Song of Solomon 6:1

1 Thou fairest of women, whither went [away] thy darling? whither bowed [down] thy darling? and we shall seek him with thee. (O most beautiful of women, where did thy darling go? where did thy darling lie down? yea, we shall seek him with thee.)

Song of Solomon 6:1 Meaning and Commentary

Song of Solomon 6:1

Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women?
&c.] The title is the same used by them, and by Christ before them, ( Song of Solomon 1:8 ) ( 5:9 ) ; and here repeated, to assure her that they were serious in asking this question, and that it was in great respect to her they put it; and which, to the same sense, in other words, is expressed, whither is thy beloved turned aside?
which way did he take? on what hand did he turn, to the right or left, when he went from thy door? They ask no longer who or what he was, being satisfied with the church's description of him; by which they had gained some knowledge of him, and had their affections drawn out unto him; and were desirous of knowing more of him and of being better acquainted with him, and to enjoy his company and presence; though as yet they had but little faith in him, and therefore could not call him "their" beloved, only "her" beloved: and this question is put and repeated in this manner, to show that they were serious and in earnest; yea, were in haste, and impatient to know which way he went; say they, that we may seek him with thee;
it was not mere speculation or curiosity that led them to put the above questions; they were desirous to go into practice, to join with the church in the search of Christ, to seek him with her in the word and ordinances; upon which they were determined, could they get any hint from her whither he was gone, and where it was most likely to find him: for so the words may be rendered, "and we will seek him with thee" F16; this they had resolved on among themselves, and only wanted directions which way to steer their course, or a grant to go along with the church in quest of her beloved.


FOOTNOTES:

F16 (wnvqbn) (zhthsomen) , Sept. "quaeremus", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Marckius

Song of Solomon 6:1 In-Context

1 Thou fairest of women, whither went [away] thy darling? whither bowed [down] thy darling? and we shall seek him with thee. (O most beautiful of women, where did thy darling go? where did thy darling lie down? yea, we shall seek him with thee.)
2 My darling went down into his orchard, to the garden of sweet smelling spices, that he be fed there in [the] orchards, and gather lilies.
3 I to my darling; and my darling, that is fed among the lilies, be to me. (I am for my darling; and my darling, he who is fed among the lilies, is for me.)
4 My love, thou art fair, sweet and shapely as Jerusalem, thou art fearedful as the battle array of hosts set in good order. (My love, thou art as beautiful as Tirzah, and as lovely as Jerusalem, and thou art as awesome as the battle array of armies set in good order.)
5 Turn away thine eyes from me, for they made me to flee away; thine hairs be as the flocks of goats, that appeared from Gilead (thy hair is like the flocks of goats, that appeared from Gilead).
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.