Song of Solomon 6:10

Some translations consider that verses 10-12 are the words of the man. We cannot be sure.

But in our translation, the women in Jerusalem speak the words in verse 10. As the man said in verse 9, they praise her. They compare her with four different things that give light.

Previously the man has compared her with things that give beautiful smells. And now the people compare her with things that give light. The meaning of these word pictures is probably similar. She impresses people. Her beauty, her wisdom and her kindness seem so wonderful. Everyone benefits when she is with them.

Solomon may be the speaker. But we think that this verse is probably the words of the other women. Solomon said in verse 9 that they were praising the young woman. She impresses them. And they seem curious about her.

At the start of the book, only Solomon could see the young woman’s beauty. The other women did not seem to think that she was beautiful. People might stare at her because her skin was dark (1:6). Even the young woman herself did not seem sure that she was beautiful.

But at the start of the book, the young woman was still a girl. Now she is older. And she is more mature. She has spent time with the king. And she has learned how to make herself beautiful.

Now other women can see her beauty too. They do not still complain that her skin is too dark. Instead, she is so beautiful that they compare her with the brightest lights.

The young woman becomes Solomon’s bride

The young woman

v11 I went down to the group of nut trees.

I went to see the young plants in the valley.

I went to see if the *vines were beginning to flower.

Or the *pomegranates were beginning to flower.

v12 Then my hope came true.

I was next to my prince.

We were in a *chariot.

The *chariots belonged to the king.

I was with people that I knew.

This happened before I realised it.

The women of Jerusalem

v13 Come back, come back, *Shulamite.

Come back, come back. Then we can stare at you.

Solomon

Do not stare at the *Shulamite!

Do not stare as she dances the Mahanaim dance!