Song of Solomon 7:5
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The poet doesn't just compare her hair to beautiful things; they highlight how her very appearance has a powerful, almost involuntary effect on the king, captivating him completely. It's not just beauty for beauty's sake, but beauty that disarms and holds him captive. This isn't about manipulation, but about the potent, divine design of attraction that draws us into deep, committed love.
Your head crowns you like Carmel, and your flowing locks are like purple; a king is held captive in the tresses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a larger, passionate love poem celebrating the beauty and intimacy between a bride and groom. Right before this, the groom is marveling at his bride's physical appearance, describing her body with rich imagery. This verse continues that detailed appreciation, comparing her head and hair to stunning natural beauty and the irresistible allure of royalty.
We often think of beauty as something shallow, but the Bible doesn't shy away from its power. In this verse, the lover's beauty is so profound it literally captures royalty.
Beauty as Divine Design
The Song of Solomon uses vivid imagery to celebrate romantic love, and here, the woman's physical beauty is likened to the majestic Carmel mountain and the rich color of royalty. This isn't just about outward appearance; it points to the intricate beauty God designed within a relationship. The imagery of a king being 'held captive' by her 'tresses' emphasizes how this beauty commands attention and holds a profound influence, drawing even the highest in society into its spell.
Ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of nature? This verse uses natural wonders to paint a picture of stunning human beauty, showing how God's creation reflects His glory.
Nature's Magnificence in Human Form
The comparison of the woman's head to Mount Carmel and her hair to royal purple is incredibly rich. Mount Carmel was known for its lush beauty and fertility, a place of awe and grandeur. The color purple was historically associated with royalty and great wealth. Together, these images paint a picture of abundant, majestic, and precious beauty. It suggests that the lover sees in her an earthly manifestation of God's glorious creation, a beauty that is both natural and regal.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
argaman · Hebrew Noun
A word for purple dye, which was rare and expensive in antiquity. It is historically associated with royalty, majesty, and high honor, indicating the regal beauty and value of the beloved.
melek · Hebrew Noun
One who possesses sovereign authority. In this context, it highlights that the beauty of the beloved has a power that can overwhelm or "capture" even the most powerful of men.
asar · Hebrew Verb
To be bound, taken prisoner, or brought under the influence of another. It signifies the irresistible nature of the beloved’s attractiveness, illustrating the overwhelming power of love.
This passage also uses vivid imagery of the beloved's beauty, likening her eyes to doves and her lips to a scarlet thread, echoing the theme of breathtaking physical appearance.
Psalm 45:11This psalm speaks of a king's desire for his bride's beauty, highlighting the profound admiration and awe that can exist in a loving relationship, similar to the wonder expressed in Song of Solomon.
1 Peter 3:3-4While focusing on inner beauty, this passage acknowledges outward adornment. It contrasts superficiality with the enduring beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which can be seen as the true 'crown' beyond the physical.
Genesis 3:16This verse marks the introduction of a new dynamic in the relationship between man and woman after the fall, with the woman's desire being toward her husband who will 'rule over you.' This contrasts with the consensual captivation described in Song of Solomon 7:5.
The poet doesn't just compare her hair to beautiful things; they highlight how her very appearance has a powerful, almost involuntary effect on the king, captivating him completely. It's not just beauty for beauty's sake, but beauty that disarms and holds him captive. This isn't about manipulation, but about the potent, divine design of attraction that draws us into deep, committed love.
This passage is part of a larger, passionate love poem celebrating the beauty and intimacy between a bride and groom. Right before this, the groom is marveling at his bride's physical appearance, describing her body with rich imagery. This verse continues that detailed appreciation, comparing her head and hair to stunning natural beauty and the irresistible allure of royalty.
This passage is part of a larger, passionate love poem celebrating the beauty and intimacy between a bride and groom. Right before this, the groom is marveling at his bride's physical appearance, describing her body with rich imagery. This verse continues that detailed appreciation, comparing her head and hair to stunning natural beauty and the irresistible allure of royalty.
"Your head crowns you like Carmel, and your flowing locks are like purple; a king is held captive in the tresses." — The poet doesn't just compare her hair to beautiful things; they highlight how her very appearance has a powerful, almost involuntary effect on the king, captivating him completely. It's not just bea…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
