Song Of Solomon 5:11 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Song Of Solomon 5:11 kjv
His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
Song Of Solomon 5:11 nkjv
His head is like the finest gold; His locks are wavy, And black as a raven.
Song Of Solomon 5:11 niv
His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven.
Song Of Solomon 5:11 esv
His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven.
Song Of Solomon 5:11 nlt
His head is finest gold,
his wavy hair is black as a raven.
Song Of Solomon 5 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 25:11 | "Overlay it with pure gold; overlay it inside and out..." | Gold symbolizes divine presence/holiness. |
| Ex 30:3 | "You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top, its sides all around..." | Pure gold for sacred objects. |
| Ps 21:3 | "You have set a crown of fine gold upon his head." | Gold as royal insignia. |
| Job 22:25 | "and the Almighty will be your gold, and fine silver for you." | God as the ultimate source of wealth/value. |
| Ps 19:10 | "More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold..." | Wisdom/commandments more precious than gold. |
| Prov 16:16 | "How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is more..." | Wisdom's superior value. |
| Mal 3:3 | "...and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold..." | Gold as symbol of purity through refining. |
| 1 Pet 1:7 | "...that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold..." | Faith's enduring value over perishing gold. |
| Rev 3:18 | "...counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire..." | Spiritual riches and tested faith. |
| Rev 21:18 | "The wall was built of jasper, and the city was pure gold, like clear..." | Heavenly perfection and glory as pure gold. |
| 1 Chr 29:4 | "...3,000 talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir..." | Gold as wealth and for building the temple. |
| Isa 13:12 | "...I will make people scarcer than fine gold, and mankind scarcer than..." | Scarcity of the finest gold for emphasis. |
| Eph 1:22 | "...he made him head over all things for the church..." | Christ's ultimate authority as Head. |
| Eph 5:23 | "...Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior." | Christ's leadership and saving role. |
| Col 1:18 | "He is the head of the body, the church..." | Christ as the origin and sustainer. |
| Col 2:10 | "...and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule..." | Christ's supreme power over all. |
| Judg 16:17 | "...If my head were shaved, then my strength would leave me..." | Hair's symbolic link to strength/vows. |
| Lev 21:5 | "They shall not make bald patches on their heads, nor shave off the edges..." | Hair as a marker of identity/status/consecration. |
| Prov 16:31 | "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life." | Hair's association with honor and age. |
| Prov 20:29 | "The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is..." | Youthful strength vs. aged wisdom (related to hair). |
| Rev 1:14 | "The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow." | Contrasting hair color for divine purity/age. |
| Dan 7:9 | "...His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure..." | White hair for the Ancient of Days (purity, age). |
| Gen 8:7 | "...and he sent forth a raven. It went to and fro..." | Raven noted for its distinctive dark color. |
| Lev 11:15 | "...and the raven according to its kind." | Raven identified as distinct. |
| Prov 30:17 | "The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked..." | Raven imagery used to signify deep blackness. |
Song Of Solomon 5 verses
Song Of Solomon 5 11 meaning
Song of Solomon 5:11 provides an exquisite description of the Beloved, focusing on his head and hair, to portray unparalleled majesty, purity, and beauty. His "head is purest gold" conveys immense value, authority, and divine glory, suggesting a radiant and perfect mind or leadership. His "hair is wavy and black as a raven" describes luxurious, youthful vitality and striking physical attractiveness, highlighting a captivating, deep blackness and rich texture. This verse captures a hyperbolic ideal of physical perfection, symbolizing the Beloved's supreme worth and captivating nature.
