TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
Complete Jewish Bible
[He] My dove, hiding in holes in the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, let me see your face and hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
Berean Standard Bible
O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your countenance is lovely.
American Standard Version
O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, In the covert of the steep place, Let me see thy countenance, Let me hear thy voice; For sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
World English Bible Messianic
My dove in the clefts of the rock, In the hiding places of the mountainside, Let me see your face. Let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
Geneva Bible (1599)
My doue, that art in the holes of ye rocke, in the secret places of the staires, shewe mee thy sight, let mee heare thy voyce: for thy voyce is sweete, and thy sight comely.
Young's Literal Translation
My dove, in clefts of the rock, In a secret place of the ascent, Cause me to see thine appearance, Cause me to hear thy voice, For thy voice is sweet, and thy appearance comely.
See also
In the KJVVerse 17,569 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS 3:15
"Because your voice is sweet." And who would not profess that voice of the catholic church confessing the true faith is sweet, but the voice of the heretics is rough and unpleasant, which does not speak the teachings of truth but blasphemies against God and iniquity against the Most High? Thus also the appearance of the church is comely, but that of the heretics is ugly and foul—that is, if there is someone who knows how to test the beauty of the face, that is, if there is some spiritual person who knows how to examine all things. For among the unskilled and unregenerate people the sophistries of the lie seem more beautiful than the teachings of the truth.
Gregory of ElviraAD 392
EXPLANATION OF THE SONG OF SONGS 4:13, 15
There is thus no doubt that winter has a double meaning, either that harshness and severity belong to it, or that it is a time for sowing with the coming of the rain. When it says winter, therefore, it refers to the present world, where the Word of God is sowed in this age like a seed of righteousness by prophets and apostles, or priests, and is fertilized by assiduous preaching, as though by rains from heaven.…But with the passing of winter, that is, the tribulations of this world, and the cessation of the rains, that is, the preaching of the Word of God, and the subsequent arrival of the joy of Spring (which designates the coming of Christ’s vernal kingdom in great peace), then the bodies of the saints everywhere will emerge from the graves of the earth like flowers—lilies or roses—pure white with holiness and red with passion.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Interrogation of Job and David, Book 2, 1.4
He is a fine deer, whose mountain is the house of God, to which he runs with such speed that he surpasses the wishes and desires of his bride. Indeed, when he saw him coming from afar, he suddenly recognized that he was present beside him. Hence he says: Behold, he is here behind our wall, looking through the windows, peering through the lattice. My cousin answered and said to me: Arise, come, my nearest one, my beautiful one, my dove; for behold, winter has passed, the rain has gone, it has departed for itself, flowers have appeared on the earth. Winter is the Synagogue: the rain is the Jewish people, who could not see the sun: the apostles are the flowers. And he added: The harvest of the incision has come, the voice of the turtledove was heard in our land. That harvest is the faith of the Church: the voice of the turtledove is chastity.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On Isaac and the Soul, 4.34-35
"Arise, come to me, my love," that is, rise from worldly pleasures, rise from earthly things, and come to me, who are still laboring and burdened, because you are anxious for the things of the world. Come above the world, come to me, for I have conquered the world. Come near to me now, beautiful with the beauty of eternal life, now a dove, that is, gentle and meek, now completely full of spiritual grace. Now winter has passed, that is, Easter has come, indulgence has come, remission of sins has come, temptation has ceased, the rain has gone, the storm has gone, and the shaking. Before the coming of Christ, there is winter, after His coming there are flowers. Hence it says: Flowers are seen on the earth. Where there were thorns before, there are now flowers. It is said that the time for cutting has come. Where there was a desert before, there is now a harvest. The voice of the turtle-dove has been heard in our land.
JeromeAD 420
Against Jovinianus 1.30
Then the bridegroom makes answer to the bride and teaches her that the shadow of the old law has passed away and the truth of the gospel has come. “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away, for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.” … “The voice of the turtle [dove] is heard in our land.” The turtle [dove], the most chaste of birds, always dwelling in lofty places, is a type of the Savior.
JeromeAD 420
Against Jovinianus 1.30
Immediately the turtle says to its fellow, “The fig tree has put forth its green figs,” that is, the commandments of the old law have fallen, and the blossoming vines of the gospel give forth their fragrance.… While you covered your countenance like Moses and the veil of the law remained, I neither saw your face, nor did I condescend to hear your voice. I said, “Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear.” But now, with unveiled face behold my glory, and shelter yourself in the cleft and steep places of the solid rock.
Cyril of AlexandriaAD 444
FRAGMENTS IN THE COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS 2:14
The rock is Christ. He is a wall and a shelter to us who believe and a perfect guardian, which is denoted by the wall. When you arrive, he says, you will be protected with every defense.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS 2
It makes sense, therefore, for the bridegroom to call the bride, mature in virtue as she is, “dove,” that is, spiritual and filled with the Holy Spirit.…The bridegroom encourages and consoles his church in its struggle with trials, “peeps through the windows and looks in through the netting,” and urges her to stand fast and to fly to him.…
He is saying, if you rest in the middle of the two Testaments and draw benefit from both, you will find there the manifold gifts of the Spirit. The bride, accordingly, by accepting the spiritual exhortation and lying between the lots, found the wings coated in silver through which she was bidden fly up to the bridegroom.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
Show me your face, etc. You who in the hidden recesses of quiet, like a dove in the clefts of the rock, or in the hole of the wall, desire to be concealed, I pray that you come forth into the public sphere of action, and show your faith from your works, and declare to others also outwardly as an example what beauty you have within. For indeed to me, who perceive the inner part of the heart, I consider your face shown when I see your action demonstrating unblemished, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, for the benefit of others. For as long as one does something to the least of these, they do it to Me. Let your voice sound in my ears, namely the voice of praise or preaching, that is, either which praises me in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, or which by proclaiming stirs the mouths and minds of others to my praise. Therefore, the bride shows her face to the Lord in what she does in His sight; she also shows the sound of her voice in what she rightly says before Him. It is also to be considered more attentively what He says, Show me your face. He says, yours, not another's, that is, holy and unblemished: for such I have made it, cleansing it by the washing of water with the word; such I have perfected by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, signing upon you the light of my face. Let your voice sound in my ears, not another's, that is, the one which I taught you to have on your wedding day, by which you promised to keep your chastity for me. Again show me your face, let your voice sound in my ears, that is, to me, not to others, show your face. To my ears, not others, remember to give your voice; that is, for the sake of my love, not any other reason, and take care to do good works and speak holy words; for whoever expends their good works or words for human approval shows the beauty of their face or the sweetness of their voice to externals rather than to the Creator. But also according to the letter, women who strive to beautify the face of their body for the deception of fools and to soften their words over oil are transgressors of this Lord's precept, and therefore remain unworthy of that eminent praise by which the Lord glorifies His bride, adding,
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
Because your voice is sweet, etc. Indeed, the voice of that soul is sweet to the Lord, which knows how either to announce the words of the Lord to neighbors or to resound praises to the Lord Himself sweetly with the prophet, How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth (Psalm 119)! That face seems beautiful to the Lord, which strives to present itself as worthy to behold His face, which is accustomed to say to Him from the innermost heart, I have sought Your face, O Lord; Your face will I seek; do not turn Your face away from me (Psalm 27). However, our diligence in cleanliness will not be sufficient for us, if we do not also correct those who err, as much as we can, if we do not care to defend the weaker ones from their snares. Hence it is added:
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 2:14 beautifully captures the ardent longing of the male lover, often understood as Solomon, for his beloved Shulamite. He tenderly addresses her as "my dove," picturing her nestled in secluded, protective places—specifically, the "clefts of the rock" and "secret places of the stairs." His heartfelt plea is for her to emerge from her hiddenness, to reveal her face, and to allow him to hear her voice, which he declares to be sweet, and her countenance, which he affirms as comely. This verse encapsulates profound themes of intimacy, invitation, and the deep delight the lover takes in the very presence and expression of his beloved.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 2:14 is rich in Imagery, painting a vivid and evocative picture of the beloved as a delicate "dove" nestled in the rugged yet protective "clefts of the rock" and "secret places of the stairs." This imagery conveys both her tender vulnerability and her elusive beauty, creating a sense of longing and pursuit. The use of "my dove" is a quintessential Term of Endearment, immediately establishing a tone of deep affection, tenderness, and cherished intimacy. The verse also prominently employs Parallelism in the lover's dual requests ("let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice") and in his subsequent affirmations ("for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely"), which creates a rhythmic flow and emphasizes the profound nature of his desire. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a powerful Metaphor for the lover's yearning for open, unhindered intimacy and communication, inviting his beloved out of any perceived shyness or seclusion into a deeper, more visible communion.