Song of Solomon 6:5 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 6:5 mean?

Song of Solomon 6:5 describes a lover asking his beloved to turn her eyes away from him because her gaze is overwhelming, and then he praises her hair by comparing it to a flock of goats coming down from Gilead. The verse uses poetic imagery to express the powerful effect the beloved has on her lover and to highlight her beauty in a vivid, memorable way.

In this verse, the man is speaking to the woman, likely in the context of a romantic conversation or a moment of admiration. The phrase about her eyes "overcoming" him suggests that her look is so captivating it makes him feel weak or undone. The comparison of her hair to goats from Gilead draws on the image of long, flowing, dark hair cascading down, much like a herd of goats moving down a hillside, which would have been a familiar and beautiful sight in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 6:5

• "overcome" (רָהַב, rāhav): This word carries the sense of being overwhelmed or made powerless, showing that the lover is deeply affected by her gaze, not just noticing it but almost undone by it.
• "hair" (שַּׂעַר, saʿar): The word here refers specifically to the hair of the beloved, which is being praised for its beauty and compared to a natural, graceful scene.
• "flock" (עֵדֶר, ʿeder) and "goats" (עֵז, ʿez): These words together create the image of a group of goats, which in the region of Gilead would have been known for their glossy, dark coats, making the comparison to the beloved’s hair both specific and evocative.
• "Gilead" (גִּלְעָד, Gilʿad): Gilead was a region east of the Jordan River known for its lush hills, so the mention of goats from Gilead adds a sense of richness and abundance to the description.

Why Song of Solomon 6:5 matters

• This verse helps clear up the idea that ancient love poetry was stiff or formal; instead, it shows a playful and deeply emotional exchange using everyday images from nature.
• The verse emphasizes how beauty is described through familiar scenes, connecting physical attraction to the natural world in a way that would resonate with its original audience.
• Song of Solomon 6:5 fits into the wider passage by continuing the theme of mutual admiration and delight between the lovers, showing both the power of attraction and the creativity of their expressions of love.