Song of Solomon 5:6 Meaning and Explanation
“I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When she finally opens, he is gone; the delay has cost her the meeting, leaving her bereft and searching.
The Context of Song of Solomon 5:6
The beloved has departed before she opens the door.
What Does Song of Solomon 5:6 Mean?
The tragedy of lost time unfolds in an instant: she overcame her hesitation, but he withdrew. Her delay—though understandable—separated them. Her soul fails: the loss is existential, not merely emotional. She sought, called, but received no answer, a silence that echoes abandonment.
This reversal teaches the cost of reluctance in love: attentiveness and readiness matter. The beloved's withdrawal, whether punishment or simple departure after waiting, brings home the fragility of union and the reality that love requires reciprocal presence in the moment.
Song of Solomon 5:6 in the Original Language
withdrawn (סר, sar) — to turn aside, depart, remove oneself; the same root used for turning away from righteousness or from God's face.
Frequently Asked Questions About Song of Solomon 5:6
What does Song of Solomon 5:6 mean?
When she finally opens, he is gone; the delay has cost her the meeting, leaving her bereft and searching.
What is the context of Song of Solomon 5:6?
The beloved has departed before she opens the door.