Song of Solomon 7:5
What does Song of Solomon 7:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 7:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 7:5 means
Her head is likened to Carmel, a prominent, majestic height—suggesting elevation, distinction, and natural grandeur. Her hair is compared to purple, the color of royalty, and its effect is captivating: even a king is taken prisoner by her tresses. This is not about domineering power but the lawful sway of love; her beauty holds him willingly. The images elevate her from mere attractiveness to queenly presence, showing how her person commands awe without harshness. The beloved is glad to be mastered by such loveliness, revealing the paradox of love’s rule: in yielding to it, one finds joy rather than loss.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thy head upon thee is like Carmel, And the hair of thy head like purple; The king is held captive in the tresses thereof.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thy head upon thee is like Carmel, And the hair of thy head like purple; The king is held captive in the tresses thereof.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Your head is like Carmel, and the hair of your head is like purple, in whose net the king is prisoner.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thy head upon thee as Carmel, And the locks of thy head as purple, The king is bound with the flowings!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thy head is like Carmel: and the hairs of thy head as the purple of the king bound in the channels.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thy head upon thee is like Carmel, And the locks of thy head like purple; The king is fettered by [thy] ringlets!
Context
After architectural and geographic images, the praise reaches a summit: head and hair presented with royal and mountainous grandeur. This caps the feet-to-head ascent begun in verse 1. With the admiration complete, the beloved will turn to a summary of delight (verse 6) and then to vivid desire (verses 7–9). Understanding this structure helps the reader see verse 5 as the crown of the portrait, setting the tone for the heartfelt exclamation that immediately follows and the intensifying intimacy thereafter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
- Ephesians 4:15
but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;
- Ephesians 1:22
and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,
- Revelation 1:14
And his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
- Psalms 87:2
Jehovah loveth the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob.
- Psalms 68:24
They have seen thy goings, O God, Even the goings of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
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