Song Of Solomon 3:2

KJV

I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will rise {H6965} now, and go about {H5437} the city {H5892} in the streets {H7784}, and in the broad ways {H7339} I will seek {H1245} him whom my soul {H5315} loveth {H157}: I sought {H1245} him, but I found {H4672} him not.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I will get up now and roam the city, through the streets and the open places, I will look for the man I love." I looked for him, but I didn't find him.

Berean Standard Bible

I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him.

American Standard Version

I said, I will rise now, and go about the city; In the streets and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 3:2 portrays the Shulamite woman's intense and urgent nocturnal search for her beloved throughout the city. Driven by a profound and all-encompassing love, she actively seeks him in public spaces, yet her immediate efforts are met with the distress of not finding him, underscoring the depth of her affection and the pain of his temporary absence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a vivid dream sequence or allegorical narrative recounted by the Shulamite in [Song of Solomon 3:1-5](/song_of_solomon/3-1 "Song of Solomon 3:1-5 - The Shulamite's Night Search"). It echoes an earlier expression of longing and search in [Song of Solomon 1:7](/song_of_solomon/1-7 "Song of Solomon 1:7 - Shulamite's Earlier Longing") and foreshadows a more intense and detailed nocturnal quest later in [Song of Solomon 5:6](/song_of_solomon/5-6 "Song of Solomon 5:6 - Another Night Search"). These recurring "night search" motifs within the Song serve to emphasize the intensity of the lovers' bond, the emotional turmoil experienced during periods of separation, and the persistent nature of their desire for intimacy and reunion, often symbolizing the dynamic ebb and flow of their relationship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, and particularly in Israel, a woman venturing out alone into the city streets at night, especially in "broad ways" (public squares or main thoroughfares), would have been highly unconventional and potentially hazardous. This detail powerfully underscores the extraordinary desperation and singular focus of the Shulamite's search; her profound love and yearning override typical social boundaries and concerns for personal safety. The "city" (`ʻîyr`) and its public "streets" (`shûwq`) and "broad ways" (`rᵉchôb`) represent the public sphere, making her deeply private and intimate quest a remarkably public display of devotion. This setting is also common in ancient love poetry, where urban landscapes often serve as backdrops for expressions of yearning and pursuit.
* **Key Themes:** Song of Solomon 3:2 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book. Firstly, it highlights the **Passionate Pursuit** of the beloved, demonstrating an active, urgent, and comprehensive effort to overcome separation. Secondly, the phrase "him whom my soul loveth" emphasizes the **Profound Affection** and whole-person devotion, indicating a love that permeates her very being, not merely a fleeting emotion. Thirdly, the concluding lament, "I sought him, but I found him not," conveys the **Pain of Absence** and the distress accompanying separation from the cherished one, intensifying the yearning for reunion. Allegorically, these themes resonate with the believer's **Spiritual Seeking** for God's presence and intimacy, even when He seems distant, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 29:13](/jeremiah/29-13 "Jeremiah 29:13 - Seeking God with All Your Heart") or [Psalm 42:1-2](/psalm/42-1 "Psalm 42:1-2 - Thirsting for God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **seek (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** This primitive root (H1245) signifies a diligent, purposeful, and earnest search, often implying a striving after something with intent. It is not a casual glance but a determined quest, sometimes even in the context of worship or prayer, emphasizing the Shulamite's focused and intense effort to find her beloved.
* **loveth (Hebrew, _ʼâhab'_):** This root (H157) denotes having deep affection, whether sexual or otherwise. In this context, it speaks to a profound, intimate, and all-encompassing love that defines the Shulamite's relationship with her beloved, extending beyond mere liking to a deep emotional and personal bond that permeates her entire being.
* **soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** Far more than just the emotional part, _nephesh_ (H5315) refers to the entire breathing creature, the vitality, the very being of a person. When the Shulamite says "my soul loveth," it conveys a love that encompasses her whole person—her mind, will, and emotions—a total devotion that drives her desperate search.
* **found (Hebrew, _mâtsâʼ'_):** This root (H4672) means to come forth to, appear, exist, or to attain/acquire. Its negative usage here, "found him not," highlights the immediate failure of her earnest search, emphasizing the distress and unfulfilled longing of her current state despite her fervent efforts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways":** This opening clause reveals the Shulamite's immediate and decisive action. "Rising" signifies a determined resolve, while "going about the city in the streets and broad ways" indicates a comprehensive, public, and perhaps desperate search. The use of "now" emphasizes the urgency of her quest, driven by an overwhelming desire that compels her to disregard conventional boundaries.
* **"I will seek him whom my soul loveth":** This clause explicitly states the object and profound motivation of her search. The phrase "whom my soul loveth" underscores the deep, whole-person affection she has for her beloved, indicating that her pursuit is born out of the deepest part of her being. It's a love that permeates her entire existence, making his absence unbearable.
* **"I sought him, but I found him not":** The concluding lament introduces a poignant note of unfulfilled longing and distress. Despite her earnest and comprehensive efforts ("I sought him"), her immediate attempt is unsuccessful ("but I found him not"). This temporary failure intensifies the sense of yearning and highlights the pain of separation, setting the stage for continued, more desperate pursuit.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 3:2 employs several powerful literary devices. The entire passage (Song of Solomon 3:1-5) is widely interpreted as a **dream vision** or an **allegorical narrative**, allowing for the exploration of intense emotions and spiritual truths in a symbolic rather than strictly literal manner. This device permits the Shulamite to act in ways that might be socially unconventional (searching alone at night) to emphasize the depth and urgency of her passion. The "night search" itself is a prominent **motif** within the Song, appearing earlier in [Song of Solomon 1:7](/song_of_solomon/1-7 "Song of Solomon 1:7 - Shulamite's Earlier Longing") and later in [Song of Solomon 5:6](/song_of_solomon/5-6 "Song of Solomon 5:6 - Another Night Search"). This recurring pattern underscores the persistent nature of her longing and the cyclical dynamic of seeking and finding, or temporarily losing and then reuniting. There is also a subtle **juxtaposition** between the Shulamite's determined action ("I will rise... and go about... I will seek") and the immediate, frustrating outcome ("I found him not"). This contrast heightens the emotional impact, emphasizing the distress and unfulfilled desire despite her fervent efforts. Furthermore, her willingness to search "in the streets, and in the broad ways" can be seen as a form of **hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of her search to convey the overwhelming nature of her love and desperation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while a declaration of human love, holds profound theological resonance. It speaks to the universal human experience of longing for connection and the spiritual journey of seeking God. The Shulamite's active, persistent, and whole-hearted search mirrors the biblical call for believers to earnestly pursue God's presence and truth, especially in seasons where His presence might feel elusive. It underscores that true intimacy with the Divine often requires diligent effort and unwavering devotion, reminding us that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. This pursuit is not always immediately fruitful, but the very act of seeking deepens our desire and prepares us for ultimate communion.

