King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 6:5 Mean?

Song of Solomon 6:5 in the King James Version says “Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead. overco...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead. overcome: or, puffed me up”

Song of Solomon 6:5 · KJV

Context

3

I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.

4

Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.

5

Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead. overcome: or, puffed me up

6

Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them.

7

As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.

Read Song of Solomon 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me (הָסֵבִּי עֵינַיִךְ מִנֶּגְדִּי שֶׁהֵם הִרְהִיבֻנִי)—the bridegroom is overwhelmed by the bride's gaze. The Hebrew hirhivuni (הִרְהִיבֻנִי) means 'they have overwhelmed/overpowered me.' This isn't fear but the overpowering effect of love's intensity. The bride's devoted eyes—those 'doves' eyes' focused exclusively on him (1:15, 4:1)—are too powerful to bear. Love makes the lover vulnerable, overcome by the beloved's attention and affection.

Thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead repeats earlier praise (4:1), showing that covenant love doesn't diminish with familiarity but renews appreciation. Gilead (גִּלְעָד) was known for its balm and pastures east of Jordan. The imagery celebrates natural beauty, vitality, and abundance. Church fathers saw the bride's hair as multitudes of believers covering Christ's Church, or as the Nazirite dedication symbolizing consecration to God (Numbers 6:5).

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Near Eastern culture, direct eye contact carried significant social and relational meaning—submissive averting of eyes showed respect, while steady gaze could indicate intimacy or challenge. The bridegroom's request to 'turn away thine eyes' paradoxically celebrates the bride's power over him through love—he's vulnerable to her devoted gaze. Goats descending from Gilead's hills created a striking visual of flowing movement, their dark hair contrasting with the terrain. The repetition of praise from chapter 4 demonstrates that genuine love doesn't become stale but continually rediscovers beauty in the beloved. Church tradition saw Christ 'overcome' by His Church's faithful devotion—divine love makes God voluntarily vulnerable to His people's affection (Hosea 11:8).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that Christ is 'overcome' by the devoted gaze of His people—how does this reveal the relational nature of God?
  2. How can you cultivate the kind of focused, devoted attention to Christ that this verse describes?
  3. Why does covenant love continue to find fresh delight in the beloved rather than growing bored or taking them for granted?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
הָסֵ֤בִּי1 of 11

“Turn away”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

עֵינַ֙יִךְ֙2 of 11

“thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

מִנֶּגְדִּ֔י3 of 11
H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

שֶׁ֥הֵ֖ם4 of 11

“from me for they”

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

הִרְהִיבֻ֑נִי5 of 11

“have overcome”

H7292

to urge severely, i.e., (figuratively) importune, embolden, capture, act insolently

שַׂעְרֵךְ֙6 of 11

“me thy hair”

H8181

hair (as if tossed or bristling)

כְּעֵ֣דֶר7 of 11

“is as a flock”

H5739

an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)

הָֽעִזִּ֔ים8 of 11

“of goats”

H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

שֶׁגָּלְשׁ֖וּ9 of 11

“that appear”

H1570

probably to caper (as a goat)

מִן10 of 11
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַגִּלְעָֽד׃11 of 11

“from Gilead”

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

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 6:5 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 6:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 15:1Matthew 15:27-28Exodus 32:10Genesis 32:26-28Song of Solomon 4:1-3

Places in This Verse

Gilead 1Region · Modern: Tell edh Dhahab esh Sherqiyeh · 32.19°N, 35.69°E86 verses across 21 books
View all places in Song of Solomon 6 →

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