Song of Solomon 1:7
New International Version
Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest your sheep at midday. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your friends?

New Living Translation
Tell me, my love, where are you leading your flock today? Where will you rest your sheep at noon? For why should I wander like a prostitute among your friends and their flocks? Young Man

English Standard Version
Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you pasture your flock, where you make it lie down at noon; for why should I be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of your companions?

Berean Standard Bible
Tell me, O one I love, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest them at midday? Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions?

King James Bible
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

New King James Version
Tell me, O you whom I love, Where you feed your flock, Where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself By the flocks of your companions?

New American Standard Bible
“Tell me, you whom my soul loves, Where do you pasture your flock, Where do you have it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who veils herself Beside the flocks of your companions?”

NASB 1995
“Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, Where do you pasture your flock, Where do you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who veils herself Beside the flocks of your companions?”

NASB 1977
“Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, Where do you pasture your flock, Where do you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who veils herself Beside the flocks of your companions?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, Where do you shepherd your flock, Where do you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who veils herself Beside the flocks of your companions?”

Amplified Bible
“Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, Where do you pasture your flock, Where do you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who is veiled Beside the flocks of your companions?”

Christian Standard Bible
Tell me, you whom I love: Where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you let them rest at noon? Why should I be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of your companions? Man

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Tell me, you, the one I love: Where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you let them rest at noon? Why should I be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of your companions? M

American Standard Version
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, Where thou feedest thy flock, Where thou makest it to rest at noon: For why should I be as one that is veiled Beside the flocks of thy companions?

Contemporary English Version
My darling, I love you! Where do you feed your sheep and let them rest at noon? Don't let the other shepherds think badly of me. I'm not one of those women who shamelessly follow after shepherds.

English Revised Version
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest thy flock, where thou makest it to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that is veiled beside the flocks of thy companions?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Please tell me, you whom I love, where do you graze your flock? Where does your flock lie down at noon? [Tell me,] or I will be considered a prostitute [wandering] among the flocks of your companions.

Good News Translation
Tell me, my love, Where will you lead your flock to graze? Where will they rest from the noonday sun? Why should I need to look for you among the flocks of the other shepherds?

International Standard Version
Tell me, you whom I love, where do you graze your flock? Where do you make your flock lie down at noon? Why should I be considered a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions?

Majority Standard Bible
Tell me, O one I love, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest them at midday? Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions?

NET Bible
Tell me, O you whom my heart loves, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest your sheep during the midday heat? Tell me lest I wander around beside the flocks of your companions!

New Heart English Bible
Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you graze your flock, where you rest them at noon; For why should I be as one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions?

Webster's Bible Translation
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

World English Bible
Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you graze your flock, where you rest them at noon; for why should I be as one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Declare to me, you whom my soul has loved, "" Where you delight, "" Where you lie down at noon, "" For why am I as one veiled, "" By the ranks of your companions?

Young's Literal Translation
Declare to me, thou whom my soul hath loved, Where thou delightest, Where thou liest down at noon, For why am I as one veiled, By the ranks of thy companions?

Smith's Literal Translation
Announce to me, thou whom my soul loved, where thou wilt feed, where thou wilt lie down at noon: wherefore shall I be as he covered by the herds of thy companions.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Shew me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou liest in the midday, lest I begin to wander after the flocks of thy companions.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Bride to Groom: Reveal to me, you whom my soul loves, where you pasture, where you recline at midday, lest I begin to wander after the flocks of your companions.

New American Bible
Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you shepherd, where you give rest at midday. Why should I be like one wandering after the flocks of your companions?

New Revised Standard Version
Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you pasture your flock, where you make it lie down at noon; for why should I be like one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, where did I feed, where did I make my flock to rest at noon? Lest I become like a sheep which has gone astray from your flocks.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Show me him whom my soul has loved. How have you fed and how have you dined at noonday?, lest I shall be as a stray in the flock of your sheep
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, Where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon; For why should I be as one that veileth herself Beside the flocks of thy companions?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Tell me, thou whom my soul loves, where thou tendest thy flock, where thou causest them to rest at noon, lest I become as one that is veiled by the flocks of thy companions.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Bride Confesses Her Love
6Do not stare because I am dark, for the sun has gazed upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me a keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have neglected. 7Tell me, O one I love, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest them at midday? Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions? 8If you do not know, O fairest of women, follow the tracks of the flock, and graze your young goats near the tents of the shepherds.…

Cross References
John 10:14-16
I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, / just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. / I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Psalm 23:1-2
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. / He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

Ezekiel 34:11-16
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. / I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements of the land. ...

