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10 W My lover is radiant and ruddy;[a]
    outstanding among thousands.
11 His head is gold, pure gold,
    his hair like palm fronds,
    as black as a raven.
12 His eyes are like doves
    beside streams of water,
Bathing in milk,
    sitting[b] by brimming pools.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:10–11 In answer to the question of 5:9 the woman sings her lover’s praises (vv. 10–16). Ruddy: also used of David (1 Sm 16:12; 17:42). Gold: indicates how precious the lover is. Palm fronds: his thick, luxuriant growth of hair.
  2. 5:12 Sitting…: the translation of this line is uncertain; it may continue the metaphor of the lover’s eyes, or refer to another part of his anatomy (e.g., teeth) which has been omitted from the text.