Song of Solomon 5:6
I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
Song of Solomon 5:6 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the Song of Solomon depicts the longing and heartache of a person who feels abandoned by their beloved. The speaker opens their heart to their beloved, only to find that he has turned away and disappeared. This sudden rejection causes the speaker's soul to falter, feeling lost and alone. Despite searching for their beloved, calling out for him, and seeking him tirelessly, the speaker receives no response. This verse captures the intense emotions of rejection, longing, and despair experienced when someone you love seems to have disappeared from your life. It conveys the deep pain of unrequited love and the feeling of being left alone and abandoned. The verse showcases the universal theme of separation and the yearning for connection, which many people can relate to in their own personal experiences of love and loss.
Theological Overview
The theological interpretation of this verse from the Song of Solomon reveals a deep sense of longing and yearning for the presence of the beloved. The imagery of the lover seeking their beloved but not finding them could be seen as symbolic of the human desire for a close relationship with God. In the context of the Song of Solomon, this passage is often interpreted as an expression of the soul's longing for intimacy with the divine. The language used here conveys a sense of abandonment and distress when the beloved is not found, evoking emotions of yearning and desperation. This verse can serve as a reminder of the importance of seeking God earnestly and persistently, even in times of spiritual drought or feelings of distance. Through theological reflection and word studies, we can uncover layers of meaning in this verse that speak to the depth of the human experience and the unrelenting pursuit of divine connection.
Song of Solomon 5:6 in other translations
American Standard Version
I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, [and] was gone. My soul had failed me when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
World English Bible
I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left; and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.
Douay-Rheims
I opened the bolt of my door to my beloved: but he had turned aside, and was gone. My soul melted when he spoke: I sought him, and found him not: I called, and he did not answer me.
Geneva Bible (1599)
I opened to my welbeloued: but my welbeloued was gone, and past: mine heart was gone when hee did speake: I sought him, but I coulde not finde him: I called him, but hee answered mee not.