Keraia
Song of Solomon 1

Song of Solomon 1:7

The Bride Confesses Her Love · Song of Solomon 1:1–17
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Translations

Modern
Tell me, O one I love, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest them at midday? Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions?
Traditional
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?
Literal
Declare to me, O one my soul loves, where do you pasture, where do you let them rest at midday? For why should I be as one veiling herself to go alongside the flocks of your companions?
Latin
Indica mihi, quem diligit anima mea, ubi pascas, ubi cubes in meridie, ne vagari incipiam post greges sodalium tuorum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Tell me, O one I love, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest them at midday? Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions?

Notes

Song of Solomon 1:7–8

  • pasture your sheep: In this dramatic view, the woman's lover and his friends are actual shepherds. This is not a job or group you would link with King Solomon at any point in his life.

  • like a veiled woman: Prostitutes wore veils to hide their identities (Genesis 38:14–16). Since Solomon has claimed the woman as a concubine, she has a reason to cover herself and stay discreet. She wants to avoid asking everyone around her where her loved one is (Song of Songs 3:3; 5:6–7). She wants to find him privately during the noon rest period so they can enjoy their time together.

Song of Solomon 1:5–11

If the Song is a three-character drama and the shepherd is her lover, the couple was apart while she was in the king’s palace. In this passage, she wants to know where to find him when she leaves. Twice, she is frantic about losing him again (Song of Solomon 3:1–4; 5:2–8). At other times, her concern is more subtle (Song of Solomon 2:14).

Song of Solomon 1:2–14

  • The song starts with the woman expressing her desire to be close to the man she loves. In the song, the woman often begins the relationship. The chorus, called the "Young Women of Jerusalem" in the New Living Translation, supports her choice of this man.

  • According to a three-character dramatic interpretation, the song begins by describing the woman's situation. The king is about to bring her into his palace, but she truly loves her shepherd. She hopes her lover will save her from the king (Song of Solomon 1:4).

Parallels

Ephesians 5:22–33 1 Peter 3:1–7

Glossary

Song of Solomon

Topics

Love to Christ: should Be with the Soul Sheep: Flocks of Made to Rest at Noon Shepherd: Causes the Flock to Rest