King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 7:5 Mean?

Song of Solomon 7:5 in the King James Version says “Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries. Carmel: ...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries. Carmel: or, crimson held: Heb. bound”

Song of Solomon 7:5 · KJV

Context

3

Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.

4

Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.

5

Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries. Carmel: or, crimson held: Heb. bound

6

How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!

7

This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thine head upon thee is like Carmel (רֹאשֵׁךְ עָלַיִךְ כַּכַּרְמֶל)—Mount Carmel was famous for its beauty, fertility, and majestic prominence on Israel's coast. Carmel means 'garden land' or 'fruitful field,' symbolizing abundance and splendor. The head represents leadership, dignity, and the culmination of the body. And the hair of thine head like purple (וְדַלַּת רֹאשֵׁךְ כָּאַרְגָּמָן)—purple dye was extremely expensive, extracted laboriously from murex shells. Only royalty could afford purple garments. The comparison elevates the bride's hair to royal status, precious and splendid.

The king is held in the galleries (מֶלֶךְ אָסוּר בָּרְהָטִים)—the Hebrew asur (אָסוּר) means 'bound' or 'captivated.' The 'galleries' (rehatim, רְהָטִים) may refer to flowing locks or channels. The bridegroom (the king) is captivated, held prisoner by love. The imagery celebrates love's power to voluntarily bind even royalty. Christ, the King of kings, is 'held captive' by love for His Church.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Mount Carmel was the site of Elijah's confrontation with Baal's prophets (1 Kings 18), demonstrating God's supremacy. Its beauty made it symbolic of Israel's restoration (Isaiah 35:2). Purple dye came from Phoenician coastal cities like Tyre, making it a luxury import associated with royalty and wealth (Acts 16:14). The phrase 'the king is held in the galleries' suggests the bridegroom willingly bound by the bride's beauty—love makes even kings vulnerable and captivated. Church fathers saw Carmel as the Church's fruitfulness, purple as royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), and the king's captivity as Christ's voluntary self-giving love. The imagery teaches that covenant love creates mutual vulnerability and delight.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of Christ the King being 'held captive' by love for His Church reveal the relational, voluntary nature of His commitment?
  2. What 'royal' qualities (like purple—precious, beautiful, costly) should characterize your life as someone adopted into God's royal family?
  3. In what ways can you cultivate the kind of character that is like Mount Carmel—fruitful, beautiful, majestic, and pointing to God's glory?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
רֹאשֵׁ֖ךְ1 of 9

“Thine head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

עָלַ֙יִךְ֙2 of 9
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כַּכַּרְמֶ֔ל3 of 9

“upon thee is like Carmel”

H3760

karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine

וְדַלַּ֥ת4 of 9

“and the hair”

H1803

properly, something dangling, i.e., a loose thread or hair; figuratively, indigent

רֹאשֵׁ֖ךְ5 of 9

“Thine head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

כָּאַרְגָּמָ֑ן6 of 9

“like purple”

H713

purple (the color or the dyed stuff)

מֶ֖לֶךְ7 of 9

“the king”

H4428

a king

אָס֥וּר8 of 9

“is held”

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

בָּרְהָטִֽים׃9 of 9

“in the galleries”

H7298

a channel or watering-box; by resemblance a ringlet of hair (as forming parallel lines)

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 7:5 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 7:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 35:2Song of Solomon 4:1Revelation 1:14Song of Solomon 5:11Ephesians 4:15-16Colossians 2:19

Places in This Verse

Mount CarmelMountain · Modern: Mount Carmel · 32.67°N, 35.02°E18 verses across 9 books
View all places in Song of Solomon 7 →

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