TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn’t find him.
Geneva Bible (1599)
I will rise therefore nowe, and goe about in the citie, by the streetes and by the open places, and wil seeke him that my soule loueth: I sought him, but I found him not.
Young's Literal Translation
--Pray, let me rise, and go round the city, In the streets and in the broad places, I seek him whom my soul hath loved! --I sought him, and I found him not.
In the KJVVerse 17,574 of 31,102
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Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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Gregory of ElviraAD 392
EXPLANATION OF THE SONG OF SONGS 5:12
“In my mother’s house and in the chamber where she conceived me.” This is the voice of the church speaking. If the church is a mother to all, we must ask for the identity of the mother of the church, in whose house and in whose chamber she is said to have been conceived. I have already shown above what is the church, namely, the body of Christ that consists of his gathering members. The mother of the church, therefore, is the holy heavenly Jerusalem.
Gregory of ElviraAD 392
EXPLANATION OF THE SONG OF SONGS 5:2
To what does this bed refer, upon which the church seeks the one whom its soul loves, if not to the bed of its heart in which wisdom rests, where it seeks our Lord and Savior through continuous meditation? If the bed is the secrecy of the heart, then what is the night in which the church sought the Lord but was unable to find him? Surely it means that the God of light was not easily found in darkness.
Gregory of NyssaAD 395
HOMILIES ON THE SONG OF SONGS 6
The chamber is indeed the heart that becomes an acceptable dwelling of God when it returns to that state which it had in the beginning made by “her who conceived me.” We would be correct by understanding “mother” as the first cause of our being.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Concerning Virginity 8:45
Let us follow him by day, the present day of the church, which Abraham saw and was glad. This is why we follow Christ during the day; for he will not be found by night. “Upon my bed,” Scripture says, “by night I sought him whom my soul loves. I called him, but he gave no answer.”
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On Isaac and the Soul, 5.38, 42
"In my bed, I sought the one whom my soul loves during the nights." Whoever seeks well, let them seek in their bed, let them seek during the nights, neither on holidays nor on nights of rest. Let no time be vacant from the duty of piety; and if it does not find it at first, let it continue in seeking. ... And since we see heavenly mysteries prefigured in the Gospel on earth, let us come to that Mary, let us come also to Magdalene. Let us consider how they sought Christ in the bed of his body, in which he lay dead, on the nights when the angel said to them: You seek Jesus who was crucified; he is not here, for he has risen. Why, therefore, do you seek the living among the dead? What do you seek in the tomb of one who is already in heaven? What do you seek in the chains of universal imprisonment, who breaks the chains? This is not a tomb, but a dwelling place. Therefore, one of them said: I sought him, but did not find him.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Concerning Virginity 13:78
What is signified by the house of your mother and her chamber except the interior, secret place of your nature? Keep this house, and cleanse its inmost parts so that, once it is an immaculate house unstained by any sordidness of an adulterous conscience, a spiritual house held together by the cornerstone may rise into a holy priesthood, and the Holy Spirit may dwell in it. One who thus seeks Christ, who entreats him, is not abandoned by him. Rather, that one is frequently visited, for he is with us until the end of the world.
JeromeAD 420
HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS 26 (PSALM 98)
Happy the person in whose heart Jesus sets his feet every day! If only he would set his feet in my heart! If only his footsteps would cling to my heart forever! If only I may say with the spouse, “I took hold of him and would not let him go.”
Cyril of AlexandriaAD 444
FRAGMENTS IN THE COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS 3:1
“In my chamber by night I sought him.” This refers to the women who came at the beginning of the morning on the sabbath to the tomb of Jesus and did not find him. He is in the chamber, therefore, or away from the chamber. Or perhaps they call their chamber the Lord’s tomb because we are buried together with him. But when they did not find him, they heard at once: “He is not here, for he has been raised.” And they discovered guardian angels, whom they asked, “Where have you laid the Lord?” Then, when they had left the angels whom they were questioning, the Lord met them and said, “Rejoice.” For this reason, it says, “When I had passed by them for a little while, I found him whom I will not let go.” She grasped his feet and heard, “Don’t hold me.” Finally, he called the gathering of the apostles the house of the mother, to whom he announced the resurrection of Christ.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS 3
She says she found him and did not let him go before bringing him into her mother’s house and the inner chamber of the one who conceived her. By “city” she refers to the house of God, which we call church, by “marketplaces” and “streets” the divine Scriptures, by the city’s “watchmen” the holy prophets and the sacred apostles, from whom the pious soul learns in its longing for the divine Word. After these she finds the bridegroom attended by guards and attendants, she lays hold of him, clings to him and is reluctant to leave him before she brings him into her mother’s house and the inner chamber of the one who conceived her. Now, we recognize the mother of the pious as the Jerusalem on high, of whom blessed Paul says, “The Jerusalem on high is free in being mother of us all.”
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS 3
Since the bridegroom is incomprehensible in his being even to the holy angels, and hence they did not give me an answer to my question, teaching me by their silence that he is incomprehensible even to them, the uncreated to created beings, I left them as well, still searching for my beloved.“It was not long after passing them that I found him whom my soul loved. I laid hold of him.” I had scarcely bypassed the creature to reach the angelic nature itself in an effort to find my uncreated beloved, my benefactor as he is, when by faith alone I came upon him, bypassing all beings and with the confirmation from experience itself that the one responsible for everything is above all beings and in his being is seen by no nature, of the senses or the intellect, being superior to them in substance.
Gregory the DialogistAD 604
FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 25
We seek the one we love upon our beds when we sigh with longing for our Redeemer during our short period of rest during the present life. We seek him during the night, because even though our hearts are already watchful for him, our eyes are still darkened. But it remains for the person who does not find the one he loves to rise and go about the city, that is, he must travel about the holy church of the elect with an inquiring heart. He must seek her through its streets and squares, making his way, that is, through narrow and broad places, on the watch to make inquiries if any traces of her can be found in them, because there are some, even of those leading worldly lives, who have something worth imitating of virtue in their actions. The watchmen who guard the city find us as we search, because the holy fathers who guard the church’s orthodoxy come to meet our good efforts, to teach us, by their words of their writings. Scarcely have we passed them by when we find him whom we love. Although in his humility our Redeemer was a human being in the midst of human beings, in his divinity he was above human beings. Therefore once the watchmen have been passed by, the beloved is found.
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 3:2 vividly portrays the Shulamite woman's intense and urgent nocturnal search for her beloved throughout the city. Driven by a profound, all-encompassing love that emanates from her very being, she actively seeks him in public thoroughfares. Despite her determined efforts and deep yearning, her immediate attempts are met with the distress of not finding him, underscoring the depth of her affection and the poignant pain of his temporary absence.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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 and later in Song of Solomon 5:6. 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, fostering a resilient faith that trusts in ultimate discovery.
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
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. 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 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, 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, for He is faithful. He is the true Bridegroom who passionately pursues His Church, His beloved, and who promises that He will never leave nor forsake us. 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.