King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 6:13 Mean?

Song of Solomon 6:13 in the King James Version says “Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were t...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies. of: or, of Mahanaim”

Song of Solomon 6:13 · KJV

Context

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

13

Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies. of: or, of Mahanaim

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies. The chorus calls for the Shulamite's return, met with defensive question. The Hebrew shuvi shuvi hashulammit shuvi shuvi venechez-bakh mah-techezu bashulammit kimcholat hamachanayim (שׁוּבִי שׁוּבִי הַשּׁוּלַמִּית שׁוּבִי שׁוּבִי וְנֶחֱזֶה־בָּךְ מַה־תֶּחֱזוּ בַּשּׁוּלַמִּית כִּמְחֹלַת הַמַּחֲנָיִם) introduces the bride as "Shulamite" and employs military imagery.

"Shulamite" (Shulammit, שׁוּלַמִּית) appears only here in Scripture. Etymology debated: feminine form of Solomon (Shelomo), meaning she belongs to Solomon? Reference to Shunem (hometown of Abishag, 1 Kings 1:3)? Or from shalom (peace), making her "the peaceful one"? The fourfold repetition "return, return" (shuvi shuvi) expresses urgent desire to behold her, possibly calling her back from dance or procession. "That we may look upon thee" (venechez-bakh) uses chazah (חָזָה), meaning to gaze, perceive, contemplate—intense visual focus.

The question "What will ye see?" challenges the gaze—why this intense scrutiny? The answer: "as it were the company of two armies" (kimcholat hamachanayim). Macholat (מְחֹלַת) means dance; machanayim (מַחֲנָיִם) means two camps/armies. Is this the "dance of Mahanaim" (place name from Genesis 32:2 where Jacob saw two camps of angels)? Or dance resembling two armies in formation? Either way, the bride's beauty and grace command attention like impressive military display. The church's corporate worship and unified beauty similarly displays Christ's glory before watching world (John 17:21-23, Ephesians 3:10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Mahanaim was significant biblical location east of Jordan River where Jacob encountered angels (Genesis 32:1-2), later serving as capital during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 17:24-27). The name means "two camps," referring to Jacob's company and angelic host. If the verse references this location's traditional dance, it suggests processional or celebratory movement involving coordinated groups. Ancient Near Eastern victory celebrations often included women's dances (Exodus 15:20, Judges 11:34, 1 Samuel 18:6-7). The Shulamite's dance might be wedding procession, victory celebration, or simply joyful expression of love, but observers are captivated by its beauty and coordination.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the fourfold call "return, return" reflect Christ's persistent invitation to His church to draw near and fellowship with Him?
  2. What does the image of the Shulamite as "two armies" teach about the church's calling to be both beautiful (bride) and formidable (army) against spiritual enemies?
  3. In what ways should the church's corporate life and worship command the attention of watching world like an impressive, coordinated display?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
שׁ֖וּבִי1 of 12

“Return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

שׁ֖וּבִי2 of 12

“Return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

בַּשּׁ֣וּלַמִּ֔ית3 of 12

“O Shulamite”

H7759

peaceful (with the article always prefixed, making it a pet name); the shulammith, an epithet of solomon's queen

שׁ֖וּבִי4 of 12

“Return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

שׁ֖וּבִי5 of 12

“Return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

תֶּחֱזוּ֙6 of 12

“that we may look”

H2372

to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of

בָּ֑ךְ7 of 12
H0
מַֽה8 of 12
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תֶּחֱזוּ֙9 of 12

“that we may look”

H2372

to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of

בַּשּׁ֣וּלַמִּ֔ית10 of 12

“O Shulamite”

H7759

peaceful (with the article always prefixed, making it a pet name); the shulammith, an epithet of solomon's queen

כִּמְחֹלַ֖ת11 of 12

“As it were the company”

H4246

a dance

הַֽמַּחֲנָֽיִם׃12 of 12

“of two armies”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

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 6:13 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 6:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 32:2Jeremiah 3:12-14Romans 7:23John 9:7Song of Solomon 2:14Isaiah 8:6

Places in This Verse

MahanaimSettlement · Modern: Tell edh Dhahab el Gharbi · 32.19°N, 35.69°E16 verses across 6 books
View all places in Song of Solomon 6 →

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