John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” / Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” / Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.

Matthew 9:36
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jeremiah 31:10
Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.

1 Peter 5:2-4
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Micah 5:4
He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.

Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Psalm 80:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

Hebrews 13:20
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

Isaiah 49:9-10
to say to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ They will feed along the pathways, and find pasture on every barren hill. / They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun beat down on them. For He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.

Luke 15:4-7
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ ...

Jeremiah 23:3-4
Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. / I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, where you feed, where you make your flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turns aside by the flocks of your companions?

o thou

Song of Solomon 2:3
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Song of Solomon 3:1-4
By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not…

Song of Solomon 5:8,10,16
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love…

thou feedest

Genesis 37:16
And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

Psalm 23:1,2
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want…

Psalm 80:1
To the chief Musician upon ShoshannimEduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

for

1 Samuel 12:20,21
And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; …

Psalm 28:1
A Psalm of David. Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

John 6:67-69
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? …

turneth aside

Colossians 3:14-18
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness…

Jump to Previous
Companions Declare Delightest Feedest Flock Flocks Food Graze Heat Herself Lie Loves Makest Midday Noon Pasture Ranks Rest Sheep Soul Turneth Veiled Wandering Wanders
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Companions Declare Delightest Feedest Flock Flocks Food Graze Heat Herself Lie Loves Makest Midday Noon Pasture Ranks Rest Sheep Soul Turneth Veiled Wandering Wanders
Song of Solomon 1
1. the church's love unto Christ
5. She confesses her deformity
7. and prays to be directed, to his flock
8. Christ directs her to the shepherd's tents
9. and showing his love to her
11. gives her gracious promises
12. the church and Christ congratulate one another














Tell me
The phrase "Tell me" is a direct and earnest plea, reflecting the deep longing and desire for communication and understanding. In the Hebrew, the verb used here is "הַגִּידָה" (haggidah), which is an imperative form, indicating a strong request or command. This reflects the urgency and intensity of the speaker's desire to know the whereabouts of the beloved. It underscores the importance of communication in relationships, a theme that resonates throughout the Song of Solomon.

O you whom my soul loves
This expression of deep affection, "O you whom my soul loves," highlights the profound and intimate connection between the speaker and the beloved. The Hebrew word for "soul" is "נֶפֶשׁ" (nephesh), which can denote life, self, or inner being. This indicates that the love described is not merely physical or superficial but encompasses the entire being of the speaker. It is a love that is deeply rooted in the essence of who they are, reflecting the biblical ideal of love that is both passionate and holistic.

where you pasture your flock
The imagery of pasturing a flock is rich with pastoral and shepherding connotations. In ancient Israel, shepherding was a common occupation, and the shepherd was responsible for the care and guidance of the sheep. The Hebrew word "תִּרְעֶה" (tir'eh) means to pasture or tend, suggesting a role of leadership and provision. This metaphor can be seen as a reflection of the beloved's role in providing guidance and sustenance, akin to the way God is often depicted as a shepherd to His people in the Scriptures (e.g., Psalm 23).

where you make it lie down at noon
The phrase "where you make it lie down at noon" suggests a time of rest and safety. In the heat of the day, noon would be a time when the flock would need to rest in a cool, shaded area. The Hebrew word "תַּרְבִּיץ" (tarbitz) means to make lie down, indicating a place of comfort and security. This can be seen as a metaphor for the peace and rest found in the presence of the beloved, and by extension, in the presence of God, who provides rest for the weary soul.

For why should I be like a veiled woman
The reference to being "like a veiled woman" carries cultural and historical significance. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a veiled woman could imply someone who is not fully known or recognized, possibly even suggesting a woman of questionable reputation. The Hebrew word "כְּעֹטְיָה" (ke'otiyah) implies being covered or hidden. The speaker's desire is to be fully known and not to be mistaken for someone who is not in a legitimate relationship with the beloved. This reflects a longing for authenticity and transparency in the relationship.

beside the flocks of your companions
The mention of "the flocks of your companions" suggests a setting where multiple shepherds and their flocks are present. The Hebrew word "חֲבֵרֶיךָ" (chaverecha) means companions or friends. This indicates a communal environment, yet the speaker desires a unique and personal connection with the beloved, distinct from others. It highlights the exclusivity and special nature of their relationship, a theme that is central to the Song of Solomon and to the understanding of covenantal love in the biblical context.

