Song of Solomon 6:5
What does Song of Solomon 6:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 6:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 6:5 means
He pleads for her to turn her eyes away because they have “overcome” him—her gaze pierces with irresistible power. Her hair is likened to a flock of goats on Gilead’s slopes, suggesting dark, flowing abundance that captivates the eye. The point is not animal imagery for its own sake but movement, texture, and richness. Her beauty disarms him; her presence commands and humbles him. Love here is vulnerable: even a king confesses himself conquered by his bride’s look. This is admiration that dignifies her rather than objectifies her—her personhood, signaled by her eyes, wields the greatest power, while her outward features harmonize with that inner sway.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Turn away thine eyes from me, For they have overcome me. Thy hair is as a flock of goats, That lie along the side of Gilead.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Turn away thine eyes from me, For they have overcome me. Thy hair is as a flock of goats, That lie along the side of Gilead.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let your eyes be turned away from me; see, they have overcome me; your hair is as a flock of goats which take their rest on the side of Gilead.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Turn round thine eyes from before me, Because they have made me proud. Thy hair <FI>is<Fi> as a row of the goats, That have shone from Gilead,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thy teeth as a flock of sheep, which come up from the washing, all with twins, and there is none barren among them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Turn away thine eyes from me, For they overcome me. Thy hair is as a flock of goats On the slopes of Gilead.
Context
Continuing the beloved’s praise (begun in verse 4), verse 5 moves from grand comparisons to specific features. It introduces a personal, intimate angle—her gaze and hair—before proceeding to teeth and temples (verses 6–7). This sequence showcases how both her presence as a whole and her individual features evoke admiration. After these personal details, the praise will pivot to her uniqueness among many women (verses 8–9), broadening the scope from private perception to public recognition.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 15:27
But she said, Yea, Lord: for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
- Song of Solomon 4:1
Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thine eyes are as doves behind thy veil. Thy hair is as a flock of goats, That lie along the side of mount Gilead.
- Genesis 32:26
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
- Exodus 32:10
now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
- Jeremiah 15:1
Then said Jehovah unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
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