Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother’s sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I had to neglect. New Living Translation Don’t stare at me because I am dark— the sun has darkened my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they forced me to care for their vineyards, so I couldn’t care for myself—my own vineyard. English Standard Version Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept! Berean Standard Bible Do not stare because I am dark, for the sun has gazed upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me a keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have neglected. King James Bible Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. New King James Version Do not look upon me, because I am dark, Because the sun has tanned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me the keeper of the vineyards, But my own vineyard I have not kept. New American Standard Bible “Do not stare at me because I am dark, For the sun has tanned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me caretaker of the vineyards, But I have not taken care of my own vineyard. NASB 1995 “Do not stare at me because I am swarthy, For the sun has burned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me caretaker of the vineyards, But I have not taken care of my own vineyard. NASB 1977 “Do not stare at me because I am swarthy, For the sun has burned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me caretaker of the vineyards, But I have not taken care of my own vineyard. Legacy Standard Bible Do not look at me because I am swarthy, For the sun has burned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me caretaker of the vineyards, But I have not taken care of my own vineyard. Amplified Bible “Do 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.” Christian Standard Bible Do not stare at me because I am dark, for the sun has gazed on me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me take care of the vineyards. I have not taken care of my own vineyard. Holman Christian Standard Bible Do not stare at me because I am dark, for the sun has gazed on me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me a keeper of the vineyards. I have not kept my own vineyard. American Standard Version Look not upon me, because I am swarthy, Because the sun hath scorched me. My mother's sons were incensed against me; They made me keeper of the vineyards; But mine own vineyard have I not kept. Contemporary English Version Don't stare at me just because the sun has darkened my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they made me work in the vineyard, and so I neglected my complexion. English Revised Version Look not upon me, because I am swarthy, because the sun hath scorched me. My mother's sons were incensed against me, they made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. GOD'S WORD® Translation Stop staring at me because I am so dark. The sun has tanned me. My brothers were angry with me. They made me the caretaker of the vineyards. I have not even taken care of my own vineyard. Good News Translation Don't look down on me because of my color, because the sun has tanned me. My brothers were angry with me and made me work in the vineyard. I had no time to care for myself. International Standard Version Don't stare at me because I'm dark; the sun has tanned me. My mother's sons were angry with me. They made me the caretaker of the vineyards, but I didn't take care of my own vineyard. Majority Standard Bible Do not stare because I am dark, for the sun has gazed upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me a keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have neglected. NET Bible Do not stare at me because I am dark, for the sun has burned my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards. Alas, my own vineyard I could not keep! New Heart English Bible Do not stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has scorched me. My mother's sons were angry with me. They made me keeper of the vineyards. I haven't kept my own vineyard. Webster's Bible Translation Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my own vineyard have I not kept. World English Bible Don’t stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has scorched me. My mother’s sons were angry with me. They made me keeper of the vineyards. I haven’t kept my own vineyard. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionDo not fear me, because I [am] very dark, "" Because the sun has scorched me, "" The sons of my mother were angry with me, "" They made me keeper of the vineyards, "" My vineyard—my own—I have not kept. Young's Literal Translation Fear me not, because I am very dark, Because the sun hath scorched me, The sons of my mother were angry with me, They made me keeper of the vineyards, My vineyard -- my own -- I have not kept. Smith's Literal Translation Thou shalt not see me, I am black; the sun searched me: my mother's sons were angry with me; they set me to watch the vineyards; my vineyard I watched not for me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleDo not consider me that I am brown, because the sun hath altered my colour: the sons of my mother have fought against me, they have made me the keeper in the vineyards: my vineyard I have not kept. Catholic Public Domain Version Do not be concerned that I am dark, for the sun has changed my color. New American Bible Do not stare at me because I am so black, because the sun has burned me. The sons of my mother were angry with me; they charged me with the care of the vineyards: my own vineyard I did not take care of. New Revised Standard Version Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has gazed on me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleDo not look at me because I have dark skin, because the sun has tanned me; my mother's sons contended with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my own vineyard I have not kept. