King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 6:10 Mean?

Song of Solomon 6:10 in the King James Version says “Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?

Song of Solomon 6:10 · KJV


Context

8

There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.

9

My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

10

Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?

11

I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.

12

Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib. Or ever: Heb. I knew not made: or, set me on the chariots of my willing people


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Others ask about the bride: 'Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?' The verse employs escalating cosmic imagery: 'morning' (shachar, שַׁחַר) suggests dawn's first light; 'fair as the moon' (yaphah khalevanah, יָפָה כַלְּבָנָה) indicates reflected beauty; 'clear as the sun' (barah kachamah, בָּרָה כַּחַמָּה) describes brilliant radiance; 'terrible as an army with banners' (ayummah kanidgalot, אֲיֻמָּה כַּנִּדְגָּלוֹת) suggests awesome, overwhelming power. The progression moves from gentle beauty to overwhelming glory. This verse celebrates the bride's comprehensive excellence—she is beautiful, radiant, and formidable. The combination of attractiveness and strength models complete femininity. Church fathers saw the Church as both beautiful (adorned in Christ's righteousness) and terrible (victorious over Satan and sin through Christ's triumph).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient peoples marveled at celestial beauty—dawn's gentle light, moon's soft radiance, sun's blazing glory. Military imagery ('terrible as an army with banners') adds unexpected dimension: the beautiful bride also possesses awesome strength. This combination challenged ancient stereotypes limiting women to weakness. The Church's application emphasizes that Christ's bride is both lovely and victorious—beautiful in holiness yet triumphant in spiritual warfare. The Reformers saw the Church as simul pulchra et bellicosa—simultaneously beautiful and militant. Puritan poets celebrated this: the Church adorns herself as bride while battling as warrior. Modern readers recover biblical femininity's fullness—combining beauty, strength, grace, and courage rather than settling for one-dimensional caricatures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse challenge reductionist views of femininity that emphasize either beauty or strength but not both?
  2. In what ways is the Church meant to be both 'fair as the moon' (attractive, beautiful) and 'terrible as an army' (formidable, victorious)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
מִי1 of 11
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

זֹ֥את2 of 11
H2063

this (often used adverb)

הַנִּשְׁקָפָ֖ה3 of 11

Who is she that looketh forth

H8259

properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e., (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)

כְּמוֹ4 of 11
H3644

as, thus, so

שָׁ֑חַר5 of 11

as the morning

H7837

dawn (literal, figurative or adverbial)

יָפָ֣ה6 of 11

fair

H3303

beautiful (literally or figuratively)

כַלְּבָנָ֗ה7 of 11

as the moon

H3842

properly, (the) white, i.e., the moon

בָּרָה֙8 of 11

clear

H1249

beloved; also pure, empty

כַּֽחַמָּ֔ה9 of 11

as the sun

H2535

heat; by implication, the sun

אֲיֻמָּ֖ה10 of 11

and terrible

H366

frightful

כַּנִּדְגָּלֽוֹת׃11 of 11

as an army with banners

H1713

to flaunt, i.e., raise a flag; figuratively, to be conspicuous


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Song of Solomon. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Song of Solomon 6:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Song of Solomon 6:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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