Song of Solomon 5 · Verse 11

Song of Solomon 5:11

His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
Song of Solomon 5:11, King James Version

Song of Solomon 5:11 in other translations

BSBHis head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven.
WEBHis head is like the purest gold. His hair is bushy, black as a raven.
ASVHis head is as the most fine gold; His locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
YLTHis head is pure gold--fine gold, His locks flowing, dark as a raven,
DARBYHis head is as the finest gold; His locks are flowing, black as the raven;
BBEHis head is as the most delicate gold; his hair is thick, and black as a raven.
WebsterHis head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.

What does Song of Solomon 5:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
11. head ... gold--the Godhead of Jesus Christ, as distinguished from His heel, that is, His manhood, which was "bruised" by Satan; both together being one Christ (1Co 11:3). Also His sovereignty, as Nebuchadnezzar, the supreme king was "the head of gold" (Da 2:32-38; Col 1:18), the highest creature, compared with Him, is brass, iron, and clay. "Preciousness" (Greek, 1Pe 2:7). bushy--curled, token of Headship. In contrast with her flowing locks (So 4:1), the token of her subjection to Him (Psa 8:4-8; 1Co 11:3, 6-15). The Hebrew is (pendulous as) the branches of a palm, which, when in leaf, resemble waving plumes of feathers. black--implying youth; no "gray hairs" (Psa 102:27; 110:3, 4; Ho 7:9). Jesus Christ was crucified in the prime of vigor and manliness. In heaven, on the other hand, His hair is "white," He being the Ancient of days (Da 7:9). These contrasts often concur in Him (So 5:10), "white and ruddy"; here the "raven" (So 5:12), the "dove," as both with Noah in the ark (Ge 8:11); emblems of judgment and mercy.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 11 His head is as the most fine gold - He has the most beautiful head, fine and majestic. Gold is here used to express excellence. His locks are bushy - Crisped or curled. This may refer to his mustachios. Black as a raven - His hair is black and glossy.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Song of Solomon 5:9-16

Even those who have little acquaintance with Christ, cannot but see amiable beauty in others who bear his image. There are hopes of those who begin to inquire concerning Christ and his perfections. Christians, who are well acquainted with Christ themselves, should do all they can to make others know something of him. Divine glory makes him truly lovely in the eyes of all who are enlightened to discern spiritual…

Read the full comment on Song of Solomon 5:9-16 →

Song of Solomon 5:11 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

רֹאשׁ֖וֹro.Shohead hisH7218
כֶּ֣תֶםKe.tem[is] gold ofH3800
פָּ֑זPazpure goldH6337
קְוּצּוֹתָיו֙ke.vtz.tzo.Tavlocks hisH6977
תַּלְתַּלִּ֔יםtal.ta.Lim[are] curlsH8534
שְׁחֹר֖וֹתshe.cho.RotblackH7838
כָּעוֹרֵֽב\׃ka.'o.Revlike <the> ravenH6158

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Song of Solomon 5:11

  • Song of Solomon 7:5

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

  • Revelation 1:14

    His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

  • Song of Solomon 5:2

    I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

  • Daniel 7:9

    I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

  • Ephesians 1:21-22

    Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

  • Daniel 2:37-38

    Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
head.
Da 2:37,38; Eph 1:21,22
his locks.
7:5; Da 7:9; Re 1:14
bushy. or, curled.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Song of Solomon 5:10

    My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.

  • Song of Solomon 5:11

    His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.

  • Song of Solomon 5:12

    His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.

Read all of Song of Solomon 5

Song of Solomon 5:11 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Su cabeza, como oro finísimo; sus cabellos crespos, negros como el cuervo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Sa tête est un or très fin; ses boucles sont flottantes, noires comme un corbeau;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Sein Haupt ist gediegenes, feines Gold, seine Locken sind herabwallend schwarz wie der Rabe;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Caput ejus aurum optimum; comæ ejus sicut elatæ palmarum, nigræ quasi corvus.