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated You shall not look at me, because I am black, because the sun has darkened me. The children of my mother fought hard with me; they made me keeper of vineyards, and my vineyard I have not kept OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Look not upon me, that I am swarthy, That the sun hath tanned me; My mother's sons were incensed against me, They made me keeper of the vineyards; But mine own vineyard have I not kept.' Brenton Septuagint Translation Look not upon me, because I am dark, because the sun has looked unfavourably upon me: my mother's sons strove with me; they made me keeper in the vineyards; I have not kept my own vineyard. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Bride Confesses Her Love…5I am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. 6Do not stare because I am dark, for the sun has gazed upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me a keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have neglected. 7Tell 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?… Cross References Genesis 16:9 So the angel of the LORD told her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.” Psalm 69:9 because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. Jeremiah 12:10 Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland. Lamentations 1:6 All the splendor has departed from the Daughter of Zion. Her princes are like deer that find no pasture; they lack the strength to flee in the face of the hunter. Ezekiel 34:2-3 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” / “Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. / But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” John 15:18-19 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 1 Corinthians 4:12-13 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. / We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; / in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger; / in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ... Galatians 6:9 Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Treasury of Scripture Look not on me, because I am black, because the sun has looked on me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my own vineyard have I not kept. look Ruth 1:19-21 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? … because Job 30:30 My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat. Jeremiah 8:21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. Lamentations 4:8 Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick. my mother's Psalm 69:8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. Jeremiah 12:6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee. Micah 7:6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. keeper Song of Solomon 8:11,12 Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver… Jump to Previous Angry Black Burned Children Dark Darkened Eyes Incensed Keeper Kept Mother's Scorched Stare Sun Tanned Vineyard VineyardsJump to Next Angry Black Burned Children Dark Darkened Eyes Incensed Keeper Kept Mother's Scorched Stare Sun Tanned Vineyard VineyardsSong of Solomon 1 1. the church's love unto Christ5. She confesses her deformity 7. and prays to be directed, to his flock 8. Christ directs her to the shepherd's tents 9. and showing his love to her 11. gives her gracious promises 12. the church and Christ congratulate one another Do not stare because I am dark The Hebrew word for "dark" here is "shechorah," which can mean dark or swarthy. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a darker complexion often indicated a life of labor under the sun, as opposed to the paler skin of those who lived more sheltered lives. This phrase reflects the speaker's awareness of societal judgments based on appearance. It is a call to look beyond the surface and see the true beauty and worth within, a theme that resonates with the biblical principle that God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). for the sun has gazed upon me My mother’s sons were angry with me they made me a keeper of the vineyards but my own vineyard I have neglected Black.--Literally, blackish. The sun . . .