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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Song of Solomon 1:6 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/songs/1-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/22_Sng_01_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Song of Solomon 1:6 - The Bride Confesses Her Love" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not stare because I am dark, for the sun has gazed upon me. 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My mother&#8217s sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I had to neglect. <a href="/nlt/songs/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/songs/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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! <a href="/bsb/songs/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/songs/1.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/songs/1.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/songs/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “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. <a href="/nasb/songs/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Do not stare at me because I am swarthy, For the sun has burned me. My mother&#8217s sons were angry with me; They made me caretaker of the vineyards, But I have not taken care of my own vineyard. <a href="/nasb77/songs/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “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. <a href="/lsb/songs/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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. <a href="/amp/songs/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “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.” <a href="/csb/songs/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/hcsb/songs/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Do not stare at me because I am dark, for the sun has gazed on me. My mother&#8217s sons were angry with me; they made me a keeper of the vineyards. I have not kept my own vineyard. <a href="/asv/songs/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/songs/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> 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. <a href="/erv/songs/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/songs/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> 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. <a href="/gnt/songs/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> 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. <a href="/isv/songs/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/msb/songs/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/songs/1.htm">NET Bible</a> 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! <a href="/nheb/songs/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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. <a href="/wbt/songs/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/songs/1.htm">World English Bible</a> 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/songs/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Do 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. <a href="/ylt/songs/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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. <a href="/slt/songs/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> 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.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/songs/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Do 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. <a href="/cpdv/songs/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Do not be concerned that I am dark, for the sun has changed my color. <V 1:10>The sons of my mother have fought against me. They have made me the keeper of the vineyards. My own vineyard I have not kept. <a href="/nabre/songs/1.htm">New American Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nrsvce/songs/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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!<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/songs/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Do 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. <a href="/hpbt/songs/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> 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<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/songs/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Look 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.' <a href="/sep/songs/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> 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. <a href="/parallel/songs/1-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9D_QEk8ZdxU?start=53" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/songs/1.htm">The Bride Confesses Her Love</a> …5I am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. 6<a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: tir·’ū·nî (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: 1cs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">stare</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: še·’ă·nî (Pro-r:: Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">because I</a> <a href="/hebrew/7840.htm" title="7840: šə·ḥar·ḥō·reṯ (Adj-fs) -- Blackish. From shachar; black.">am dark,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8121.htm" title="8121: haš·šā·meš (Art:: N-cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. A notched battlement.">for the sun</a> <a href="/hebrew/7805.htm" title="7805: šeš·šĕ·zā·p̄aṯ·nî (Pro-r:: V-Qal-Perf-3fs:: 1cs) -- To catch sight of, look on. A primitive root; to tan; figuratively to scan.">has gazed upon me.</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: ’im·mî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">My mother’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/2734.htm" title="2734: ni·ḥă·rū- (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To burn or be kindled with anger. A primitive root; to glow or grow warm; figuratively to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.">were angry</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">with me;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: śā·mu·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">they made me</a> <a href="/hebrew/5201.htm" title="5201: nō·ṭê·rāh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To keep. A primitive root; to guard; figuratively, to cherish.">a keeper</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3754.htm" title="3754: hak·kə·rā·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A vineyard. From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a garden or vineyard.">of the vineyards,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3754.htm" title="3754: kar·mî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- A vineyard. From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a garden or vineyard.">but my own vineyard</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I have neglected.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5201.htm" title="5201: nā·ṭā·rə·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To keep. A primitive root; to guard; figuratively, to cherish."></a> <a href="/hebrew/šel·lî (Pro-r:: Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> 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?