Song Of Solomon 6:5 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Song Of Solomon 6:5 kjv
Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.
Song Of Solomon 6:5 nkjv
Turn your eyes away from me, For they have overcome me. Your hair is like a flock of goats Going down from Gilead.
Song Of Solomon 6:5 niv
Turn your eyes from me; they overwhelm me. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Gilead.
Song Of Solomon 6:5 esv
Turn away your eyes from me, for they overwhelm me ? Your hair is like a flock of goats leaping down the slopes of Gilead.
Song Of Solomon 6:5 nlt
Turn your eyes away,
for they overpower me.
Your hair falls in waves,
like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead.
Song Of Solomon 6 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Parallels | ||
| SoS 4:1 | "Behold, thou art fair, my love... thy hair is as a flock of goats..." | Similar description of her hair by the Beloved. |
| SoS 4:9 | "Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse, with one of thine eyes..." | The Beloved's heart "ravished" by her gaze. |
| SoS 7:5 | "Thy head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thy head like purple;" | Another instance of her hair's beauty. |
| Captivating Eyes | ||
| Gen 29:17 | "Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured." | Beauty described through eyes. |
| Prov 6:25 | "Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids." | Power of eyes to captivate/entice. |
| Prov 23:26 | "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways." | Eyes connected to receiving or giving affection. |
| Psa 45:11 | "So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty..." | King's desire for beauty. |
| Overwhelming Emotion | ||
| SoS 1:4 | "The king hath brought me into his chambers..." | Implication of deep desire and pull. |
| Psa 8:1 | "O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens." | A sense of being overcome by divine glory/excellence. |
| Jer 20:7 | "O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed..." | Being overcome by a superior power (figurative). |
| Phil 3:8 | "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things..." | Being overcome by the worth of Christ. |
| Hair as Beauty | ||
| 1 Cor 11:15 | "But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her..." | Hair as a woman's glory or adornment. |
| Luk 7:38 | "And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head..." | Hair as an instrument of devotion and beauty. |
| Rev 1:14 | "His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow..." | Hair used metaphorically to describe divine majesty. |
| Flock/Gilead Imagery | ||
| Gen 30:43 | "And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses." | Shepherds and abundance in ancient Israel. |
| Isa 40:11 | "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm..." | Flock imagery, indicating care and abundance. |
| Mic 7:14 | "Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage..." | People likened to a flock, guided by their leader. |
| SoS 2:16 | "My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies." | Beloved tending his "flock" in a beautiful setting. |
| Psa 23:1 | "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." | Positive connotations of flocks. |
| Gen 31:21 | "So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead." | Gilead as a geographical reference, often fertile. |
| Jer 8:22 | "Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?" | Gilead known for healing properties (resources). |
Song Of Solomon 6 verses
Song Of Solomon 6 5 meaning
This verse portrays the overwhelming captivating beauty of the Shulamite woman in the eyes of her Beloved, the King. His plea for her to "turn away" her eyes is an expression of his intense adoration, as her gaze has a profound and powerful effect on him, almost "overcoming" or ravishing him with its charm. He then proceeds to praise her hair, comparing its dark, flowing, and abundant beauty to a flock of goats seen descending from the fertile region of Gilead, highlighting its rich luster and graceful movement.
Song Of Solomon 6 5 Context
This verse is part of the Lover's fervent praise for the Shulamite woman, specifically following a period where she has openly declared her love for him (SoS 6:3) and he has described his journey to seek her in the garden (SoS 6:2). Having just returned from his garden search, the king is once again utterly captivated by her. The description mirrors and slightly varies from previous praises in Chapter 4, indicating a deep, abiding, and renewed admiration. Within the broader context of the Song of Solomon, this verse highlights the intensity and purity of the mutual affection between the King and the Shulamite, presenting a powerful example of covenantal love and devotion. The physical descriptions are metaphors for her internal beauty, grace, and impact on him.
Song Of Solomon 6 5 Word analysis
Turn away (סוּב, suv): An imperative, meaning to turn, revolve, or go around. Here, it’s an urgent plea born out of being overwhelmed, not a desire for her to look away permanently. It signifies the immense impact her gaze has.
Thine eyes (עֵינַיִךְ, 'einayik): Dual form, referring to both eyes. Emphasizes her gaze, the windows to her soul, and their powerful, magnetic quality.
from me (מִנֶּגְדִּי, minnegdi): Indicates proximity and direct visual impact. The effect is personal and immediate.
for (כִּי, ki): A conjunction meaning "because," "for," or "indeed." Introduces the reason for his urgent plea.
they overcome me (הֶהֱלִמֻנִי, he'elimumi): This crucial Hebrew verb (from הלם, halam) signifies "to strike, smite, crush, overpower, or ravish." It expresses a strong, almost forceful emotional impact. It implies his senses are utterly captivated and almost 'conquered' by her beauty, leaving him breathless or undone, a common hyperbole of love.
