Song of Solomon 5:9
What does Song of Solomon 5:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 5:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 5:9 means
The daughters of Jerusalem answer with a challenge and a compliment. Calling her the “fairest among women,” they still ask what sets her Beloved apart from any other that she would adjure them so earnestly. Their question is not hostile; it prompts testimony. If he is truly unique, let her say how. This exchange functions like a spark, inviting the bride to voice the excellences that have won her heart. It prepares the ground for praise born from longing, where recounting his beauty becomes both defense and delight.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? What is thy beloved more than another beloved, That thou dost so adjure us?
KJV
King James Version · 1611What 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? What is thy beloved more than another beloved, That thou dost so adjure us?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What is your loved one more than another, O fairest among women? What is your loved one more than another, that you say this to us?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862What <FI>is<Fi> thy beloved above <FI>any<Fi> beloved, O fair among women? What <FI>is<Fi> thy beloved above <FI>any<Fi> beloved, That thus thou hast adjured us?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752What manner of one is thy beloved of the beloved, O thou most beautiful among women? what manner of one is thy beloved of the beloved, that thou hast so adjured us?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890What is thy beloved more than [another] beloved, Thou fairest among women? What is thy beloved more than [another] beloved, That thou dost so charge us?
Context
This verse forms the hinge between appeal and description. Having been asked to justify her urgency, the bride will now pour out a wasf—a structured, poetic portrayal—honoring her Beloved feature by feature. The next verses (10–16) will answer the daughters’ question with an avalanche of precious images, culminating in a personal claim that he is not only desirable but also her intimate companion and friend.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 16:13
Now when Jesus came into the parts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is?
- Psalms 45:13
The king’s daughter within the palace is all glorious: Her clothing is inwrought with gold.
- Song of Solomon 6:1
Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? Whither hath thy beloved turned him, That we may seek him with thee?
- Matthew 21:10
And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, Who is this?
- Isaiah 53:2
For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
- 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.
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