What does it mean that the Shulammite had dark skin (Song of Solomon 1:6)?

Response

The Shulammite, the woman Solomon loves, describes herself as having dark skin: “Do not gaze at me because I am dark” Song of Solomon 1:6, ESV. In the NASB, she is “swarthy”; in the KJV, she is “black.”

Some have suggested that the Shulammite woman was a dark-skinned woman, possibly of African descent. However, a more plausible explanation is found in the same verse. Immediately after mentioning the woman as “dark,” we read, “Because the sun has looked upon me” (ESV). In the NIV, it’s clearer what she means: “Because I am darkened by the sun.” The rest of the verse explains why the Shulammite was in the sun: “My mother’s sons were angry with me / and made me take care of the vineyards; / my own vineyard I had to neglect.” In other words, she was compelled to work outside in the sun and had not taken care of her skin as she would have liked.

In modern Western culture, many women strive to tan and darken their skin. However, in the ancient Near East, the opposite was true. Dark or tanned skin was undesirable because it suggested a woman had spent considerable time toiling in the sun, a task typically associated with servants or impoverished women. Wealthier women would avoid working in the sun; they would spend more time indoors or wear finer clothing that covered their skin.

The Shulammite woman did not wish to be scrutinized because of her tanned skin. In Song of Solomon 1:5 we read, “Dark am I, yet lovely, / daughters of Jerusalem, / dark like the tents of Kedar, / like the tent curtains of Solomon.” The tents of Kedar were crafted from the wool of black goats. The phrase “the curtains of Solomon” is challenging to interpret from the Hebrew text. Many scholars believe the correct understanding is instead “the tents of Salma.” If so, the imagery is appropriate. The Salma people resided in the same general area as Kedar and likely also used black wool in their tent constructions. Otherwise, the curtains of Solomon were similar to

Truly purple, the hue of royalty, a shade that would not match the description in verse 6. Nevertheless, the Shulammite is advising the other women not to judge her negatively because of her sun-kissed skin.

Some have also delved into the meaning of Song of Solomon 1:6 based on the identity of the Shulammite. The term Shulammite has been construed in various ways. Two of the most plausible interpretations are that Shulammite signifies “O perfect one” or that it denotes a region called Shunem (as the LXX selects). If the latter interpretation is accurate, the Shulammite hailed from Shunem, a village near Jezreel inhabited by the Jews during Solomon’s era. The woman likely had an olive complexion, albeit darker than some due to her outdoor labor.

Despite the woman in Song of Solomon harboring some insecurities about her looks, she was undeniably cherished by Solomon and desired by him. The Song of Solomon provides a compelling illustration of how, despite imperfections, a man and a woman embrace and love each other unconditionally, seeking love and intimacy within the bounds of marriage.