Song of Solomon 1:5
What does Song of Solomon 1:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 1:5 means
She acknowledges being sun-darkened—“black, but comely”—addressing the daughters of Jerusalem who might judge by courtly standards that prized paler skin. She likens herself to the tents of Kedar, dark and weathered, and to the curtains of Solomon, splendid and rich. The pairing says her appearance carries both ruggedness and beauty. She owns her dignity even while anticipating others’ scrutiny. This verse honors diverse forms of beauty and suggests that true loveliness can be found where hard labor and simplicity, not luxury, have shaped a person’s life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I am black, but comely, Oh ye daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, As the curtains of Solomon.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I am black, but comely, Oh ye daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, As the curtains of Solomon.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I am dark, but fair of form, O daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Dark <FI>am<Fi> I, and comely, daughters of Jerusalem, As tents of Kedar, as curtains of Solomon.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Do not consider me that I am brown, because the sun hath altered my colour: the sons of my mother have fought against me, they have made me the keeper in the vineyards: my vineyard I have not kept.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I am black, but comely, daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, As the curtains of Solomon.
Context
After the joy of entering the king’s chambers, the woman turns to the court ladies, naming a tension: how will they see her? Verses 5–6 explain her background and why she looks as she does. The contrast between the royal setting and her rustic experience sets up her appeal in verse 7 to find her beloved in pastoral places. This movement helps readers see love bridging different worlds—the palace and the fields—while the beloved’s later affirmations will answer her insecurity.
v.4Draw me; we will run after thee: The king hath brought me into his chambers; We will be glad and rejoice in thee; We will make mention of thy love more than of wine: Rightly do they love thee.
v.5This passage
v.6Look 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Song of Solomon 4:3
Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, And thy mouth is comely. Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate Behind thy veil.
- Isaiah 60:7
All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee; they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar; and I will glorify the house of my glory.
- Song of Solomon 5:16
His mouth is most sweet; Yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
- Ezekiel 16:14
And thy renown went forth among the nations for thy beauty; for it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord Jehovah.
- Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her own brood under her wings, and ye would not!
- Song of Solomon 3:5
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.
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