King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 6:6 Mean?

Song of Solomon 6:6 in the King James Version says “Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one ba...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Song of Solomon 6:6 · KJV

Context

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.

8

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing—the bridegroom continues his detailed admiration (repeating 4:2) with imagery celebrating cleanliness, order, and health. Sheep emerging from washing are white, clean, and uniform. Teeth represent both beauty and function—attractiveness and ability to nourish oneself. The Hebrew rechelim (רְחֵלִים) specifically means 'ewes' (female sheep), emphasizing gentleness and productivity.

Whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them (שֶׁכֻּלָּם מַתְאִימוֹת וְשַׁכֻּלָה אֵין בָּהֶם)—the imagery emphasizes completeness, fruitfulness, and lack of deficiency. Every sheep has twins; none is barren (shakkulah, שַׁכֻּלָה, bereaved/childless). This celebrates not only beauty but fertility and abundance. Church fathers saw this as the Church's fruitfulness in producing spiritual offspring through evangelism and discipleship. Healthy teeth enable nourishment, just as spiritually mature believers properly receive and digest God's word (Hebrews 5:12-14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Dental health was valued in the ancient world but difficult to maintain—white, complete, even teeth were marks of health and beauty. Sheep-washing was common practice before shearing, creating a striking image of cleanliness. The emphasis on fruitfulness (twins) and lack of barrenness reflects agricultural culture where fertility was essential for survival and prosperity. Barrenness was considered a tragedy and sometimes divine judgment, while fruitfulness indicated blessing (Genesis 49:25; Deuteronomy 28:4). The Church fathers interpreted the 'twins' as Old and New Testament, or as faith and works paired together. Modern application emphasizes both the beauty of holiness (cleanness) and the expectation of spiritual fruitfulness in believers' lives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does spiritual 'cleanness' (sanctification) relate to spiritual fruitfulness in your life?
  2. What kind of 'twins' is your spiritual life producing—what evidence of gospel fruitfulness can you identify?
  3. In what ways do you properly 'chew' and digest God's word, rather than swallowing it whole or rejecting it?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
שִׁנַּ֙יִךְ֙1 of 11

“Thy teeth”

H8127

a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff

כְּעֵ֣דֶר2 of 11

“are as a flock”

H5739

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

הָֽרְחֵלִ֔ים3 of 11

“of sheep”

H7353

a ewe [the females being the predominant element of a flock] (as a good traveller)

שֶׁעָל֖וּ4 of 11

“which go up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִן5 of 11
H4480

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

הָרַחְצָ֑ה6 of 11

“from the washing”

H7367

a bathing place

שֶׁכֻּלָּם֙7 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַתְאִימ֔וֹת8 of 11

“whereof every one beareth twins”

H8382

to be (causatively, make) twinned, i.e., (figuratively) duplicate or (architectural) jointed

וְשַׁכֻּלָ֖ה9 of 11

“and there is not one barren”

H7909

bereaved

אֵ֥ין10 of 11
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

בָּהֶֽם׃11 of 11
H0

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 6:6 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 6:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 4:2Matthew 25:30Matthew 21:19

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