Song of Solomon 5:11
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Song of Solomon 5:11
11 His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
Chapter Context
Song of Solomon 5 is a poetic love song chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of obedience, love. Written during Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient Near Eastern love poetry often used agricultural and royal imagery.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-16: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it foreshadows Christ's work through typology and prophetic elements. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Song of Solomon and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Song of Solomon 5:11
11 His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
Analysis
His head is as the most fine gold (rosho ketem paz, רֹאשׁוֹ כֶּתֶם פָּז)—the bride begins describing her beloved in response to the daughters' question (verse 9). The phrase "most fine gold" (ketem paz, כֶּתֶם פָּז) means pure, refined gold of highest quality. The head represents supremacy, authority, and preeminence. Christ is the Church's head (Ephesians 5:23)—supreme authority and source of life. Pure gold symbolizes divine nature, incorruptible perfection, and supreme value.
His locks are bushy, and black as a raven (qevutsotav taltalim shechorot ka'orev, קְוֻצּוֹתָיו תַּלְתַּלִּים שְׁחֹרוֹת כָּעוֹרֵב) describes full, wavy, black hair—signs of youthful vigor and vitality. Ravens' black glossiness suggests lustrous beauty. The beloved combines supreme worth (gold head) with youthful strength (black locks). Christ is both eternal God and ever-living Savior—ancient of days yet forever young, unchanging yet always vital. This verse begins the bride's wasf (descriptive poem) of her beloved—answering what makes him supremely valuable.
Historical Context
This verse begins the bride's response to "What is thy beloved?"—she describes him from head to toe (verses 11-16), mirroring his earlier description of her (4:1-7). The wasf genre praised the beloved's physical beauty using metaphorical language. "Fine gold" evoked royal imagery—Solomon's throne was overlaid with pure gold (1 Kings 10:18). Black hair symbolized youth and vigor—gray hair indicated age (Proverbs 20:29). The beloved's pure gold head and black locks combined supreme worth with youthful strength. Early church fathers saw Christ's "gold head" as His divine nature—pure, valuable, unchanging. His "black locks" represented His humanity—vital, strong, fully alive. The Reformers emphasized Christ's dual nature—fully God (gold) and fully human (vigorous youth). The Puritans taught that believers should meditate on Christ's attributes—His perfections, beauties, and excellencies—cultivating love through knowledge.
Reflection
- How does meditating on Christ's supreme worth ("fine gold") and unfailing vitality ("black locks") kindle affection and devotion in your heart?
- What specific attributes or beauties of Christ do you find most compelling—and how do you cultivate ongoing awareness of them?
- When asked to explain what makes Christ uniquely valuable, can you articulate His specific excellencies as the bride does here?
Cross-References
- Related: Song of Solomon 5:2, 7:5, Daniel 7:9, Revelation 1:14