Song of Solomon 2:7
What does Song of Solomon 2:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 2:7 means
She adjures the daughters of Jerusalem by the roes and hinds—swift, sensitive creatures—not to stir up or awaken love until it pleases. Swearing by gentle wildlife matches the pastoral setting and stresses delicacy. Love is portrayed as something with its own proper season and rhythm; it must not be forced or rushed. The refrain teaches that, however beautiful and intense love may be (as in verses 4–6), it should unfold in due time. The community of onlookers is called to respect the sanctity and timing of this affection, guarding against interference that would spoil what is naturally ripening.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I say to you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes of the field, do not let love be moved till it is ready.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes or by the hinds of the field, Stir not up nor wake the love till she please!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I adjure you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and the harts of the field, that you stir not up, nor make the beloved to awake, till she please.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, till he please.
Context
After intimacy and love-sickness have crested, this repeated oath functions as a moral and structural hinge, closing one scene and opening another. It marks a pause that safeguards the relationship’s pace. Immediately after this restraint, the narrative shifts in verse 8 to the excitement of the beloved’s approach from afar, his voice and movement described with lively imagery. The refrain thus prevents misunderstanding of the passion just described and sets a wise tone for the next episode, in which love will invite rather than demand, and timing will be linked to the new season of spring.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Song of Solomon 5:8
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If ye find my beloved, That ye tell him, that I am sick from love.
- Song of Solomon 5:16
His mouth is most sweet; Yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
- Ephesians 5:22
Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
- Song of Solomon 3:5
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.
- Song of Solomon 1:5
I am black, but comely, Oh ye daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, As the curtains of Solomon.
- Song of Solomon 2:9
My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: Behold, he standeth behind our wall; He looketh in at the windows; He glanceth through the lattice.
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