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Writer's pictureTayU Yaho

The Plain Truth of the Shulamite Woman's Appearance in the Song of Solomon

The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, is a celebrated book in the Bible composed of love poems between a bride and groom. Among the verses, one particular passage, Song of Solomon 1:5-6, has sparked various interpretations, with some suggesting symbolic meanings. However, a closer examination reveals that the verses are best understood in their literal context, where the Shulamite woman straightforwardly explains her appearance.

 

Literal Interpretation

 

The verses read:

 

"I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept." (Song of Solomon 1:5-6)

 

In these passages, the Shulamite woman explicitly states her dark complexion. She describes herself as black and compares her appearance to the tents of Kedar, which were known for their dark, goat-hair fabric. This direct statement leaves little room for allegorical interpretation and should be taken at face value. The Shulamite woman is addressing those who might judge her for her darkened complexion, asking them to understand that it is due to her outdoor labor.

 

"I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon." Here, the Shulamite woman acknowledges her dark skin and asserts her beauty despite it. She draws a parallel between her complexion and the well-known dark tents of Kedar, emphasizing the richness and depth of her skin color.

 

"Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me:" She asks others not to judge her harshly for her darkened skin, attributing it directly to sun exposure.

 

"my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept." She further explains that her brothers' anger led them to make her work outside, which in turn caused her to neglect her personal care or appearance.

 

Poetic Language

 

While the language used in these verses is undeniably poetic, it does not necessarily imply that it is symbolic or allegorical. The poetic nature of the text comes from the expressive and descriptive way the Shulamite woman explains her situation:

 

Descriptive Language: The Shulamite woman uses vivid, descriptive language to convey her condition and the reasons behind it. The term "black" is a straightforward description of her sun-darkened skin.

Emotional Appeal: The language also carries an emotional weight, appealing to the empathy and understanding of the reader or listener. The Shulamite woman is not merely describing her appearance but is also expressing her feelings about how she is perceived.

 

Explanation of Darkening

 

The comparison to the tents of Kedar underscores the natural darkness of her skin. The additional explanation that the sun has made her darker suggests that her complexion, already dark, has been further deepened by sun exposure. This dual explanation highlights:

 

1. Inherent Complexion: She naturally has a dark skin tone, as indicated by the comparison to the tents of Kedar.

2. Sun Exposure: Her outdoor labor in the vineyards has further darkened her skin, a common phenomenon where even naturally dark skin becomes darker with prolonged sun exposure.

 

So, the Shulamite woman is not saying that the sun alone made her as dark as the tents of Kedar. Instead, she is emphasizing that her naturally dark skin, comparable to the tents of Kedar, has been further darkened by her exposure to the sun while working in the vineyards. This layered description helps to emphasize both her inherent beauty and the hard work that has contributed to her appearance.

 

Literary Context

 

While the Song of Solomon as a whole is rich with imagery and symbolism, not every verse within it requires an allegorical interpretation. These particular verses, with their clear and direct language, are a straightforward account of the Shulamite woman's physical appearance and the reasons behind it. The emphasis on her labor in the vineyards and the resulting neglect of her own "vineyard" (likely her personal well-being) is a literal recounting of her experiences.

 

Conclusion

 

In Song of Solomon 1:5-6, the Shulamite woman's words should be understood in their literal context. She plainly explains that her dark skin is due to working in the vineyards under the sun, a situation imposed upon her by her brothers. This literal interpretation respects the text as a direct expression of the Shulamite woman's lived experience, without the need for symbolic or allegorical readings. By recognizing the plain truth of her appearance, we honor the Shulamite woman's straightforward and poignant account of her life and the challenges she faces.



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