Song of Solomon 6:10
What does Song of Solomon 6:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 6:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 6:10 means
A chorus-like voice asks, “Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, terrible as an army with banners?” Dawn, moon, and sun convey increasing radiance and steady clarity; the bannered army adds majesty and awe. Her presence dawns gently yet grows to full brilliance. She is both soothing and commanding. The question is rhetorical admiration: the onlookers struggle to describe a beauty that is both celestial and regal. She is not glitzy; she is luminous, not fleeting; she is steadfast, not timid; she is formidable. True beauty, as seen here, can comfort and conquer at once.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, Fair as the moon, Clear as the sun, Terrible as an army with banners?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, Fair as the moon, Clear as the sun, Terrible as an army with banners?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who is she, looking down as the morning light, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, who is to be feared like an army with flags?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Who <FI>is<Fi> this that is looking forth as morning, Fair as the moon--clear as the sun, Awe-inspiring as bannered hosts?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I went down into the garden of nuts, to see the fruits of the valleys, and to look if the vineyard had flourished, and the pomegranates budded.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Who is she that looketh forth as the dawn, Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, Terrible as troops with banners?
Context
Following the beloved’s declaration of her uniqueness (verse 9), the community responds with amazement, layering cosmic images upon the royal ones. This sets a public stage for the next shift, when the Shulammite herself speaks about going to the garden (verse 11). The flow matters: corporate praise and marvel precede her private reflection and sudden elevation (verse 12). The transition from cosmic imagery to garden imagery underscores how her splendor shines both in public acclaim and in the cultivated, intimate spaces of love.
v.9My dove, my undefiled, is but one; She is the only one of her mother; She is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and called her blessed; Yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
v.10This passage
v.11I went down into the garden of nuts, To see the green plants of the valley, To see whether the vine budded, Andthe pomegranates were in flower.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 22:5
And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
- Ephesians 5:27
that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
- Isaiah 58:8
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy healing shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of Jehovah shall be thy rearward.
- Job 31:26
If I have beheld the sun when it shined, Or the moon walking in brightness,
- Hosea 6:5
Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
- Revelation 22:16
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star.
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