TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.
Geneva Bible (1599)
I charge you, O daughters of Ierusalem, by the roes and by the hindes of the fielde, that ye stirre not vp, nor waken my loue vntill she please.
Young's Literal Translation
I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes or by the hinds of the field, Stir not up nor wake the love till she please!
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Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, etc. If we look at the preceding verses, we will not find in them that the bride reached rest or sleep, but rather that, leaping from the bed, with the greatest effort of searching, she reached the discovery of her beloved. And how now does the same beloved adjure the daughters of Jerusalem not to awaken her, nor to cause her to wake, unless perhaps because the soul, as though tranquil in the most blessed sleep, knows how to rest in divine love? Just as someone sleeping has closed the bodily eyes to external things and has often opened the eyes of the heart in the vision of hidden things; so indeed, the mind given to the love of heavenly matters withdraws from the concerns of the visible, so that it may keep watch more perfectly and freely in the contemplation of the invisible. And it is no wonder that love is compared to sleep, for it averts the sense of the mind from the desire for the visible and turns it to the desire for the invisible, just as it is compared even to death, with the same song saying, “Love is as strong as death”: because just as death destroys the body, so too does the brilliance of internal life extinguish external delights. Hence, it is rightly that the daughters of Jerusalem are adjured, that is, the souls of the faithful, sighing with an anxious mind for the companionship of the heavenly citizens, not to awaken the beloved, that is, not to hinder a mind devoted to God from the intention of heavenly desire with an untimely interruption. This too can rightly be understood concerning the general state of the Church, whose peace to disturb is to oppose the will of Christ: concerning whom, as enough has already been said above, now it may suffice to speak more sparingly. Let the reader remember only this, that for this reason the verse is repeated in the song of love so that the Lord may signify that He has no less care for the Church gathered from the gentiles than for that gathered from the Jews, but He bears equal concern for the peace of both, as both are united in His singular most beloved house and family. Once upon a time, Judaea believed that it was alone loved by God, that the word of salvation was entrusted only to itself, not also to the uncircumcised gentiles, as evidenced by Luke, who says: “And the apostles and brethren who were in Judaea heard that the gentiles also had received the word of God. When Peter had come to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?’ ” Also, in another place, “On the next Sabbath, almost the whole city came together to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy; and contradicted the things spoken by Paul” (Acts XI). Hence, the adjuration of the daughters of Jerusalem not to awaken the beloved can also rightly be taken to mean that He commands those who had gone ahead in faith from the Jews not to trouble those or contradict the salvation of those who had come to faith from the gentiles. Where also, what He says, “Until she pleases”, can be understood in this way, that the Church from the gentiles would of its own accord submit itself to watchings and labors for the Lord. Therefore, it is next added that the same daughters of Jerusalem are astonished because the grace of the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the nations.
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 3:5 presents a tender yet solemn adjuration from the Shulamite woman to the "daughters of Jerusalem," imploring them not to disturb or awaken her beloved until he is ready. This recurring refrain underscores the profound sacredness, inherent delicacy, and intrinsic timing of true love, emphasizing that genuine affection and intimacy should be allowed to unfold organically and not be forced, rushed, or manipulated by external pressures or impatient desires. It serves as a protective plea, safeguarding the peace, purity, and natural progression of the relationship, allowing love to blossom in its own divinely appointed season.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 3:5 is rich in Symbolism. The "roes" and "hinds of the field" serve as powerful symbols for the delicate, beautiful, and easily startled nature of love and intimacy. By swearing an oath by these creatures, the Shulamite imbues her plea with a sense of natural purity, vulnerability, and the necessity of allowing love to unfold organically without disturbance. The phrase "my love" is an example of Metonymy or Synecdoche, where "love" stands in for the beloved himself, or more broadly, the deep affection and relationship shared between them, making the plea deeply personal and emotionally resonant. The entire verse functions as a Refrain, its precise repetition throughout the Song (2:7, 8:4) emphasizing its thematic importance and creating a rhythmic, almost incantatory quality that underscores the central message of patience, respect for timing, and the sacredness of love's undisturbed progression. The Adjuration itself is a strong rhetorical device, elevating the Shulamite's words from a mere request to a solemn, binding command, highlighting the profound value and protective instinct she places on the undisturbed development of her relationship.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Song of Solomon 3:5 transcends a simple romantic plea, offering profound theological insights into the nature of divine timing, the sanctity of relationships, and the importance of allowing God's will to unfold naturally. The Shulamite's patient waiting for her beloved's pleasure mirrors the believer's call to wait on the Lord, trusting His perfect timing and sovereign plan for every aspect of life. Just as forcing intimacy or rushing commitment can damage a human relationship, so too can attempting to rush God's purposes or conjure spiritual experiences outside of His leading lead to spiritual immaturity, burnout, or brokenness. This verse teaches that true love, whether human or divine, is not coerced but freely given and received, flourishing in an environment of respect, patience, and mutual readiness. It speaks to the wisdom of allowing things to develop organically, under God's watchful eye, rather than succumbing to the pressures of immediate gratification, societal expectations, or our own impatient desires. It underscores that genuine spiritual growth and relational depth are cultivated through patient trust and surrender to the right season.