesty, grandeur, and abundance. Carmel was renowned for its lush fertility and prominent height, making it a symbol of striking beauty and richness. This comparison suggests that the Shulamite's presence, particularly her head, is as impressive and captivating as this celebrated landmark.

**Why is her hair described as "purple"?**

Answer: Purple was an extremely valuable and rare dye in the ancient world, reserved almost exclusively for royalty, the wealthy, and sacred purposes, as seen in the Tabernacle's furnishings in [Exodus 25:4](/exodus/25-4 "Exodus 25:4 - Purple in the Tabernacle"). Describing her hair as "purple" elevates its beauty to a level of exquisite preciousness, luxury, and regal status. It suggests her hair is not merely beautiful but possesses a rare and noble quality, fitting for someone held in such high esteem by a king.

**What does "the king is held in the galleries" mean?**

Answer: The phrase "the king is held in the galleries" powerfully conveys the king's complete enthrallment and captivity by the Shulamite's beauty. While "galleries" could refer to architectural features or literally to flowing locks of hair, the poetic meaning is clear: her beauty has utterly captivated him, binding him with an irresistible allure. This demonstrates the profound, almost overwhelming, power of love and attraction, where even a king is rendered powerless by the beloved's charm, similar to how his heart was "ravished" in [Song of Solomon 4:9](/song_of_solomon/4-9 "Song of Solomon 4:9 - You have ravished my heart").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 7:5, while celebrating human love, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the relationship between Christ and His Church. Just as the king is utterly captivated by the beauty of his beloved, so too is Christ, the ultimate Bridegroom, enthralled by His Bride, the Church. The Church, though flawed, is made beautiful in His eyes, not by her own merit, but by His redemptive work and the righteousness imputed to her. Her "head like Carmel" speaks to the majesty and spiritual prominence she gains through her union with Christ, who is her head ([Ephesians 5:23](/ephesians/5-23 "Ephesians 5:23 - Christ is the Head of the Church")). Her "hair like purple" symbolizes the royal priesthood and holy nation she becomes through His blood ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")). The declaration that "the king is held in the galleries" beautifully prefigures Christ's deep delight and unwavering commitment to His Church, a love so profound that He gave Himself up for her, to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). The "galleries" become a metaphor for the intimate communion and fellowship where Christ delights in His redeemed people, a place of mutual adoration and profound spiritual bond, where He is eternally "held" by the beauty He Himself has bestowed upon His Bride.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 35:2

It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, [and] the excellency of our God.

Song Of Solomon 4:1

¶ Behold, thou [art] fair, my love; behold, thou [art] fair; thou [hast] doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair [is] as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Psalms 87:2

The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Colossians 2:19

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Song Of Solomon 5:11

His head [is as] the most fine gold, his locks [are] bushy, [and] black as a raven.

Ephesians 4:15

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: