Song of Solomon 2:8
What does Song of Solomon 2:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 2:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 2:8 means
The maiden thrills at the sound of her beloved’s voice and vision of him coming, leaping over mountains and hills. His eagerness and agility show desire that overcomes distance. The imagery is energetic and hopeful: obstacles do not deter him. Love is not idle; it moves with purpose. The verse captures the joy of anticipation when the beloved draws near. It also sets an emotional tempo—swift, buoyant, eager—preparing for his call that follows. She is not left to guess his intentions; she hears and sees signs of his approach, which stirs her heart before any words are spoken.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh, Leaping upon the mountains, Skipping upon the hills.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh, Leaping upon the mountains, Skipping upon the hills.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The voice of my loved one! See, he comes dancing on the mountains, stepping quickly on the hills.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The voice of my beloved! lo, this--he is coming, Leaping on the mountains, skipping on the hills.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The voice of my beloved, behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping over the hills.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The voice of my beloved! Behold, he cometh Leaping upon the mountains, Skipping upon the hills.
Context
Following the cautionary refrain in verse 7, the scene shifts to renewed pursuit. The beloved’s dynamic arrival contrasts the prior pause, signaling that love’s season is advancing. Verse 8 heightens expectation, which verse 9 will develop by showing him close yet just outside, looking in. His spoken invitation in verse 10 will then crystallize the purpose of his coming, and verses 11–13 will give reasons grounded in the change of season, making the call feel timely and compelling.
v.7I 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.
v.8This passage
v.9My 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
- Isaiah 55:12
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.
- Jeremiah 48:27
For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for as often as thou speakest of him, thou waggest the head.
- Song of Solomon 5:2
I was asleep, but my heart waked: It is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; For my head is filled with dew, My locks with the drops of the night.
- John 10:4
When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
- Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
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