Song Of Solomon 5 11 Context
Song of Solomon chapter 5 presents a shift in the narrative, primarily featuring a dream sequence by the Shulamite, followed by her intense emotional longing for her beloved. She attempts to open the door for him, but by the time she does, he has gone (5:2-6). Her desperate search for him leads her to interact with the "daughters of Jerusalem," who question her about the unique qualities of her beloved. This particular verse (5:11) is part of her elaborate, detailed, and poetic response (5:10-16), where she systematically describes her Beloved from head to foot. She is painting a verbal portrait, expressing her deep admiration and idealizing his physical form to justify her passionate love and highlight his unparalleled worth in her eyes, arguing that he surpasses all others. Historically, such vivid descriptive poems were common in ancient Near Eastern love poetry, using rich metaphors to praise the beloved.
Song Of Solomon 5 11 Word analysis
- His head (רֹאשׁוֹ - ro'sho)
- Signifies: The topmost part of the body, metaphorically representing leadership, authority, the source of thought, wisdom, and honor. It's the crown of the physical being.
- Biblical significance: Often used to denote superiority, sovereignty, and origination (e.g., Christ as the Head of the Church, Eph 1:22).
- is purest gold (כֶּתֶם פָּז - kēthem pāz)
- Kēthem (כתם): A term for pure, fine, or virgin gold, often associated with a rare and valuable metal.
- Pāz (פז): Another term for fine, solid, or refined gold, signifying ultimate quality and preciousness.
- Combined: This emphasizes the absolute highest grade of gold, signifying something immensely valuable, refined, without impurity, brilliant, royal, and even divine. It suggests his mind or wisdom is faultless and supreme, radiating splendor.
- his hair (קְוּצּוֹתָיו - qevutsōtāv)
- Meaning: Refers to "locks" or "braids" of hair, rather than simply individual strands. It implies a luxurious, thick, and well-kept abundance.
- is wavy (תַּלְתַּלִּים - taltalim)
- Meaning: A unique Hebrew term, often translated as "wavy," "curly," "bushy," or "dangling locks." It suggests a rich texture and fullness, conveying vibrancy and physical allure.
- and black as a raven (שְׁחֹרוֹת כָּעוֹרֵב - shchōrōt ka'ōrēv)
- Shchōrōt (שחרות): The Hebrew word for "black."
- Ka'ōrēv (כעורב): Meaning "like a raven." Ravens are renowned for their deep, glossy, intense black plumage.
- Combined: This vivid simile describes a profound, rich blackness that is both striking and beautiful, indicating youthful vigor, health, and a vibrant intensity.
Song Of Solomon 5 11 Bonus section
The Shulamite’s description of her Beloved in verses 5:10-16 uses hyperbole extensively, which is a common poetic device to express profound admiration and an almost worshipful regard. While highly sensuous and physical, the allegorical interpretation often points to the surpassing beauty and perfection of Christ, depicting Him as the ultimate Beloved whom the Church (the Shulamite) ardently desires and praises. The use of "purest gold" specifically aligns with later New Testament descriptions of Christ’s glorious and refined nature (Rev 1:14). The entire description serves not just to depict physical beauty, but to convey inner moral excellence and divine quality, underscoring the Beloved's absolute superiority.
Song Of Solomon 5 11 Commentary
Song of Solomon 5:11 presents an exquisite poetic image that elevates the Beloved to an ideal of perfection. The description of his head as "purest gold" goes beyond mere physical attribute; it is a metaphor for his incomparable worth, wisdom, and perhaps divine splendor. In biblical thought, gold frequently symbolizes purity, divinity, and immense value, often used in the construction of sacred objects. Thus, the Beloved's head represents the seat of a sovereign, a preciousness beyond measure, reflecting his ultimate authority and pure nature. His "wavy" and "black as a raven" hair speaks to his virility, youthful attractiveness, and strength. The intense blackness, likened to a raven, is a symbol of striking, vital beauty, a contrast to hair that might show signs of age or weariness. Together, these images paint a portrait of a magnificent figure—perfect in thought and leadership, radiating value and possessing a vibrant, captivating physical presence. The Shulamite’s adoration in these hyper-aesthetic descriptions emphasizes that for her, her Beloved embodies the ultimate ideal in every conceivable aspect, leaving no room for comparison with others.