Song of Solomon 5:6 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 5:6 mean?

Song of Solomon 5:6 describes the woman opening the door to her beloved, only to find that he has already left. She feels a deep sense of loss and longing, searching for him and calling out, but receives no answer.

In this verse, the woman (the Shulammite) is speaking about her beloved (often understood as Solomon). She had hesitated earlier, but now, after deciding to open to him, she discovers he is gone. The scene captures her emotional turmoil—her soul "failed" or grew faint when she realized he was gone, and her desperate search emphasizes her longing and regret.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 5:6

• "withdrawn" (חָמַק, ḥāmaq): This word means to turn aside or withdraw. It paints a picture of the beloved slipping away, not just leaving but doing so in a way that feels sudden or elusive.
• "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This word refers to the inner self or life. When the woman says her "soul failed," it expresses a deep emotional collapse or sense of emptiness, not just disappointment.
• "failed" (יָצָא, yatsa): Usually meaning "to go out," here it is used poetically for the soul "going out"—a way of saying she felt faint or overwhelmed by emotion.
• "sought" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash) and "find" (מָצָא, matsa): These words highlight her active, earnest search. She is not passively missing him; she is seeking him with intent, but cannot locate him.

Why Song of Solomon 5:6 matters

• Song of Solomon 5:6 clears up the idea that the woman's longing is passive; the original words show her active pursuit and emotional intensity.
• The verse emphasizes the pain of missed connection and regret, which is a key theme in the surrounding passage—her earlier hesitation leads to a sense of loss.
• This moment connects to the wider narrative, showing the ups and downs of love, including longing, searching, and the fear of separation.