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While deeply rooted in human romance, Song of Solomon 2:14 carries profound theological implications, especially when interpreted allegorically as Christ's longing for His Church or an individual believer. It beautifully illustrates God's persistent and tender desire for genuine, unhindered intimacy with His people. Just as the lover calls his beloved out of her hiddenness, God continually invites us to draw near to Him, to emerge from places of fear, shame, busyness, or spiritual apathy. He longs to hear our "voice" in heartfelt prayer, authentic worship, and sincere confession, and to see our "countenance"—our lives lived openly, transparently, and in devotion before Him. His delight in us is not predicated on our inherent perfection, but on His steadfast love and the beauty He imputes to us through grace and redemption. This divine longing for communion is a recurring and central theme throughout the biblical narrative, underscoring God's relational nature.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 2:14 serves as a tender and profound invitation for us to deeply consider the nature of our own relationship with God. The lover's earnest plea for his beloved to emerge from her hiddenness resonates powerfully with God's persistent and loving call for us to come out of whatever "clefts of the rock" or "secret places" we might be hiding in—be it fear of judgment, shame from past failures, the distractions of a busy life, or spiritual complacency. God desires not merely our obedience or our service, but our authentic presence, our genuine voice in prayer and worship, and the open expression of our lives before Him. Just as the Shulamite's voice was sweet and her countenance comely to her lover, our prayers and our lives, when offered in sincerity and devotion, are truly precious and beautiful in God's sight. This verse encourages us to respond wholeheartedly to His loving call, to shed our inhibitions, and to engage in a deeper, more vulnerable, and more joyful communion with our Creator and Redeemer, knowing that He delights in us and longs for us to share our hearts with Him fully.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the beloved called a "dove" in this verse?
Answer: The term "dove" (Hebrew: yôwnâh) is a tender and affectionate term of endearment used frequently throughout the Song of Solomon. Culturally, doves were associated with purity, innocence, beauty, and gentleness, often nesting in rocky crevices. Spiritually, they can symbolize the Holy Spirit or a cherished, undefiled bride. In this specific context, it highlights the lover's deep affection and the beloved's delicate, cherished nature, emphasizing her beauty and purity in his eyes. It's a loving, intimate address that sets a tone of endearment for his earnest plea.
What do "clefts of the rock" and "secret places of the stairs" symbolize?
Answer: These phrases describe secluded, often rugged, and somewhat inaccessible locations. Symbolically, they can represent various aspects of the beloved's posture or situation:
What is the significance of the lover wanting to "see thy countenance" and "hear thy voice"?
Answer: This dual request emphasizes the lover's profound desire for complete and authentic intimacy. To "see thy countenance" (face) is to behold her presence, her expression, her very being. It signifies a longing for visual communion and the full revelation of her person, beyond mere physical form. To "hear thy voice" is to desire her verbal communication, her thoughts, her feelings, her songs, and her prayers. Together, these requests highlight a yearning for deep, personal connection that transcends mere physical proximity. It's about genuine interaction and the full expression of love, where both sight and sound contribute to a rich, reciprocal relationship. This longing for both visual and auditory engagement is fundamental to profound human connection, and allegorically, to our relationship with God, who desires to see our lives and hear our prayers, as beautifully expressed in Psalm 141:2.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 2:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ and His intimate relationship with His Church. Christ is the ultimate Bridegroom, and the Church is His beloved Bride, whom He passionately pursues with an unwavering love. Just as the lover in the Song longs for his dove to emerge from the "clefts of the rock," Christ continually calls His people out of their hiding places—whether those are places of sin, shame, fear, worldly distractions, or spiritual apathy. He desires a deep, unveiled intimacy with us, not a superficial or hidden relationship. His plea, "let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice," echoes His profound longing for our authentic presence in worship and our heartfelt prayers. He doesn't just want our service or our outward obedience; He wants our very selves, our faces turned towards Him in adoration, and our voices lifted in sincere praise and earnest petition. He declares our "voice" sweet and our "countenance" comely, not because of our inherent perfection, but because He has cleansed and adorned us with His righteousness, making us beautiful in His sight (Ephesians 5:25-27). This verse beautifully illustrates the active, pursuing love of Christ, who stands at the door and knocks, desiring to come in and fellowship with us (Revelation 3:20). He knows His sheep intimately, and His sheep hear His voice, responding to His loving call to draw near and commune with Him (John 10:27). Thus, Song of Solomon 2:14 becomes a tender invitation to embrace the intimate relationship Christ offers, knowing that our presence and prayers are truly delightful to Him.