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 3:5 offers timeless wisdom for navigating relationships and life's journey with profound patience and discerning respect. In a world that relentlessly pressures us towards instant gratification, hurried decisions, and the immediate fulfillment of desires, this verse calls us to embrace a counter-cultural posture of deliberate waiting. It challenges us to reflect deeply on how we approach significant life decisions—whether in romantic relationships, career pursuits, spiritual growth, or personal development—asking if we are truly allowing God's timing and the natural, organic unfolding of events, or if we are attempting to "stir up" outcomes prematurely through manipulation, impatience, or unhealthy pressure. For those in romantic relationships, it serves as a powerful reminder to honor boundaries, cultivate mutual readiness, and allow love to deepen authentically without external or internal coercion, fostering an environment of trust and genuine desire. Spiritually, it encourages a deep and abiding trust in God's sovereignty, reminding us that His perfect plans unfold beautifully in their own time, and that our role is often to wait patiently and faithfully, cultivating a heart of surrender, rather than to force or manipulate circumstances to align with our own timeline. This verse invites us to rest in the peace of God's perfect timing, knowing that true beauty and fulfillment emerge from patient cultivation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "daughters of Jerusalem" in this verse?
Answer: The "daughters of Jerusalem" likely represent the young women of the city or the royal court who are observing the Shulamite's relationship. They serve as a symbolic audience to whom the Shulamite addresses her solemn adjuration. By charging them, she is not only speaking to specific individuals but also to the broader societal pressures, expectations, or even well-meaning but ill-timed advice that could potentially disturb the delicate nature of her love. Her plea is a public declaration of the sacred boundaries around her private intimacy, emphasizing that even well-intentioned interference can be detrimental to the organic development of a relationship, much like the wisdom found in Proverbs 13:10.
Why does the Shulamite swear "by the roes, and by the hinds of the field"?
Answer: Swearing by these specific animals—roes (gazelles) and hinds (female deer)—is highly symbolic and culturally resonant. These creatures are known for their beauty, grace, swiftness, and most importantly, their skittishness and vulnerability; they are easily startled and flee when disturbed. By invoking them in an oath, the Shulamite emphasizes the precious, delicate, and easily disturbed nature of genuine love and intimacy. It's a poetic and powerful way of conveying that love, like these wild, free creatures, thrives when left undisturbed and allowed to develop naturally, and that to force or rush it would be to harm or frighten it away. This imagery reinforces the theme of patience, respect for natural processes, and the protection of intimacy, echoing the beauty of creation seen in Psalm 8:3-4.
What does "till he please" mean in the context of this verse?
Answer: The phrase "till he please" (H2654, châphêts) is crucial, as it signifies the beloved's autonomous will, intrinsic desire, or readiness. It means that the awakening or full expression of their love and intimacy should not be initiated by external pressure, societal expectations, or even the Shulamite's own longing, but only when it is the beloved's own intrinsic pleasure, delight, or will to do so. This highlights the paramount importance of mutual consent, readiness, and the organic unfolding of intimacy in a healthy relationship. It underscores that true love is not coerced but blossoms when both parties are truly prepared and desirous, emphasizing respect for individual timing and autonomy within the relationship, as seen in the mutual delight described in Song of Solomon 7:10.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 3:5, with its profound emphasis on patient waiting and the sacred timing of love, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ and His intimate relationship with His Church. Just as the Shulamite protects her beloved's peace until "he please," so too does the divine Bridegroom, Christ, patiently await the full consummation of His relationship with His bride, the Church. His first advent was a demonstration of His profound and unforced love, but His promised return, the ultimate "awakening" of the new creation and the final establishment of His kingdom, will occur in God's perfect, sovereign timing, "when he please" (Matthew 24:36). The Church is therefore called to a posture of patient expectation, not rushing the eschatological fulfillment but faithfully living out her calling and mission while awaiting His glorious return (Revelation 22:20). Furthermore, Christ Himself perfectly embodies the unforced, freely given love described in this verse. His love for humanity was not coerced but flowed from His divine nature (John 15:13), and He patiently draws hearts to Himself, never forcing a relationship but inviting a willing, Spirit-empowered response (Revelation 3:20). The delicate nature of love, symbolized by the roes and hinds, also points to the preciousness and vulnerability of our spiritual intimacy with Christ, which must be nurtured and protected from the world's distractions, our own impatience, and the schemes of the enemy, allowing Him to lead and awaken us to deeper communion in His perfect time and according to His perfect will (Philippians 3:10).