--The word translated looked upon occurs only twice besides (Job 20:9; Job 28:7). The "all-seeing sun" is a commonplace of poetry; but here with sense of scorching. The heroine goes on to explain the cause of her exposure to the sun. Her dark complexion is accidental, and cannot therefore be used as an argument that she was an Egyptian princess, whose nuptials with Solomon are celebrated in the poem. Mother's children--i.e., brothers, not necessarily step-brothers, as Ewald and others. (Comp. Psalm 50:20; Psalm 69:8.) The reference to the mother rather than the father is natural in a country where polygamy was practised. . . . Verse 6. - Look not upon me, because I am swarthy, because the sun hath scorched me. My mother's sons were incensed against me; they made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. The meaning seems to be - Do not let the swarthiness of my complexion lower me in your eyes. Literally the words are, Do not see me that I am; i.e. do not regard me as being, because I am. There is no necessity to suppose any looks of the ladies to have suggested the words. They are the words of modest self-depreciation mingled with joyful sense of acceptance. It is difficult to render the Hebrew exactly. The word translated "swarthy" (shecharchoreh) is probably a diminutive from shechorah, which itself means "blackish;" so that the meaning is, "that my complexion is dark." The reference to the sun explains the word still further, as pointing, not to a difference of race, but to mere temporary effects of an outdoor life: "The sun has been playing with my complexion;" or, as the LXX. renders it, Παρέβλεψέ μὰ ὁ ἡλίος, "The sun has been gazing at me." So other Greek versions. Some, however, include the idea of burning or scorching, which is the literal meaning of the verb, though in Job 3:9 and Job 41:10 it is used in the sense of looking at or upon. The sun is the eye of the heavens (see 2 Samuel 12:11), and with delicate feeling it is spoken of here as feminine, the bride playfully alluding, perhaps, to the lady seen in the heavens preceding the ladies of the court in gazing on her beauty. It is difficult to explain with perfect satisfaction the next clause of the verse. Doubtless "mother's sons" is a poetical periphrasis for brothers - not "step-brothers," as some have said. Perhaps the mother was a widow, as no father is mentioned. The best explanation is that the bride is simply giving an account of herself, why she is so browned in the sun. The brothers, for some reason, had been incensed against her, possibly on account of her favour in the eyes of the king, but more probably for private, family reasons. They would not have her shutting herself up in the house to take care of her complexion; they would have her in the vineyards. In the word "keeper" (noterah instead of notzerah) we have an instance of the northern dialect - a kind of Platt-Hebrew - hardening the pronunciation. My own vineyard have I not kept no doubt refers simply and solely to her complexion, not to her virginity or character. She means - I was compelled by my brothers to go into the vineyards in the heat of the sun, and the consequence was, as you see, I have not been able to preserve the delicacy of my skin; I have been careless of my personal beauty. The sun has done its work. The reference helps us to recognize the historical background of the poem, and leads naturally to the use of the pastoral language which runs through the whole. The king is a shepherd, and his bride a shepherdess. Without straining the spiritual interpretation, we may yet discover in this beautiful candour and Simplicity of the bride the reflection of the soul's virtues in its joyful realization of Divine favour; but the true method of interpretation requires no minute, detailed adjustment of the language to spiritual facts, but rather seeks the meaning in the total impression of the poem.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Do notאַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not stare תִּרְא֙וּנִי֙ (tir·’ū·nî) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | first person common singular Strong's 7200: To see because I שֶׁאֲנִ֣י (še·’ă·nî) Pronoun - relative | Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I am dark, שְׁחַרְחֹ֔רֶת (šə·ḥar·ḥō·reṯ) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7840: Blackish for the sun הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ (haš·šā·meš) Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement has looked upon me. שֶׁשֱּׁזָפַ֖תְנִי (šeš·šĕ·zā·p̄aṯ·nî) Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | first person common singular Strong's 7805: To catch sight of, look on My mother’s אִמִּ֣י (’im·mî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 517: A mother, ) sons בְּנֵ֧י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son were angry נִֽחֲרוּ־ (ni·ḥă·rū-) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 2787: To be hot or scorched, to burn with me; בִ֗י (ḇî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew they made שָׂמֻ֙נִי֙ (śā·mu·nî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set me a keeper נֹטֵרָ֣ה (nō·ṭê·rāh) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular Strong's 5201: To guard, to cherish of the vineyards, הַכְּרָמִ֔ים (hak·kə·rā·mîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard [but] my own vineyard כַּרְמִ֥י (kar·mî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard I have neglected. לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no Links Song of Solomon 1:6 NIVSong of Solomon 1:6 NLT Song of Solomon 1:6 ESV Song of Solomon 1:6 NASB Song of Solomon 1:6 KJV Song of Solomon 1:6 BibleApps.com Song of Solomon 1:6 Biblia Paralela Song of Solomon 1:6 Chinese Bible Song of Solomon 1:6 French Bible Song of Solomon 1:6 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 1:6 Don't stare at me because (Song Songs SS So Can) |
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