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/16-9.htm">Genesis 16:9</a> So the angel of the LORD told her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.” <a href="/psalms/69-9.htm">Psalm 69:9</a> because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. <a href="/isaiah/60-1.htm">Isaiah 60:1</a> Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. <a href="/jeremiah/12-10.htm">Jeremiah 12:10</a> Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland. <a href="/lamentations/1-6.htm">Lamentations 1:6</a> 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. <a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-3</a> “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. <a href="/matthew/5-11.htm">Matthew 5:11-12</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a> 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.” <a href="/luke/10-40.htm">Luke 10:40-42</a> 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.” <a href="/john/15-18.htm">John 15:18-19</a> 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. <a href="/romans/8-18.htm">Romans 8:18</a> I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. <a href="/1_corinthians/4-12.htm">1 Corinthians 4:12-13</a> 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. <a href="/2_corinthians/4-8.htm">2 Corinthians 4:8-10</a> 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. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-4.htm">2 Corinthians 6:4-10</a> 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; ... <a href="/galatians/6-9.htm">Galatians 6:9</a> Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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<a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">Ruth 1:19-21</a> 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<a href="/job/30-30.htm">Job 30:30</a> My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.<a href="/jeremiah/8-21.htm">Jeremiah 8:21</a> For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.<a href="/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8</a> 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<a href="/psalms/69-8.htm">Psalm 69:8</a> I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.<a href="/jeremiah/12-6.htm">Jeremiah 12:6</a> 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.<a href="/micah/7-6.htm">Micah 7:6</a> 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<a href="/songs/8-11.htm">Song of Solomon 8:11,12</a> 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… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-9.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/songs/1-5.htm">Black</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-11.htm">Children</a> <a href="/songs/1-5.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm">Darkened</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Incensed</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-18.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-5.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-28.htm">Scorched</a> <a href="/psalms/22-17.htm">Stare</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-2.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/exodus/39-34.htm">Tanned</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-16.htm">Vineyard</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-4.htm">Vineyards</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/8-21.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/songs/5-11.htm">Black</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-7.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/songs/2-17.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-30.htm">Darkened</a> <a href="/songs/1-15.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-11.htm">Incensed</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-3.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/songs/7-13.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/songs/3-4.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-19.htm">Scorched</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-16.htm">Stare</a> <a href="/songs/6-10.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/exodus/25-5.htm">Tanned</a> <a href="/songs/8-11.htm">Vineyard</a> <a href="/songs/1-14.htm">Vineyards</a><div class="vheading2">Song of Solomon 1</div>1. <a href="/songs/1-1.htm">the church's love unto Christ</a> 5. <a href="/songs/1-5.htm">She confesses her deformity</a> 7. <a href="/songs/1-7.htm">and prays to be directed, to his flock</a> 8. <a href="/songs/1-8.htm">Christ directs her to the shepherd's tents</a> 9. <a href="/songs/1-9.htm">and showing his love to her</a> 11. <a href="/songs/1-11.htm">gives her gracious promises</a> 12. <a href="/songs/1-12.htm">the church and Christ congratulate one another</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/songs/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/songs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/songs/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Do not stare because I am dark The speaker, traditionally understood as the Shulammite woman, addresses the onlookers who might judge her appearance. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a darker complexion often indicated outdoor labor, which was associated with lower social status. This phrase highlights the societal norms and prejudices of the time, where fair skin was often idealized. Theologically, this can be seen as a reminder that God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances, as seen in <a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>.for the sun has gazed upon me The reference to the sun suggests exposure to the elements, indicating a life of hard work. This aligns with the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where many people worked outdoors. The sun's gaze symbolizes the unavoidable circumstances that have shaped her appearance, much like how life's trials can shape a person's character. This can be connected to the refining process described in <a href="/malachi/3-3.htm">Malachi 3:3</a>, where trials purify and strengthen faith.My mother’s sons were angry with me This phrase suggests familial conflict, possibly indicating a blended family or step-siblings, which was not uncommon in biblical times. The anger of her brothers may reflect jealousy or a desire to control, reminiscent of Joseph's brothers in <a href="/genesis/37.htm">Genesis 37</a>. This familial tension can be seen as a type of the rejection Christ faced from His own people, as noted in <a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a>.they made me a keeper of the vineyards The vineyards symbolize responsibility and labor imposed upon her by her brothers. Vineyards were significant in Israelite culture, representing both economic livelihood and spiritual fruitfulness, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/5.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a>. This imposition of labor can be seen as a metaphor for the burdens others place upon us, contrasting with Jesus' invitation in <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a> to find rest in Him.but my own vineyard I have neglected The neglect of her own vineyard symbolizes the personal sacrifices she has made due to external demands. This can be interpreted as a loss of personal identity or spiritual neglect, a theme echoed in the parable of the ten virgins in <a href="/matthew/25.htm">Matthew 25:1-13</a>, where preparedness and personal spiritual care are emphasized. Theologically, it serves as a call to prioritize one's relationship with God amidst life's demands, reflecting the greatest commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind (<a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_shulammite_woman.htm">The Shulammite Woman</a> The speaker in this verse, expressing her feelings of being judged for her appearance and her circumstances. