Song of Solomon 6:5
Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
In ancient Near Eastern culture, direct eye contact carried significant social and relational meaning—submissive averting of eyes showed respect, while steady gaze could indicate intimacy or challenge. The bridegroom's request to 'turn away thine eyes' paradoxically celebrates the bride's power over him through love—he's vulnerable to her devoted gaze. Goats descending from Gilead's hills created a striking visual of flowing movement, their dark hair contrasting with the terrain. The repetition of praise from chapter 4 demonstrates that genuine love doesn't become stale but continually rediscovers beauty in the beloved. Church tradition saw Christ 'overcome' by His Church's faithful devotion—divine love makes God voluntarily vulnerable to His people's affection (Hosea 11:8).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that Christ is 'overcome' by the devoted gaze of His people—how does this reveal the relational nature of God?
- How can you cultivate the kind of focused, devoted attention to Christ that this verse describes?
- Why does covenant love continue to find fresh delight in the beloved rather than growing bored or taking them for granted?
Analysis & Commentary
Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me (הָסֵבִּי עֵינַיִךְ מִנֶּגְדִּי שֶׁהֵם הִרְהִיבֻנִי)—the bridegroom is overwhelmed by the bride's gaze. The Hebrew hirhivuni (הִרְהִיבֻנִי) means 'they have overwhelmed/overpowered me.' This isn't fear but the overpowering effect of love's intensity. The bride's devoted eyes—those 'doves' eyes' focused exclusively on him (1:15, 4:1)—are too powerful to bear. Love makes the lover vulnerable, overcome by the beloved's attention and affection.
Thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead repeats earlier praise (4:1), showing that covenant love doesn't diminish with familiarity but renews appreciation. Gilead (גִּלְעָד) was known for its balm and pastures east of Jordan. The imagery celebrates natural beauty, vitality, and abundance. Church fathers saw the bride's hair as multitudes of believers covering Christ's Church, or as the Nazirite dedication symbolizing consecration to God (Numbers 6:5).