Jewish Publication Society
I am dark, but comely,
O daughters of Jerusalem –
Like the tents of Kedar,
Like the pavilions of Kedar,
Like the pavilions of Solomon
Don’t stare at me because I am swarthy,
Because the sun has gazed upon me.
I am dark, but comely,
O daughters of Jerusalem –
Like the tents of Kedar,
Like the pavilions of Kedar,
Like the pavilions of Solomon
Don’t stare at me because I am swarthy,
Because the sun has gazed upon me.
Chana and Ariel Bloch
I am dark, daughters of Jerusalem,
and I am beautiful!
Dark as the tents of Kedar, lavish
as Solomon’s tapestries.
Do not see me only as dark:
the sun has stared at me
I am dark, daughters of Jerusalem,
and I am beautiful!
Dark as the tents of Kedar, lavish
as Solomon’s tapestries.
Do not see me only as dark:
the sun has stared at me
Marcia Falk
Yes, I am black! and radiant –
O city women watching me –
As black as Kedar’s goathair tents
Or Solomon’s fine tapestries
Will you disrobe me with your stares?
The eyes of many morning suns
Have pierced my skin, and now I shine
Black as the light before the dawn.
Yes, I am black! and radiant –
O city women watching me –
As black as Kedar’s goathair tents
Or Solomon’s fine tapestries
Will you disrobe me with your stares?
The eyes of many morning suns
Have pierced my skin, and now I shine
Black as the light before the dawn.
Penina Weinberg commentary:
The conjunctive ve- most commonly means “and”. It is less frequently used to connote the adversative meaning = “but”
The Blochs suggest that the language is ambiguous and that the maiden could be either apologizing for her blackness or boasting of it.
The JPS may be heavily influenced by rabbinic interpretation. Regarding this verse, the Soncino Song of Songs Rabbah translates “ black but comely” and the interpretation is adversative, saying “I am black through my own deeds, but comely through the works of my ancestors,” and “The Community of Israel said: I am black in my own sight, but comely before my Creator.”
The conjunctive ve- most commonly means “and”. It is less frequently used to connote the adversative meaning = “but”
The Blochs suggest that the language is ambiguous and that the maiden could be either apologizing for her blackness or boasting of it.
The JPS may be heavily influenced by rabbinic interpretation. Regarding this verse, the Soncino Song of Songs Rabbah translates “ black but comely” and the interpretation is adversative, saying “I am black through my own deeds, but comely through the works of my ancestors,” and “The Community of Israel said: I am black in my own sight, but comely before my Creator.”
Caleb Mathis:
The song alternates between lines spoken by Solomon and lines spoken by the unnamed object of his affection.
The first lines spoken by the soon-to-be-bride include, “I am dark and lovely like Kedar’s tents, like Solomon’s curtains.” She goes on to explain that she has worked in the fields, and the sun has further darkened her skin.
While she appears a bit embarrassed at her skin tone, Solomon finds it beautiful. A few verses later, he bubbles over. “You are beautiful, my true love! Look at you! You are so beautiful.”
We don’t know the ethnicity or racial background of Solomon’s wife. But we do know this: she had dark skin, she was beautiful, and she was worthy of one of history’s greatest love poems.
The bottom line? God says black is beautiful.
The song alternates between lines spoken by Solomon and lines spoken by the unnamed object of his affection.
The first lines spoken by the soon-to-be-bride include, “I am dark and lovely like Kedar’s tents, like Solomon’s curtains.” She goes on to explain that she has worked in the fields, and the sun has further darkened her skin.
While she appears a bit embarrassed at her skin tone, Solomon finds it beautiful. A few verses later, he bubbles over. “You are beautiful, my true love! Look at you! You are so beautiful.”
We don’t know the ethnicity or racial background of Solomon’s wife. But we do know this: she had dark skin, she was beautiful, and she was worthy of one of history’s greatest love poems.
The bottom line? God says black is beautiful.