Amplified Bible
Song of Songs 1:5
5“I am deeply tanned but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, [I am dark] like the tents of [the Bedouins of] Kedar, Like the [beautiful] curtains of Solomon.
Song of Songs 1:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
- New International Version (NIV)Dark am I, yet lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon.
- English Standard Version (ESV)I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
- New King James Version (NKJV)I am dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon.
Context of Song of Songs 1:5
3The aroma of your oils is fragrant and pleasing; Your name is perfume poured out; Therefore the maidens love you. 4Draw me away with you and let us run together! Let the king bring me into his chambers.” “We will rejoice and be glad in you; We will remember and extol your love more [sweet and fragrant] than wine. Rightly do they love you.” “I am deeply tanned but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, [I am dark] like the tents of [the Bedouins of] Kedar, Like the [beautiful] curtains of Solomon. 6Do not gaze at me because I am deeply tanned, [I have worked in] the sun; it has left its mark on me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me keeper of the vineyards, But my own vineyard (my complexion) I have not kept.” 7“Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, Where do you pasture your flock, Where do you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who is veiled Beside the flocks of your companions?”
Read all of Song of Songs 1Song of Songs 1:5 word by word
שְׁחוֹרָ֤ה אֲנִי֙ וְֽנָאוָ֔ה בְּנ֖וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם כְּאָהֳלֵ֣י קֵדָ֔ר כִּירִיע֖וֹת שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- blackשָׁחֹרshâchôr shâchôr · blackH7838
- but comelyנָאוֶהnâ'veh · lovelyH5000
- O ye daughtersבַּתbath · daughterH1323
- of Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵםyerûshâlaim yerûshâlayim · JerusalemH3389
- as the tentsאֹ֫הֶל'ôhel · tentH168
- of Kedarקֵדָרqêdâr · KedarH6938
- as the curtainsיְרִיעָהyerîy‛âh · curtainH3407
- of Solomonשְׁלֹמֹהshelômôh · SolomonH8010
Commentaries on Song of Songs 1:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5I am black, but comely - This is literally true of many of the Asiatic women; though black or brown, they are exquisitely beautiful. Many of the Egyptian women are still fine; but their complexion is much inferior to that of the Palestine females. Though black or swarthy in my complexion, yet am I comely - well proportioned in every part. As the tents of Kedar - I am tawny, like the tents of the Arabians, and like the pavilions of Solomon, probably…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2-6Verses 2-6 The church, or rather the believer, speaks here in the character of the spouse of the King, the Messiah. The kisses of his mouth mean those assurances of pardon with which believers are favoured, filling them with peace and joy in believing, and causing them to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost. Gracious souls take most pleasure in loving Christ, and being loved of him. Christ's love is more valuable and desirable than the best this…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-6The woman's dark skin is not related to her race; the sun has darkened her complexion. Despite this, she maintains her self-respect and asserts her beauty. She looks healthy from working in vineyards and caring for goats (see also Song of Solomon 1:8). Solomon had caretakers for his fields, vineyards, herds, and flocks; the herders lived in dark tents made of goats' hair.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. black--namely, "as the tents of Kedar," equivalent to blackness (Psa 120:5). She draws the image from the black goatskins with which the Scenite Arabs ("Kedar" was in Arabia-Petræa) cover their tents (contrasted with the splendid state tent in which the King was awaiting His bride according to Eastern custom); typifying the darkness of man's natural state. To feel this, and yet also feel one's self in Jesus Christ "comely as the curtains of Solomon,"…Read the comment
- Rashi on Tanakh · v. 5I am black but comely, etc. You, my friends, let me not be light in your eyes even if my husband has left me because of my blackness, for I am black because of the sun’s gaze, but I am comely with the shape of beautiful limbs, and if I am black as the tents of Kedar, which are blackened by the rain, for they are constantly spread out in the deserts, I am easily cleansed to be like the curtains of Solomon. The allegory is that the congregation of Israel…Read the comment
Topics related to Song of Songs 1:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Song of Songs 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
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