* [Jeremiah 29:13](/jeremiah/29-13 "Jeremiah 29:13 - Seeking God with All Your Heart")
* [Matthew 7:7](/matthew/7-7 "Matthew 7:7 - Ask, Seek, Knock")
* [Psalm 63:1](/psalm/63-1 "Psalm 63:1 - Thirsting for God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Shulamite's passionate pursuit in Song of Solomon 3:2 serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual walk. In a world filled with distractions and competing affections, this verse challenges us to cultivate a similar urgency and intentionality in our relationship with God. It reminds us that spiritual growth and intimacy are not passive experiences but require active seeking, diligent prayer, consistent engagement with His Word, and a willingness to step outside our comfort zones. Furthermore, it acknowledges that there will be seasons of spiritual dryness or perceived absence, times when God may feel distant or answers to prayer are not immediately apparent. Yet, it calls us to persevere through these times, trusting that our earnest seeking, born out of a soul-deep love, will ultimately lead to finding and deeper communion. Her unwavering devotion, even in absence, encourages us to deepen our own commitment to Christ, making His presence our ultimate and most cherished desire.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "seeking God" actively look like in your daily life, and how can you increase your intentionality in this pursuit?**
* **How do you typically respond when God feels distant or when your prayers seem unanswered? What can you learn from the Shulamite's perseverance?**
* **What is the "beloved" that your soul truly longs for above all else? Is it Christ, or are there other desires that compete for your deepest affection?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse a literal account or a dream?**

Answer: While the Song of Solomon often blurs the lines between literal narrative and poetic expression, this particular passage (Song of Solomon 3:1-5) is widely interpreted by scholars as a **dream sequence** or a **vision**. The Shulamite's ability to roam the city alone at night, encountering watchmen, and the somewhat disjointed nature of the events, suggest a dreamlike quality rather than a strictly literal historical event. This allows the author to express profound emotional and spiritual truths through symbolic action, emphasizing the intensity of her longing and the depth of her love for her beloved without being constrained by literal realism.

**What is the significance of "not finding him" immediately?**

Answer: The Shulamite's initial failure to find her beloved ("I sought him, but I found him not") is a crucial element that heightens the emotional tension and underscores the depth of her yearning. This temporary absence serves several purposes: it intensifies her desire, highlights the value of his presence, and sets the stage for her continued, more desperate search that eventually leads to reunion. Theologically, it can symbolize seasons in a believer's life where God's presence feels hidden or distant, prompting a more earnest and persistent pursuit, as seen in [Psalm 27:8](/psalm/27-8 "Psalm 27:8 - Seeking God's Face"). It's not a sign of God's permanent absence, but a catalyst for deeper seeking and a reminder that true intimacy often requires perseverance through perceived trials.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Shulamite's fervent search for her beloved in Song of Solomon 3:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the believer's passionate pursuit of Jesus Christ. Just as her soul "loveth" her beloved with a total, encompassing affection, so too is the Christian called to love the [Lord Jesus Christ](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commandments") with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Her active "rising" and "seeking" through the city streets mirrors the spiritual journey of diligently seeking Christ, whether through prayer, devoted study of [God's Word](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word was God"), or committed fellowship, even when His presence might feel elusive. The temporary "not finding him" echoes the periods of spiritual dryness or testing that believers may experience, yet it ultimately points to the promise that those who earnestly [seek Jesus will find Him](/matthew/7-7 "Matthew 7:7 - Ask, Seek, Knock"), for He is faithful. He is the [true Bridegroom](/john/3-29 "John 3:29 - The Bridegroom and His Friend") who passionately pursues His Church, His beloved, and who promises that He will [never leave nor forsake us](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - I will never leave you nor forsake you"). Our longing for Him is a reflection of His prior longing for us, culminating in the eternal union promised in the [marriage supper of the Lamb](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7 - Marriage Supper of the Lamb").

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

Romans 13:11

¶ And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Psalms 43:2

For thou [art] the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Psalms 43:5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

Proverbs 8:2

She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

Proverbs 8:3

She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

Psalms 42:7

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

Psalms 42:9

I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?