What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?
SONG OF SOLOMON 5:9KJVWhat does Song of Solomon 5:9 mean?
Song of Solomon 5:9 records a group of women asking the main woman what makes her beloved so special compared to others, and why she urges them so strongly about him. The verse highlights their curiosity about what sets her beloved apart from any other man.
The speakers here are the "daughters of Jerusalem," addressing the woman called the "fairest among women." They want to know why she is so passionate and insistent about her beloved, especially after hearing her speak about him. This question sets up the woman's detailed and affectionate description of her beloved in the verses that follow.
The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 5:9
- "Beloved" (דּוֹד, dōd): This word is used several times in the verse and refers to a loved one, often a romantic partner. The repetition emphasizes the focus on what makes this particular beloved unique.
- "Fairest" (יָפָה, yafah): This word means "beautiful" or "most beautiful," showing the high regard in which the woman is held by the other women.
- "Women" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): This is the general word for "women," making it clear the question is addressed to the woman among her peers.
- "Charge" (שָׁבַע, shava): This word means to make someone swear or strongly urge, highlighting how earnestly the woman has spoken to the others about her beloved.
Why Song of Solomon 5:9 matters
- This verse shows the social setting of the Song, where the woman's love is public enough to draw attention and questions from others.
- The question from the daughters of Jerusalem prepares the reader for the woman's poetic and vivid praise of her beloved in the next verses, deepening the emotional impact.
- The verse highlights the theme of unique, personal love—what makes one person stand out among many—and invites the reader to consider what true devotion looks like.