Thy hair (שַׂעְרֵךְ, sa'rek): Refers to her head hair. In ancient cultures, hair was a significant aspect of a woman's beauty, often associated with glory and attractiveness.
is as (כְּ, ke): A comparative particle, "like" or "as." Introduces a simile, comparing her hair to something familiar yet strikingly beautiful.
a flock of goats (עֵדֶר הָעִזִּים, 'eder ha'izzim): Refers to a group of goats. This imagery is not about individual strands but the collective impression of her hair's color, abundance, and movement. Black goats, particularly those with long, dark, shimmering hair, would have been common and beautiful sights in ancient Israel, often associated with a rich, dark luster.
that appear from / stream down from (שֶׁגָּלְשׁוּ, sheggaleshu): This verb means "to stream down," "flow down," or "appear." It evokes a sense of fluid motion and abundance, suggesting her hair cascades elegantly.
Gilead (גִּלְעָד, Gil'ad): A fertile, mountainous region east of the Jordan River, renowned for its rich pastures and large flocks of sheep and goats. The image of a flock of goats from Gilead evokes scenes of plentiful, healthy animals grazing and moving together gracefully, their dark coats gleaming.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Turn away thine eyes from me, for they overcome me": This phrase dramatically communicates the profound emotional and sensory impact the Beloved's gaze has on the King. It is not a dismissal but a declaration of being utterly captivated to the point of being "struck" or overwhelmed by her beauty. It speaks of love's intoxicating power.
- "thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead": This poetic simile provides a vivid, multi-sensory image of her hair. "Flock of goats" suggests abundance, thick volume, and a dark, glossy, almost black color (like the hair of certain goat breeds). "Appear from Gilead" further enhances the image by associating it with a natural, healthy, lush environment, implying strength, vibrancy, and a graceful, flowing movement as the goats descend the mountainside. The imagery of light glinting off dark, moving forms, like cascading water or shiny fabrics, would have been striking.
Song Of Solomon 6 5 Bonus section
- Consistency of Praise: The King's descriptive language for the Shulamite's beauty, particularly her hair, consistently reappears (e.g., SoS 4:1 and here). This highlights an unchanging affection and a deeply etched impression of her loveliness in his mind, suggesting that true love sees beauty consistently.
- Active and Passive Beauty: The "eyes" represent her active power to enthrall (she gazes, he is overcome), while her "hair" represents a passive beauty, admired for its inherent characteristics. Together, they demonstrate a holistic appreciation of her person.
- Theological Parallel (Allegorical interpretation): In allegorical readings, "turn away thine eyes from me, for they overcome me" can represent how the Church's pure devotion and gaze upon Christ can move Him, drawing out His profound love and protective care. The Church's beauty, like the Shulamite's hair, in Christ's eyes, is radiant and full of grace.
- Sensory Richness: The imagery appeals to both sight (eyes, hair, goats from Gilead) and feeling (overcome), creating a vivid and immersive experience of love.
Song Of Solomon 6 5 Commentary
Song of Solomon 6:5 serves as a profound testament to the power of pure, devoted love and its capacity to completely captivate the beloved. The King's plea for the Shulamite to "turn away" her eyes is hyperbole, not an actual request for her to stop looking, but an intense declaration of how utterly mesmerizing her gaze is to him, to the point of being emotionally and spiritually 'overwhelmed.' This echoes SoS 4:9 where her eyes "ravish" his heart, underscoring the consistent and powerful impact she has on him.
Following this intense declaration, the verse transitions to a beautiful description of her hair, directly referencing his earlier praise in SoS 4:1. This repetition is significant, implying a constant, unwavering admiration, or perhaps an even deeper appreciation born from renewed affection. The comparison to "a flock of goats that appear from Gilead" paints a picture of luscious abundance, dark luster, and graceful movement. Gilead was known for its verdant pastures and large, healthy flocks. The imagery evokes dark, flowing hair that shimmers and moves, reflecting light like the coats of healthy goats seen from a distance on a hillside. This is not simply a physical observation but an expression of awe at her natural, radiant beauty, highlighting strength and vitality.
The verse, therefore, captures the intoxicating blend of emotional depth and visual allure in their relationship, underscoring the beloved's ability to profoundly impact the lover. This mutual adoration is often seen in Christian interpretation as an earthly shadow of Christ's intense, unwavering love and appreciation for His Church, who, though imperfect, is radiant and beautiful in His eyes (Eph 5:25-27).