Look not upon me, &c.— Look not down upon me, because I am brown; for the sun hath discoloured me. My mother's children were severe unto me: they made me keeper of the vineyards: mine own vineyard have I not kept. There is a peculiar emphasis in the original of the last clause; mine own vineyard, which is mine, have I not kept. Houbigant translates the word שׁלי shelli (which is mine)—quietly; but this translation is not admissible, if, with Bishop Patrick and others, we allow vineyard to be the eastern phraseology for an office committed to a person, or any interest he is concerned in.
Related Commentaries of Song of Solomon 1:6
Song of Solomon 1:6
6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.