His head is purest gold
The imagery of "purest gold" in this phrase is deeply symbolic, reflecting the value, purity, and nobility of the beloved. In ancient times, gold was the most precious of metals, often associated with royalty and divinity. The Hebrew word for gold, "זָהָב" (zahav), conveys not only material wealth but also spiritual richness and incorruptibility. This description elevates the beloved's head, suggesting wisdom, honor, and a kingly nature. In a broader biblical context, gold is often used to describe the divine, as seen in the construction of the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple, where gold signified God's glory and presence.

his hair is wavy
The term "wavy" suggests a natural, unrestrained beauty, indicative of vitality and youth. The Hebrew word "תַּלְתַּלִּים" (taltallim) can be translated as "locks" or "curls," emphasizing a sense of movement and life. This imagery may also reflect the cultural appreciation for hair as a symbol of strength and virility, reminiscent of Samson's hair in the Book of Judges, which was the source of his strength. The wavy nature of the hair adds a dynamic quality to the beloved's appearance, suggesting a lively and engaging personality.

and black as a raven
The comparison to a "raven" highlights the deep, lustrous blackness of the beloved's hair. Ravens, known for their striking black plumage, are often associated with mystery and depth. In the Hebrew context, the word "שָׁחֹר" (shachor) for black conveys richness and intensity. This description not only emphasizes the physical attractiveness of the beloved but also suggests a sense of mystery and allure. In biblical literature, black is sometimes used to denote beauty and distinction, as seen in the description of the tents of Kedar in Song of Solomon 1:5. The raven, a creature of the natural world, also underscores the beloved's connection to creation and the Creator's artistry in forming such beauty.

(11) Bushy.--Marg., curled; Heb., taltallim=flowing in curls, or heaped up, i.e., thick, bushy, according as we derive from talah or tel. The LXX. (followed by the Vulg.) take taltallim for another form of zalzallim (Isaiah 18:5, sprigs of the vine), and render palm-leaves.

Verses 11-16. - His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. His eyes are like doves beside the water brooks; washed with milk and fitly set. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as banks of sweet herbs; his lips are as lilies, dropping liquid myrrh. His hands are as rings of gold set with beryl; his body is as ivory work overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble set upon sockets of fine gold. His aspect is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. This description, which is complete in itself, is best regarded in its unbroken perfection. We must not expect to find a meaning for each separate part of it. There are ten corporeal excellences enumerated. We naturally recall the descriptions in Daniel and in the Apocalypse, which certainly have reference to this, and manifestly combine the attributes of greatness and beauty in the Son of man. Solomon, no doubt, as the son of Bathsheba, was distinguished by his personal attractions. Some of the details of description are differently rendered by different commentators. Delitzsch regards the description of the hair in ver. 11 as compared to a hill or hilly range" his locks hill upon hill," i.e. "his hair, seen from his neck upwards, forms in undulating lines hill upon hill." The black colour is no doubt mentioned as a contrast with the fair, white complexion. The eyes are not only pure and clear, but with a glancing moistness in them which expresses feeling and devotion. So Plutarch has ὑρότης τῶν ὀμμάτῶν to denote a languishing look, and we find the same figure in the 'Gitagovinda ' and Hafiz, and in Ossian. So Luther, "Und stehen in der Falle." The pureness of the white of the eye is represented in the bathing or washing in milk. They are full and large, "fine in their setting," referring no doubt to the steady, strong look of fine eyes. "The cheeks" are compared to towers of plants; that is, there is a soft elevation in them. LXX., ψύουσαι μυρεψικά: Jerome, Sicut areolae aromatum consitae a pigmentariis. The Targum says, "Like the rows of a garden of aromatic plants, which produce deep, penetrating essences, even as a (magnificent) garden aromatic plants" - perhaps referring to the "flos juventae," the hair on the face, the growth of the beard. "The lips" are described as the organs of speech as well as inviting to embrace. They drop words like liquid fragrance. "The bands" may be differently described according as they are viewed. Delitzsch says, "His hands form cylinders, fitted in with stones of Tarshish." Gesenius thinks the comparison is of the closed hand and the stained nails, but that seems farfetched. Surely it is the outstretched hands that are meant. The form of the fingers is seen and admired; they are full, round, fleshy like bars of gold. The word "Tarshish" may mean clay white, as in the Greek versions; that is, topaz, called Tarshish from Tartessus in Spain, where it is found. The description of the body is of the outward appearance and figure only, though the word itself signifies "inward parts." The comparison with ivory work refers to the glancing and perfect smoothness and symmetry as of a beautiful ivory statue, the work of the highest artistic excellence. The sapphire covering tempers the white. The beautiful blue veins appear through the skin and give a lovely tint to the body. So in the description of the legs we have the combination of white and gold, the white marble setting forth greatness and purity, and the gold sublimity and nobleness; intended, no doubt, to suggest that in the royal bridegroom there was personal beauty united with kingly majesty, as in the following description of his general aspect, which, like the splendours of the mountains, was awe-inspiring and yet elevating and delightful (cf. Psalm 80:11 (10): Jeremiah 22:7; Isaiah 37:24). His mouth, or palate, is sweetness itself; that is, when he speaks his words are full of winning love (cf. Proverbs 16:4; Psalm 55:16). We may compare with the whole description that given of Absalom, Solomon's brother, in 2 Samuel 14:25, 26. It has been truly remarked by Zockler that "the mention of the legs, and just before of the body, could only be regarded as unbecoming or improper by an overstrained prudishness, because the description which is here given avoids all libidinous details, and is so strictly general as not even to imply that she had ever seen the parts of the body in question in a nude condition." It merely serves to complete the delineation of her lover, which Shulamith sketches by a gradual descent from head to foot, and, moreover, is to be laid to the account of the poet rather than to that of Shulamith, who is in everything else so chaste and delicate in her feelings. Certainly it would be much less delicate regarded as the description of a shepherd lover who is seeking to obtain possession of the maiden taken from him, than of the royal bridegroom to whom Shulamith is at all events affianced, if not already married. The highest spiritual feelings of loving adoration of the Saviour have welcomed some parts of this description, and adopted them into the language of "spiritual songs." To some minds, no doubt, it is repellent; to those to whom it is not so, the warmth and glow of Eastern language is by no means too realistic for the feelings of delight in the Lord which express themselves in rapturous music.

Parallel Commentaries ...

His head
רֹאשׁ֖וֹ (rō·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

is purest gold;
כֶּ֣תֶם (ke·ṯem)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3800: Something carved out, ore, gold

his hair
קְוּצּוֹתָיו֙‪‬ (qəw·wṣ·ṣō·w·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6977: Locks (of hair)

is wavy
תַּלְתַּלִּ֔ים (tal·tal·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8534: Perhaps locks (of hair)

and black
שְׁחֹר֖וֹת (šə·ḥō·rō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 7838: Dusky, jetty

as a raven.
כָּעוֹרֵֽב׃ (kā·‘ō·w·rêḇ)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6158: A raven


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 5:11 His head is like the purest gold (Song Songs SS So Can)