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Ruth 1:19-21
So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said,Is this Naomi? …

because

Job 30:30
My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.

Jeremiah 8:21
For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.

Lamentations 4:8
Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.

my mother's

Psalm 69:8
I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

Jeremiah 12:6
For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.

Micah 7:6
For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemiesare the men of his own house.

keeper

Song of Solomon 8:11,12
Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousandpieces of silver…

for the sun has gazed upon me
The reference to the sun suggests exposure to the elements, indicating a life of hard work. This aligns with the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where many people worked outdoors. The sun's gaze symbolizes the unavoidable circumstances that have shaped her appearance, much like how life's trials can shape a person's character. This can be connected to the refining process described inMalachi 3:3, where trials purify and strengthen faith.

My mother’s sons were angry with me
This phrase suggests familial conflict, possibly indicating a blended family or step-siblings, which was not uncommon in biblical times. The anger of her brothers may reflect jealousy or a desire to control, reminiscent of Joseph's brothers inGenesis 37. This familial tension can be seen as a type of the rejection Christ faced from His own people, as noted inJohn 1:11.

they made me a keeper of the vineyards
The vineyards symbolize responsibility and labor imposed upon her by her brothers. Vineyards were significant in Israelite culture, representing both economic livelihood and spiritual fruitfulness, as seen inIsaiah 5:1-7. This imposition of labor can be seen as a metaphor for the burdens others place upon us, contrasting with Jesus' invitation inMatthew 11:28-30 to find rest in Him.

but my own vineyard I have neglected
The neglect of her own vineyard symbolizes the personal sacrifices she has made due to external demands. This can be interpreted as a loss of personal identity or spiritual neglect, a theme echoed in the parable of the ten virgins inMatthew 25:1-13, where preparedness and personal spiritual care are emphasized. Theologically, it serves as a call to prioritize one's relationship with God amidst life's demands, reflecting the greatest commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).

- The bride gently asks onlookers not to fixate on her outward appearance. She is not apologizing for her complexion; she simply wants to be known for more than what eyes can see (1 Samuel 16:7;1 Peter 3:3-4).

- The sentence recognizes a common temptation: judging by surface features. The inspired warning encourages believers to value inner character, echoingProverbs 31:30.

- Her darker skin tone is the natural result of long hours under the blazing sun. This reinforces the goodness of honest labor and the dignity of every skin shade (Ruth 2:7;Proverbs 14:23).

- The wording also suggests a testing heat. Like gold refined in fire (1 Peter 1:6-7), she has been shaped by hard circumstances, not ruined by them.

- Family conflict surfaces. The bride’s brothers parallel Joseph’s jealous siblings (Genesis 37:4-11) and David’s dismissive kin (1 Samuel 17:28-30).

- Scripture repeatedly shows that faithfulness can provoke opposition, even at home (Matthew 10:36).

- Forced labor under her brothers’ authority required her to guard and tend the family plots. This task imagery links to the stewardship Adam and Eve received in Eden (Genesis 2:15).

- Work assigned by others can feel thankless, yet God sees and rewards every hidden act of diligence (Colossians 3:22-24).

- “My own vineyard” points first to her personal appearance—she has had no time for self-care—yet the phrase also hints at the heart, the inner life (Proverbs 4:23).

- The contrast warns believers not to let external duties crowd out the cultivation of their relationship with the Lord (Songs 8:12;Luke 10:40-42).

Verse 6 paints a faithful young woman weathered by the sun, misused by brothers, and stretched thin by relentless responsibility. She is not ashamed of her skin; she simply longs to be seen for who she is inside. Her words invite us to guard against superficial judgments, to endure family friction with grace, to labor diligently, and—above all—to tend the vineyard of our own soul so that love for Christ remains vibrant.

Black.--Literally,blackish.

The sun. . .--The word translatedlooked uponoccurs only twice besides (Job 20:9;Job 28:7). The "all-seeing sun" is a commonplace of poetry; but here with sense of scorching. The heroine goes on to explain the cause of her exposure to the sun. Her dark complexion is accidental, and cannot therefore be used as an argument that she was an Egyptian princess, whose nuptials with Solomon are celebrated in the poem.

Mother's children--i.e.,brothers,not necessarilystep-brothers,as Ewald and others. (Comp.Psalm 50:20;Psalm 69:8.) The reference to the mother rather than the father is natural in a country where polygamy was practised. . . .