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_sun.htm">The Sun</a> Represents the natural elements that have affected the Shulammite's appearance, symbolizing external pressures and life circumstances. 3. <a href="/topical/m/mother's_sons.htm">Mother’s Sons</a> Likely refers to the Shulammite's brothers or close male relatives who have authority over her, contributing to her burdens. 4. <a href="/topical/v/vineyards.htm">Vineyards</a> Symbolic of responsibilities and duties imposed on the Shulammite, representing work and obligations. 5. <a href="/topical/h/her_own_vineyard.htm">Her Own Vineyard</a> Metaphor for her personal life, spiritual well-being, or self-care, which she has neglected due to external demands.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/j/judgment_based_on_appearance.htm">Judgment Based on Appearance</a> We should be cautious not to judge others based on their outward appearance or circumstances. God looks at the heart. <a href="/topical/b/balancing_responsibilities.htm">Balancing Responsibilities</a> It's important to balance external responsibilities with personal and spiritual care. Neglecting one's own "vineyard" can lead to spiritual and emotional depletion. <a href="/topical/h/handling_family_dynamics.htm">Handling Family Dynamics</a> Family relationships can be complex and challenging. Seeking God's wisdom and grace is essential in navigating these dynamics. <a href="/topical/f/finding_rest_in_christ.htm">Finding Rest in Christ</a> In the midst of life's demands, we are invited to find rest and renewal in Christ, who offers peace and strength. <a href="/topical/s/self-worth_and_identity.htm">Self-Worth and Identity</a> Our worth is not determined by others' opinions or our circumstances but by our identity in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_song_of_solomon_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 1</a> <a href="/q/why_did_she_call_herself_dark.htm">Why did the Shulammite woman describe herself as dark?</a> <a href="/q/does_song_1_5-6_show_cultural_inconsistencies.htm">Song of Solomon 1:5–6 emphasizes the speaker’s dark complexion and social status. Does this suggest cultural or ethnic inconsistencies with known historical contexts? </a> <a href="/q/are_'little_foxes'_in_song_2_15_literal.htm">In Song of Solomon 2:15, is there any documented threat from 'little foxes' spoiling vineyards in that region, or is it purely metaphorical?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_60_queens_fit_solomon's_700_wives.htm">(Song of Solomon 6:8) How can sixty queens and eighty concubines align with Solomon's reputed 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/songs/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) Look not . . .--i.e., with disdain, as in <a href="/job/41-34.htm" title="He beholds all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.">Job 41:34</a> (Heb. 26).Black.--Literally, blackish.The sun . . .--The word translated looked upon occurs only twice besides (<a href="/job/20-9.htm" title="The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.">Job 20:9</a>; <a href="/job/28-7.htm" title="There is a path which no fowl knows, and which the vulture's eye has not seen:">Job 28:7</a>). 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. <a href="/psalms/50-20.htm" title="You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son.">Psalm 50:20</a>; <a href="/psalms/69-8.htm" title="I am become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother's children.">Psalm 69:8</a>.) The reference to the mother rather than the father is natural in a country where polygamy was practised. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/songs/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>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 <a href="/job/3-9.htm">Job 3:9</a> and Job 41:10 it is used in the sense of looking at or upon. The sun is the eye of the heavens (see <a href="/2_samuel/12-11.htm">2 Samuel 12:11</a>), 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. <a href="/commentaries/songs/1-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not stare תִּרְא֙וּנִי֙ (tir·’ū·nî) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see because I שֶׁאֲנִ֣י (še·’ă·nî) Pronoun - relative | Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I am dark, שְׁחַרְחֹ֔רֶת (šə·ḥar·ḥō·reṯ) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7840.htm">Strong's 7840: </a> Blackish for the sun הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ (haš·šā·meš) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8121.htm">Strong's 8121: </a> 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 <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7805.htm">Strong's 7805: </a> To catch sight of, look on My mother’s אִמִּ֣י (’im·mî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> A mother, ) sons בְּנֵ֧י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son were angry נִֽחֲרוּ־ (ni·ḥă·rū-) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2787.htm">Strong's 2787: </a> To be hot or scorched, to burn with me; בִ֗י (ḇî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> they made שָׂמֻ֙נִי֙ (śā·mu·nî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set me a keeper נֹטֵרָ֣ה (nō·ṭê·rāh) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5201.htm">Strong's 5201: </a> To guard, to cherish of the vineyards, הַכְּרָמִ֔ים (hak·kə·rā·mîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> A garden, vineyard [but] my own vineyard כַּרְמִ֥י (kar·mî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> A garden, vineyard I have neglected. לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/songs/1-6.htm">Song of Solomon 1:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/songs/1-6.htm">Song of Solomon 1:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/songs/1-6.htm">Song of Solomon 1:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/songs/1-6.htm">Song of Solomon 1:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/songs/1-6.htm">Song of Solomon 1:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/songs/1-6.htm">Song of Solomon 1:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/songs/1-6.htm">Song of Solomon 1:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/songs/1-6.htm">Song of Solomon 1:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/songs/1-6.htm">Song of Solomon 1:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/songs/1-6.htm">Song of Solomon 1:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/songs/1-6.htm">OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 1:6 Don't stare at me because (Song Songs SS So Can)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/songs/1-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Song of Solomon 1:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 1:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/songs/1-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Song of Solomon 1:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 1:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>