Song of Solomon 1:5-6 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:6

Look not upon me, because I am swarthy, because the sun hath scorched me. My mother's sons were incensed against me; they made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. The meaning seems to be—Do not let the swarthiness of my complexion lower me in your eyes. Literally the words are, Do not see me that I am ; i.e. do not regard me as being, because I am. There is no necessity to suppose any looks of the ladies to have suggested the words. They are the words of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:6

The keeper of the vineyards. Men have put into their charge responsibilities concerning others, and these they may to some extent worthily observe. They may promote the interest of their family, the comfort of their household and dependants. They may even give time and money to advance schemes of benevolence and religion. But the question suggested by the language of the text is this—What are they the better for regarding the welfare of others if they neglect their own? if, being guardians... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Song of Solomon 1:5-8

This section is made by the Targumist and other Jewish interpreters to adumbrate the condition of Israel in the wilderness; by some Christian expositors, that of the Gentile Church on her first conversion.Song of Solomon 1:5I am black ... - Dark-hued, as the tents of Kedar with their black goats’ hair coverings, rough and weather-stained, “but comely (beautiful) as the rich hangings which adorn the pavilion of Solomon. Kedar was the name of an Arab tribe Genesis 25:13; Psalms 120:5. The word... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Song of Solomon 1:5

Song of Solomon 1:5. I am black I confess, as to myself, I am contemptible and deformed. She alludes to the complexion of Pharaoh’s daughter; but comely Yet I am glorious within, Psalms 45:13; and comely, through the beauty which my husband hath put upon me, by his graces conferred upon me, in justification and sanctification. O ye daughters By which she understands particular believers, whose mother Jerusalem is called, Galatians 4:26. As the tents of Kedar Of the wild Arabians,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Song of Solomon 1:6

Song of Solomon 1:6. Look not upon me With wonder and disdain; because the sun hath looked upon me My blackness is not essential and inseparable, but chiefly caused by the scorching beams of the sun; that is, sore persecutions and tribulations, which, by God’s permission, have befallen me, represented by the sun, Matthew 13:6-21. My mother’s children were angry with me False brethren, who pretend that the church is their mother, when their actions demonstrate, that God, the husband of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:1-7

1:1-2:7 OPENING EXCHANGES OF PRAISEThe girl longs for her lover (1:1-7)After an introductory note (1:1), the collection opens with a poem spoken by the girl in praise of her absent lover. At times she imagines she is speaking to him, at times she thinks about him, but always she longs for his love and attention. She thinks that all girls must love such a handsome young man. To her he is king, and she imagines the coming wedding day when he takes her into his room, praises her beauty and makes... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Song of Solomon 1:5

black = swarthy (feminine) daughters of Jerusalem: i.e. the ladies of Solomon's court. Kedar = dark. All Kedar's tents were black. as. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "[but comely] as the curtains of Solomon". Required by the Alternation: a| swarthy. a | as Kedar's tents. b| comely. b | as Solomon's curtains. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Song of Solomon 1:6

Look not upon me = Look not down on: i.e. regard me not. Compare 1 Chronicles 17:17 . Psalms 106:44 . the sun hath looked. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia ( App-6 ), to emphasize the cause of her swarthiness. children = sons: i.e. her brothers are referred to as speaking as in Song of Solomon 2:15 , and see note on p. 921 and Compare Song of Solomon 8:8 . have I not kept = I never kept. She says this to show the harsh treatment of her brothers. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Song of Solomon 1:5

THE SHULAMITE RESPONDS TO CONTEMPTUOUS CRITICISM"I am black but comely,O ye daughters of Jerusalem,As the tents of Kedar,As the curtains of Solomon.Look not upon me, because I am swarthy,Because the sun hath scorched me.My mother's sons were incensed against me:They made me keeper of the vineyards;But mine own vineyard have I not kept.Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth,Where thou feedest thy flock,Where thou makest it to rest at noon;For why should I be as one that is veiledBeside the flocks... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Song of Solomon 1:5

Song of Solomon 1:5. I am black, but comely— The word שׁחורה shechorah, rendered black, signifies brown, swarthy, or dark-complexioned, and denotes such a duskiness as that of the morning, when some little light begins to appear. The appellation of fair, which is given to the bride in the sequel, is only meant in the general sense of lovely or beautiful. The tents of the wild Arabs, called in Scripture קדר אהלי ahalei keidar, are to this day of a dark or black colour, being made of the shaggy... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Song of Solomon 1:5-8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Song of Solomon 1:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Song of Solomon 1:6

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:1-7

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Song of Solomon 1:5

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Song of Solomon 1:6

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Song of Solomon 1:5

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Song of Solomon 1:5

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