Song of Solomon 1:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The bride explains her dark complexion as the result of labor and family hardship, acknowledging her own neglect of personal care.
The Context of Song of Solomon 1:6
The bride reveals the source of her dark complexion and suggests social or family struggles.
What Does Song of Solomon 1:6 Mean?
Her brothers—'my mother's children'—assigned her to tend the family vineyards rather than support her own interests. This outdoor labor exposed her to the sun, darkening her skin. The metaphor shifts: vineyards represent both literal work and personal cultivation. She kept others' vineyards but not her own.
The line carries both vulnerability and self-awareness. She admits neglecting her own beauty, her 'vineyard,' due to family obligation. Yet this admission itself becomes a source of character: she knows labor, responsibility, and sacrifice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Song of Solomon 1:6
What does Song of Solomon 1:6 mean?
The bride explains her dark complexion as the result of labor and family hardship, acknowledging her own neglect of personal care.
What is the context of Song of Solomon 1:6?
The bride reveals the source of her dark complexion and suggests social or family struggles.