Song Of Solomon 2:7

KJV

I 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

I charge {H7650} you, O ye daughters {H1323} of Jerusalem {H3389}, by the roes {H6643}, and {H176} by the hinds {H355} of the field {H7704}, that ye stir not up {H5782}, nor awake {H5782} my love {H160}, till he please {H2654}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I warn you, daughters of Yerushalayim, by the gazelles and deer in the wilds, not to awaken or stir up love until it wants to arise!

Berean Standard Bible

O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 2:7 presents a solemn adjuration from the Shulamite woman to the "daughters of Jerusalem," imploring them not to awaken or disturb her love until it is ready to stir itself. This recurring charge, central to the book's message, underscores the sacred, delicate, and inherently personal nature of true affection, emphasizing the necessity of patience and divine timing in the blossoming of deep relational intimacy, whether human or divine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is one of three identical charges uttered by the Shulamite throughout the Song of Solomon, appearing again in [Song of Solomon 3:5](/song_of_solomon/3-5 "Song of Solomon 3:5 - The Second Charge") and [Song of Solomon 8:4](/song_of_solomon/8-4 "Song of Solomon 8:4 - The Final Charge"). Positioned early in the narrative, following expressions of mutual longing and delight (e.g., [Song of Solomon 2:1-6](/song_of_solomon/2 "Song of Solomon 2 - The Lovers' Delight")), this first charge marks a pivotal moment where the beloved seeks to protect the nascent, tender intimacy she shares with her lover. The "daughters of Jerusalem" function as a chorus or a group of confidantes, representing an external perspective or perhaps even the reader, to whom the Shulamite imparts this profound wisdom about the sanctity and natural progression of love. The repetition of the charge emphasizes its crucial importance to the overall message of the Song.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Song of Solomon is set in an ancient Near Eastern context, where love poetry often celebrated the beauty of nature and the human form. The imagery of "roes" and "hinds of the field" is deeply rooted in the pastoral landscape of ancient Israel. These animals (gazelles and female deer) were prized for their grace, beauty, and, significantly, their shy and easily startled nature. Their inclusion in the adjuration would immediately evoke a sense of fragility and vulnerability to an ancient audience. Jerusalem, as the capital, represents the urban, cultured setting, contrasting with the wild, untamed "field" where these delicate creatures roam, thus highlighting the preciousness of a love that transcends societal pressures and flourishes in its natural, unforced state. This cultural understanding reinforces the idea that genuine love, like these animals, thrives best when undisturbed and allowed to develop organically.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme of this verse is the **sacredness of love and the importance of its natural timing**. The Shulamite's plea highlights that authentic love cannot be coerced, rushed, or artificially stimulated; it must awaken and mature according to its own internal rhythm, "till he please." This speaks to the **virtue of patience** in relationships, advocating for emotional and physical intimacy to develop genuinely and without external pressure. Furthermore, the imagery of easily startled animals emphasizes the **delicacy and vulnerability of true affection**, suggesting that it must be guarded and respected to preserve its purity and beauty. This theme resonates with broader biblical principles regarding the sanctity of marriage and the wisdom of waiting for God's perfect timing in all aspects of life, as seen in passages like [Ecclesiastes 3:1-8](/ecclesiastes/3 "Ecclesiastes 3 - A Time for Everything").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Charge (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** From H7650, this word means "to swear, to take an oath, to adjure." It signifies a solemn and binding appeal, not merely a casual request. The Shulamite is not just asking but making a profound, almost covenantal, demand, underscoring the gravity and importance of her plea regarding the sanctity of love.
* **Daughters of Jerusalem (Hebrew, _bath Yᵉrûwshâlaim'_):** H1323 (daughter) and H3389 (Jerusalem). "Daughter" (bath) denotes a female descendant or inhabitant, often used in a collective sense. "Jerusalem" refers to the capital city. Together, "daughters of Jerusalem" likely refers to the young women of the court or city, serving as a chorus or audience to the Shulamite's declarations, representing those who might be tempted to interfere or rush the natural course of love.
* **Love (Hebrew, _ʼahăbâh'_):** H160, meaning "affection (in a good or bad sense); love." In this context, it refers to the deep, passionate, and exclusive affection between the Shulamite and her beloved. The use of "my love" (literally "my affection" or "my beloved") personalizes the plea, indicating the profound intimacy being protected.
* **Stir not up, nor awake (Hebrew, _ʻûwr'_):** H5782, meaning "to wake (literally or figuratively); to rouse, incite, or disturb." The repetition emphasizes the strong prohibition against any action that would prematurely or artificially ignite passion or interfere with the natural unfolding of love. It suggests that love, like a sleeping creature, should be allowed to awaken on its own terms.
* **Till he please (Hebrew, _châphêts'_):** H2654, meaning "to incline to; to be pleased with, desire." This phrase is crucial, indicating that the awakening of love should be entirely volitional and spontaneous, arising from the beloved's own desire and readiness, rather than being forced or manipulated by external pressures or premature actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,"**: The Shulamite initiates a solemn adjuration, addressing a specific audience—the young women of the city. This address sets a serious tone, indicating the profound importance of the message she is about to convey.
* **"by the roes, and by the hinds of the field,"**: The adjuration is made by invoking these specific animals. This is a form of oath, where the speaker calls upon something precious or sacred as a witness or guarantor of their solemnity. The roes and hinds, known for their beauty, grace, and skittish nature, symbolize the delicate, easily startled, and precious quality of the love being discussed.
* **"that ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love,"**: This is the core prohibition. The Shulamite forbids any action that would prematurely rouse or incite her love. The double negative ("stir not up, nor awake") intensifies the command, emphasizing the absolute necessity of allowing love to remain undisturbed in its natural state of rest or slumber.
* **"till he please."**: This crucial clause defines the condition under which love *should* awaken. It must be at the beloved's own volition, when he is ready and desires it. This highlights the organic, unforced nature of true love, which cannot be manufactured or rushed but must arise from genuine readiness and mutual desire.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 2:7 masterfully employs several **Literary Devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Adjuration**, where the Shulamite makes a solemn oath, "I charge you," invoking sacred or powerful entities ("by the roes, and by the hinds of the field") to underscore the gravity of her command. This elevates the plea beyond a mere request to a binding, almost ritualistic, prohibition. Secondly, **Symbolism** and **Imagery** are central, with the "roes" (gazelles) and "hinds" (female deer) serving as potent symbols. These animals are renowned for their grace, beauty, and, crucially, their shyness and easily startled nature. They represent the delicate, pure, and vulnerable quality of true love, which, like these creatures, can be easily frightened or damaged if disturbed prematurely. The contrast between the urban "daughters of Jerusalem" and the wild "field" further enhances this imagery, emphasizing the natural, untamed essence of genuine affection. Finally, the **Repetition** of this exact charge three times throughout the Song (2:7, 3:5, 8:4) functions as a **Leitmotif**, serving to punctuate the narrative and reinforce the central theological and practical message about the sanctity of love's timing and its precious, unforced nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Song of Solomon 2:7, with its tender yet firm admonition, offers profound theological insights into the nature of love, timing, and divine sovereignty. It teaches that true love, whether human or divine, is not something to be manipulated or forced but rather a sacred gift that unfolds according to its own intrinsic rhythm and, ultimately, God's perfect timing. This principle extends beyond romantic relationships to our spiritual walk, reminding us that genuine spiritual growth and revelation often require patient waiting on the Lord, trusting His wisdom to awaken and reveal truth "till He please." The verse implicitly affirms that God, as the author of love and time, orchestrates the beautiful unfolding of all things, including the deepest human affections. It calls believers to cultivate a posture of patient surrender, recognizing that the most profound blessings emerge not from human striving but from divine orchestration and readiness.

* [Ecclesiastes 3:1-8](/ecclesiastes/3-1 "Ecclesiastes 3 - A Time for Everything")
* [1 Corinthians 13:4-7](/1_corinthians/13-4 "1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - The Nature of Love")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Honoring Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 2:7 provides timeless wisdom for navigating relationships and life with intentionality and reverence. It challenges us to resist the cultural pressures that often rush intimacy or demand immediate gratification. For those in romantic relationships, it's a call to cultivate patience, allowing emotional and physical closeness to develop organically and authentically, honoring the sacred space of another's heart and body. It reminds us that true love is built on a foundation of respect, trust, and mutual readiness, not on external expectations or artificial stimulation. Spiritually, this verse encourages a deep trust in God's perfect timing for our lives. Just as the Shulamite waits for her beloved to "please," we are called to wait patiently for God's will to unfold, for His promises to be realized, and for His Spirit to awaken us to deeper truths in His perfect time. It fosters a posture of surrender, recognizing that God's plans are always for our good and that His timing is impeccable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to "stir up" or rush outcomes, rather than waiting for God's timing?**
* **How can the imagery of the roes and hinds inform your understanding of the delicacy and preciousness of love and relationships?**
* **What does it mean to allow love (both human and divine) to awaken "till he please" in your own life?**
* **How can you cultivate greater patience and trust in God's sovereign plan for your relationships and future?**

### FAQ

**What is the meaning of "daughters of Jerusalem" in this verse?**

Answer: The "daughters of Jerusalem" (H1323, H3389) are typically understood as the young women of the royal court or the city, acting as a chorus or a group of confidantes to the Shulamite woman. They serve as an audience to whom the Shulamite addresses her solemn charge. In a broader sense, they can represent anyone who might be tempted to interfere with, or prematurely influence, the natural and sacred development of love, whether in a romantic relationship or in a spiritual context. Their presence highlights the public nature of the Shulamite's declaration, making it a universal principle.

**Why does the Shulamite invoke "the roes, and by the hinds of the field" in her charge?**

Answer: The invocation of "the roes" (H6643, gazelles) and "the hinds" (H355, female deer) serves as a solemn oath or adjuration. These animals were known in the ancient Near East for their beauty, grace, and, significantly, their shy and easily startled nature. By swearing by them, the Shulamite emphasizes the precious, delicate, and vulnerable quality of the love she wishes to protect. Just as these creatures are easily frightened and disturbed, so too is true love susceptible to harm if it is rushed, forced, or interfered with before its natural and desired awakening. This imagery reinforces the need for patience and respect for love's organic unfolding.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 2:7, while a beautiful expression of human love, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the relationship between Christ and His Church. The "love" that the Shulamite protects, waiting "till he please," foreshadows the sacred and patient love of Christ for His bride, the Church. Just as the beloved desires an unforced, pure affection, so Christ patiently cultivates His relationship with believers, drawing them to Himself not through coercion but through the gentle awakening of the Spirit. The Church, as the Bride of Christ, is called to wait patiently for the consummation of this divine romance, the ultimate marriage supper of the Lamb (e.g., [Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")). Christ's love is not impulsive but perfectly timed, demonstrated in His sacrificial death at the appointed time (e.g., [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")) and His patient return. The "stir not up, nor awake my love" can be seen as a call for the Church to remain pure and faithful, not seeking to rush or force God's hand, but to patiently abide in His love (e.g., [John 15:9-10](/john/15-9 "John 15:9-10 - Abiding in Christ's Love")) until the day of ultimate union when He, our true Bridegroom, pleases to gather His own (e.g., [Matthew 25:1-13](/matthew/25-1 "Matthew 25:1-13 - Parable of the Ten Virgins")). The delicacy of love in the Song points to the preciousness of our relationship with Christ, which must be nurtured and protected from worldly distractions and premature desires, allowing His perfect plan to unfold.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Song Of Solomon 3:5

I 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.

Song Of Solomon 8:4

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, until he please.

Song Of Solomon 1:5

I [am] black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

Song Of Solomon 5:8

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I [am] sick of love.

Song Of Solomon 5:9

¶ What [is] thy beloved more than [another] beloved, O thou fairest among women? what [is] thy beloved more than [another] beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

Proverbs 5:19

[Let her be as] the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

Ephesians 5:22

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.