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Song Of Solomon 5:6

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I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, [and] was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

I opened {H6605} to my beloved {H1730}; but my beloved {H1730} had withdrawn {H2559} himself, and was gone {H5674}: my soul {H5315} failed {H3318} when he spake {H1696}: I sought {H1245} him, but I could not find {H4672} him; I called {H7121} him, but he gave me no answer {H6030}.

I opened for my darling, but my darling had turned and gone. My heart had failed me when he spoke I sought him, but I couldn't find him; I called him, but he didn't answer.

I opened for my beloved, but he had turned and gone. My heart sank at his departure. I sought him, but did not find him. I called, but he did not answer.

I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone. My soul had failed me when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

Commentary

Song of Solomon 5:6 describes a poignant moment of regret and desperate searching experienced by the Shulamite woman. After her beloved calls and she hesitates to open, she finally responds only to find he has departed, leading to a frantic and sorrowful quest for his presence.

Context

This verse is part of a vivid dream sequence in Song of Solomon chapter 5, where the beloved comes to the Shulamite's door late at night. In the preceding verses (Song of Solomon 5:2-5), he knocks and asks her to open, but she makes excuses due to her comfort and reluctance to disturb herself. By the time she overcomes her inertia and opens the door, he has already withdrawn. This narrative serves as a powerful allegory, often interpreted as the soul's relationship with God or Christ, highlighting the importance of immediate response to spiritual calls and the consequences of delay.

Key Themes

  • Delayed Response and Its Consequences: The Shulamite's hesitation leads directly to the beloved's absence and her subsequent distress. This underscores the spiritual truth that delaying obedience or neglecting an invitation can lead to a temporary loss of perceived divine presence.
  • Earnest Pursuit and Longing: Despite her initial delay, her reaction upon finding him gone is one of intense longing and active searching. "I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer." This depicts a soul desperate to restore a cherished relationship, emphasizing the value she places on his presence.
  • Spiritual Allegory of Seeking God: For many, this passage symbolizes the believer's experience of spiritual dryness or a perceived absence of God's presence, often after a period of spiritual complacency or neglect. It encourages a diligent and heartfelt seeking of God with all one's heart, even when He seems distant.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "withdrawn himself, and was gone" translates the Hebrew words ḥāmaq (חמק - to withdraw, slip away) and ʿāvar (עבר - to pass over, be gone). This conveys a swift and decisive departure, emphasizing that his absence was not merely a brief step away but a complete withdrawal. The phrase "my soul failed when he spake" (Hebrew: yatze'ah nafshi bidvārō - יצאה נפשי בדברו) can be understood as her spirit or life force leaving her, signifying extreme emotional distress, shock, or a profound sense of loss upon realizing his departure, or perhaps even from the impact of his earlier words/call.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  1. Respond Promptly to God's Call: Just as the Shulamite regretted her delay, we are encouraged to be quick to respond to God's promptings, whether it's through His Word, the Holy Spirit, or opportunities to serve. Delay can lead to missed opportunities or a perceived distance in our relationship with Him.
  2. Persevere in Seeking: Even when we experience spiritual dryness or feel that God is distant, this passage encourages persistent and earnest seeking. The Shulamite's relentless search, despite not immediately finding her beloved, mirrors the perseverance required in our faith journey. As it says, "Seek, and ye shall find."
  3. Value God's Presence: The pain of the Shulamite's loss underscores the immense value of the beloved's presence. Similarly, this verse reminds us to cherish God's presence in our lives and to prioritize our relationship with Him above personal comfort or worldly distractions.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Song Of Solomon 5:2 (5 votes)

    ¶ I sleep, but my heart waketh: [it is] the voice of my beloved that knocketh, [saying], Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, [and] my locks with the drops of the night.

  • Revelation 3:19 (3 votes)

    As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

  • Song Of Solomon 6:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.

  • Hosea 5:15 (2 votes)

    I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

  • Luke 22:61 (2 votes)

    And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

  • Luke 22:62 (2 votes)

    And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

  • 1 Samuel 28:6 (2 votes)

    And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.