Song of Solomon 5:6
What does Song of Solomon 5:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 5:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 5:6 means
She opens the door, but finds that the Beloved has withdrawn and gone. Her soul “failed” at his speech—she had been overcome by his earlier words—yet the chance has passed. She seeks him but cannot find; she calls, but he does not answer. Loss now replaces the fragrance of expectancy. The verse captures the ache of missed presence and the hollowness that follows delayed love. It is not indifference that remains, but yearning without contact. The language is simple and devastating, portraying the fragile coordination love requires and the grief that follows when it falters.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone.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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone.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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I made the door open to my loved one; but my loved one had taken himself away, and was gone, my soul was feeble when his back was turned on me; I went after him, but I did not come near him; I said his name, but he gave me no answer.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I opened to my beloved, But my beloved withdrew--he passed on, My soul went forth when he spake, I sought him, and found him not. I called him, and he answered me not.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I opened the bolt of my door to my beloved: but he had turned aside, and was gone. My soul melted when he spoke: I sought him, and found him not: I called, and he did not answer me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself; he was gone: My soul went forth when he spoke. I sought him, but I found him not; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
Context
This is the emotional pivot of the episode. The rich anticipation of verse 5 receives a stark reversal. The Beloved’s absence propels the bride out of her room and into the night, echoing earlier search scenes in the Song but with heavier consequences. The following verse will take her into the city’s watchmen, not as helpers but as those who wound, deepening the theme of vulnerability and underscoring how costly the search for the Beloved can become.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Samuel 16:10
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Because he curseth, and because Jehovah hath said unto him, Curse David; who then shall say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
- Psalms 88:9
Mine eye wasteth away by reason of affliction: I have called daily upon thee, O Jehovah; I have spread forth my hands unto thee.
- Song of Solomon 3:1
By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
- Psalms 69:3
I am weary with my crying; my throat is dried: Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
- Mark 14:72
And straightway the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word, how that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
- Isaiah 12:1
And in that day thou shalt say, I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah; for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away and thou comfortest me.
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