Song of Solomon 6:1
What does Song of Solomon 6:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 6:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 6:1 means
The daughters of Jerusalem address the Shulammite with honor, calling her “fairest among women,” and ask where her beloved has gone. Their question implies both admiration for her and confidence in her knowledge of him. They are ready to assist: “that we may seek him with thee.” Love here draws community interest and participation. The verse shows that sincere love is not ashamed to be sought and shared in the open. It also portrays the beloved as someone worth pursuing—his presence is desirable, not merely to the bride, but to those who witness their affection. The scene sets a tone of earnest inquiry and respectful support rather than gossip or rivalry.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? Whither hath thy beloved turned him, That we may seek him with thee?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? Whither hath thy beloved turned him, That we may seek him with thee?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Where is your loved one gone, O most fair among women? Where is your loved one turned away, that we may go looking for him with you?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Whither hath thy beloved gone, O fair among women? Whither hath thy beloved turned, And we seek him with thee?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the bed of aromatical spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Whither is thy beloved gone, Thou fairest among women? Whither is thy beloved turned aside? And we will seek him with thee.
Context
This opening question launches the chapter by turning from separation and longing to an active search. The chorus invites the Shulammite to name the beloved’s whereabouts so they can join her. What follows is her calm, confident reply (verse 2), and then a renewed confession of mutual belonging (verse 3). The frame matters because it moves the story from anxiety to assurance: the community’s question becomes the doorway for the bride’s faith-filled answer and for the beloved’s subsequent lavish praise (verses 4–10).
v.1This passage
v.2My beloved is gone down to his garden, To the beds of spices, To feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Song of Solomon 6:4
Thou art fair, O my love, as Tirzah, Comely as Jerusalem, Terrible as an army with banners.
- Ruth 1:16
And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, and to return from following after thee, for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God;
- Song of Solomon 2:2
As a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.
- Zechariah 8:21
and the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to entreat the favor of Jehovah, and to seek Jehovah of hosts: I will go also.
- Acts 5:11
And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.
- Ruth 2:12
Jehovah recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of Jehovah, the God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to take refuge.
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