Song of Solomon 1:8

Love for others

⁶ Do 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.

⁷ 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?

If 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.

⁹ I compare you, my darling, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.

¹⁰ Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: If 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.
KJV: If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.
WEB: If you don’t know, most beautiful among women, follow the tracks of the sheep. Graze your young goats beside the shepherds’ tents.
ASV: If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds` tents.
DARBY: If thou know not, thou fairest among women, Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds' booths.
BLB: If you do not know [it] for yourself, O fairest among the women, go forth yourself in the tracks of the flock, and pasture your young goats beside the tents of the shepherds.

ÅB: Vet du det ikke, du fagreste blant kvinner, så gå ut i sauenes spor og vokt dine kje ved hyrdenes hytter!
OTB: Hvis du er usikker, Du vakreste blant kvinner, Følg sporene etter flokken Og beit dine unge geiter Nær teltene til gjeterne.
B1930: Vet du det ikke, du fagreste blandt kvinner, så gå ut i fårenes spor og vokt dine kje ved hyrdenes hytter!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Song of Solomon 6:1
Where has your beloved gone, O most beautiful among women? Which way has he turned? We will seek him with you.
Read in context
Song of Solomon 5:9
How is your beloved better than others, O most beautiful among women? How is your beloved better than another, that you charge us so?
Read in context
James 2:21
Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Read in context
James 5:10
Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Read in context
Hebrews 11:4–40
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
Read in context
John 21:15
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.”
Read in context
Proverbs 8:34
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.
Read in context
Ephesians 5:27
and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.
Read in context