Carmel. — Marg., crimson, from reading charmîl, which preserves the parallelism with the next clause better. But the whole passage deals in the author’s favourite figures from localities; and certainly the comparison of a finely-set head to a mountain is at least as apt as that in the preceding verse, of the nose to a “tower in Lebanon.” Besides, there may be a play on words, which in turn may have suggested the allusion to purple in the next clause, or possibly the vicinity of Carmel to Tyre may have led to the thought of its famous dyes.
Hair. — Heb. dallath, most probably = flowing tresses. For comparison —
“Carmine purpurea est Nisi coma.”
“Et pro purpureo dat pœnas Scylla capillo.
(Comp. πορφύρεος πλόκαμος in Lucian., and πορφυρᾶι χᾶιται in Anacreon.) So Collins: —
“The youths whose locks divinely spreading,
Like vernal hyacinths in sullen hue.”
Ode to Liberty.
The king is held (Marg., bound) in the galleries. — For galleries, see Note on Song of Solomon 1:17. Translate “A king caught and bound by thy tresses,” i.e., they are so beautiful that a monarch would be caught by them.
(Comp. —
“When I lie tangled in her hair
And fettered in her eye.”)