Song Of Solomon 6 1

Song Of Solomon 6:1 kjv

Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.

Song Of Solomon 6:1 nkjv

Where has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned aside, That we may seek him with you?

Song Of Solomon 6:1 niv

Where has your beloved gone, most beautiful of women? Which way did your beloved turn, that we may look for him with you?

Song Of Solomon 6:1 esv

Where has your beloved gone, O most beautiful among women? Where has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you?

Song Of Solomon 6:1 nlt

Where has your lover gone,
O woman of rare beauty?
Which way did he turn
so we can help you find him?

Song Of Solomon 6 verses

Song Of Solomon 6 1 meaning

Song of Solomon 6:1 is a pivotal verse where the "Daughters of Jerusalem" engage the Shulammite woman, no longer with skepticism, but with shared desire. After hearing her ardent description of her beloved in the previous chapter, they are now captivated by her devotion and seek to join her in the active search for him. The repeated questions underscore their urgency and curiosity, signifying a turning point from passive observation to sympathetic, communal involvement in her quest.

Song Of Solomon 6 1 Context

Song of Solomon 6:1 directly follows the Shulammite's vivid and impassioned description of her beloved in 5:10-16. This detailed portrait, delivered with such deep affection and intimate knowledge, completely transforms the "Daughters of Jerusalem's" attitude. Previously, they had questioned her urgency (5:9), perhaps dismissively or with limited understanding. Now, having been swept up by the beauty and fervor of her declaration, they shift from indifferent observers to eager participants in her quest. The verse marks a communal endorsement and shared purpose, moving the narrative beyond individual longing to a collective search, bridging the private experience of love into a public, joint pursuit. Historically and culturally, such detailed descriptions of beauty were common in ancient Near Eastern love poetry, serving to elevate and distinguish the beloved, here moving from admiration to active imitation and solidarity.

Song Of Solomon 6 1 Word analysis

• Whither (אָנָה, ’anāh): An interrogative adverb meaning "where" or "whither." Its repetition in the verse ("Whither is thy beloved gone... whither is thy beloved turned aside?") intensifies the question, conveying a sense of genuine urgency and an earnest desire for directional guidance. This repetition underscores their immediate and eager involvement.

• Is thy beloved gone (הָלַךְ דּוֹדֵךְ, halak dodekh): halak (הָלַךְ) means "to go" or "to walk." This initial question probes the direction of his departure. dodekh (דּוֹדֵךְ) is "your beloved," referring specifically to the Shulammite's unique object of affection, a title they now recognize as special.

• O thou fairest among women (הַיָּפָה בַּנָּשִׁים, hayyāphāh bannāshīm): A title of deep respect and admiration given by the Daughters of Jerusalem to the Shulammite. Hayyāphāh (הַיָּפָה) means "the beautiful one," from the root yaphah (יָפָה) "to be beautiful." bannāshīm (בַּנָּשִׁים) means "among the women" or "than other women." This honorific acknowledges her preeminence and the compelling nature of her love, marking a dramatic shift from their earlier potential apathy or dismissal in 5:9 where they also used this term, but now with a profound, newfound appreciation, indicating her internal spiritual beauty (her fervent love) is manifest externally.

• Whither is thy beloved turned aside? (פָּנָה דּוֹדֵךְ, pānāh dodekh): pānāh (פָּנָה) means "to turn," "to turn aside," or "to face." This second, distinct verb suggests a slightly different nuance – not just where did he go, but in which direction did he detour, emphasizing a need for more precise location. This reflects a deeper level of inquiry and commitment to find him.

• That we may seek him with thee (וּנְבַקְשֵׁהוּ עִמָּךְ, ūnevaqšēhū ‘immāḵ): This is the climactic and most significant phrase. ūnevaqšēhū (וּנְבַקְשֵׁהוּ) means "that we may seek him" (from the verb בָּקַשׁ, baqaš, meaning "to seek," "to search for diligently"). The prefix 'u' (וּ) here signifies purpose, indicating their intent. ‘immāḵ (עִמָּךְ) means "with thee." This explicitly states their newfound desire to join in the pursuit, showcasing a remarkable shift from detached questioning to active solidarity and shared mission. It speaks to the contagious nature of passionate devotion.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside?": The double interrogative framing not only repeats the core question but adds emphasis, demonstrating their heightened interest and a more thorough understanding that the Beloved is not just absent, but purposefully on a journey or taking a particular direction. The interjection "O thou fairest among women" marks their recognition of her exceptional love, seeing it as the source of her distinct beauty.
  • "That we may seek him with thee": This concluding phrase unveils their transformation. It shows the persuasive power of sincere, deep affection and articulate praise. Their intent to "seek him with thee" represents a profound desire for communal spiritual pursuit, moving from observation to participation. This is not merely idle curiosity, but a declared commitment to join her earnest search.

Song Of Solomon 6 1 Bonus section

The transformation of the Daughters of Jerusalem from questioning observers to active participants holds significant allegorical weight for the Church. It illustrates the evangelistic power of a sincere and articulate personal testimony. When individual believers (the Shulammite) vividly express their love for Christ and the qualities that make Him uniquely glorious, it moves others within the community (the Daughters of Jerusalem) from mere awareness or superficial interest to an earnest desire to personally encounter Him. Their "seeking" isn't a passive waiting, but an active, shared endeavor to know where to find and follow the Beloved, symbolizing the corporate pursuit of Christ and His kingdom. This verse demonstrates that deep, personal devotion to Christ can inspire collective spiritual revival and a unified commitment to seeking God's presence and will.

Song Of Solomon 6 1 Commentary

Song of Solomon 6:1 signifies a pivotal moment in the book, highlighting the power of expressed love to draw others into the pursuit of the Beloved. The Shulammite's fervent and detailed praise of her lover in the preceding chapter—his radiant beauty, strong character, and unparalleled presence—serves as a compelling testimony. This witness transforms the Daughters of Jerusalem, who move from detached inquisition (5:9) to active solidarity. Their eager questions, "Whither is thy beloved gone... whither is thy beloved turned aside?" are not challenging, but earnest, driven by a desire to locate him, explicitly stating, "that we may seek him with thee."

The title "fairest among women," now pronounced with genuine awe, acknowledges the Shulammite's internal beauty, which flows from her unwavering love and deep knowledge of her Beloved. This reflects a spiritual principle: true devotion and an articulate praise of Christ (the Beloved in allegorical interpretation) will inevitably stir others to inquire about Him and desire to know Him. The verse moves the narrative from a solely individual search to a collective endeavor. It illustrates that a believer's passionate relationship with God, when shared authentically, can inspire a broader community (the Church) to collectively seek after Him. This pursuit is not vague; the Daughters ask for specific direction, indicating a readiness for active engagement in the search.