(7) Where thou feedest . . . thy flock . . . For why should I be . . .?--The marginal reading, that is veiled, follows the LXX. in rendering the Hebrew literally. But it has been found somewhat difficult to assign a meaning to a literal translation. The suggestions=unknown (Ewald), veiled as a harlot (Delitzsch, &c; comp. Genesis 38:15), fainting (Gesenius), seem all wide of the mark, since the question only refers to the danger of missing her beloved through ignorance of his whereabouts. A transposition of two letters would give a word with a sense required = erring, wandering about, a sense, indeed, which old Rabbinical commentators gave to this word itself in Isaiah 22:16 (Authorised Version, cover); and probably the idea involved is the obvious one that a person with the head muffled up would not find her way easily, as we might say, "Why should I go about blindfold?"

The Rabbinical interpretation of this verse is a good instance of the fanciful treatment the book has received: "When the time came for Moses to depart, he said to the Lord, 'It is revealed to me that this people will sin and go into captivity; show me how they shall be governed and dwell among the nations whose decrees are oppressive as the heat; and wherefore is it they shall wander among the flocks of Esau and Ishmael, who make them idols equal to thee as thy companions?'"

Verse 7. - Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest thy flock, where thou makest it to rest at noon: for why should I he as one that is veiled beside the flock of thy companions? These words carry on the associations suggested by the previous verse. The bride is longing for the bridegroom; but she cannot think of him yet in any other light than as a companion of her simple country life - he is a shepherd, and she a shepherdess. "Take me into closer fellowship with thyself; let me not remain still only one amongst the many." Perhaps there is intended to be an allusion to the common metaphor - the king as the shepherd and the people as his flock; but the uppermost thought of the bride is separation unto her husband. The soul which longs for the enjoyment of fellowship with God desires to be carried away out of all distractions, out of all restraints, lifted above reserve and above doubt into the closest and most loving union. The idea of the veil may be either the veil of mourning or the veil of modesty and reserve. Probably the latter is the true reference. The LXX. has, ὡς περιβαλλομένη. There is some difference of opinion among critics. Ewald thinks it refers to strangeness - "like one unknown," and therefore veiled; Gesenius says, "one fainting;" others connect the word with the root "to roam," "to wander" (see Isaiah 22:17), which is confirmed by Symmachus, the Vulgate, the Syriac, the Chaldee, Jerome, Venetian, and Luther. The simplest explanation is that the bride compares herself, in her absence from her lord, among the ladies of the court, to a veiled woman travelling beside the flocks of the shepherds, seeking her friend, but not yet brought to him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Tell me,
הַגִּ֣ידָה (hag·gî·ḏāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

O one
לִּ֗י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

I
נַפְשִׁ֔י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

love,
שֶׁ֤אָהֲבָה֙ (še·’ā·hă·ḇāh)
Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

where
אֵיכָ֣ה (’ê·ḵāh)
Interjection
Strong's 349: How?, how!, where

do you pasture your sheep?
תִרְעֶ֔ה (ṯir·‘eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

Where
אֵיכָ֖ה (’ê·ḵāh)
Interjection
Strong's 349: How?, how!, where

do you rest them
תַּרְבִּ֣יץ (tar·bîṣ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

at midday?
בַּֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִם (baṣ·ṣā·ho·rā·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6672: A light, double light, noon

Why
שַׁלָּמָ֤ה (šal·lā·māh)
Pr | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

should I be
אֶֽהְיֶה֙ (’eh·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

like a veiled woman
כְּעֹ֣טְיָ֔ה (kə·‘ō·ṭə·yāh)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5844: To wrap oneself, enwrap, envelop oneself

beside
עַ֖ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the flocks
עֶדְרֵ֥י (‘eḏ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5739: An arrangement, muster

of your companions?
חֲבֵרֶֽיךָ׃ (ḥă·ḇê·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2270: United, associate, companion


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 1:7 Tell me you whom my soul loves (Song Songs SS So Can)
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