TRV
Translation
King James Version
The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.
Complete Jewish Bible
The watchmen roaming the city found me; they beat me, they wounded me; they took away my cloak, those guardians of the walls!
Berean Standard Bible
I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city. They beat me and bruised me; they took away my cloak, those guardians of the walls.
American Standard Version
The watchmen that go about the city found me, They smote me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls took away my mantle from me.
World English Bible Messianic
The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.
Geneva Bible (1599)
The watchmen that went about the citie, founde me: they smote me and wounded me: the watchmen of the walles tooke away my vaile from me.
Young's Literal Translation
The watchmen who go round about the city, Found me, smote me, wounded me, Keepers of the walls lifted up my veil from off me.
See also
In the KJVVerse 17,606 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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
The keepers of the walls took my cloak from me. The keepers of the walls are also the highest teachers, as they strive to also instruct those capable of governing and fortifying the Church. I believe Timothy, Titus, and others like them, the laborers of truth, were the walls of God's city; and Paul, when he gives them exhortatory commands, what else is he to be understood as but a keeper of the walls? For he showed himself to be a keeper of the city, which he diligently went around, when he enumerated his virtues saying: Besides those things which are external, the daily pressure that is on me—my concern for all the churches (2 Cor. 11). He also taught that he was a keeper of the walls when he said to Timothy: But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Tim. 4), and similar instructions. And to Titus: For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you (Tit. 1). The keepers of the walls take the cloak of the bride who is struck and wounded, when apostles or apostolic men, touched by divine love, take away the ties of passing things from any soul, so that, freed from lower cares, it may seek its Creator’s face with freer course. For the cloak is the same, which is over the tunic; where he says: I have taken off my tunic, signifying the entanglements of earthly matters.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
The watchmen found me, etc. The watchmen who go about the city are the holy teachers to whom the care of the Church has been entrusted so that they may protect it from the attack of depraved doctrines, both by word and example, and may kindle ever more the fear and love of their Creator. These indeed go about the city because in all the places of the holy Church, spread out everywhere throughout the whole world, their bodily presence and living voice, or the doctrine inserted in writings or work, is found. They find the bride weary from seeking her beloved, and they strike and wound her because they inflame more with the word of their teaching the soul found anxious with heavenly love; and whenever they discover anything earthly remaining in it, they extinguish it and render it insensible to all lower things, as if wounding by striking: for when the Apostle, describing the armor of God, says: And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. VI); is it any wonder if one touched by this sword is said to be struck and wounded? For with this stroke of the sword, a wound is received, of which it is said elsewhere, I am wounded with love.
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 5:7 powerfully depicts the Shulamite's distressing encounter with the city watchmen as she desperately searches for her absent beloved. Having delayed in opening the door for him, she ventures into the urban night only to be met with unexpected violence and public humiliation from those who should have been her protectors. This dramatic incident underscores the profound vulnerability and potential suffering inherent in a fervent pursuit of love, whether human or divine, and the painful consequences that can sometimes follow spiritual hesitation or apathy.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse marks a pivotal and jarring moment within a dream-like sequence that dominates Song of Solomon chapter 5. It immediately follows the Bride's deep regret and longing after she finally rises to open the door for her Beloved, only to find he has departed (Song of Solomon 5:6). Her subsequent desperate search leads her into the dangerous urban environment at night. This encounter with the watchmen stands in stark contrast to her earlier, more benign interaction with them in Song of Solomon 3:3, where they merely "found her" and she inquired about her beloved without harm. Here, their actions are aggressive, humiliating, and physically damaging, marking a significant escalation in the challenges she faces in her pursuit. This painful episode serves to intensify her longing and sets the stage for her passionate and detailed declaration of her Beloved's perfections in the verses that immediately follow (Song of Solomon 5:10-16).
Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Near Eastern cities, watchmen (Hebrew: shomerim, from shâmar) were indispensable figures responsible for maintaining order, protecting citizens, and guarding the city walls and gates, especially during the vulnerable hours of night. Their designated role was one of security, vigilance, and public safety. For a woman, particularly a respectable one, to be out alone at night in the city streets was highly unusual and would have rendered her extremely vulnerable to suspicion and danger. The veil (Hebrew: radîyd) was a significant garment in ancient Israelite culture, symbolizing a woman's modesty, honor, and often her marital status. Its removal in public, especially by force, was an act of profound disgrace and humiliation, stripping a woman of her dignity, exposing her to shame, and potentially implying illicit behavior. This cultural understanding amplifies the severity of the watchmen's actions, transforming them from trusted protectors into aggressors who inflict not only physical harm but also profound social and emotional degradation.
Key Themes: Song of Solomon 5:7 contributes powerfully to several overarching themes within the book and its broader theological interpretations. Firstly, it highlights the theme of unexpected opposition and suffering in the fervent pursuit of love or spiritual devotion. The watchmen, typically figures of protection, paradoxically become agents of harm, illustrating that trials and difficulties can arise from surprising sources, even those seemingly within the "city" or community that should offer safety. Secondly, the verse underscores the vulnerability and cost of fervent pursuit. The Bride's physical assault and public humiliation convey the deep pain, distress, and exposure that can accompany a passionate search for connection, whether in human relationships or in one's spiritual walk with God. Thirdly, it subtly touches upon the consequences of delay or spiritual apathy. While not explicitly a punishment, this harsh experience immediately follows the Bride's initial reluctance to open the door for her Beloved (Song of Solomon 5:2-6), suggesting that neglecting the Beloved's call or delaying one's response can lead to difficult and painful pathways in the journey of faith, intensifying the longing for His presence.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 5:7 is rich in Symbolism, where the "watchmen" transcend their literal role as city guards to represent figures of authority, religious leaders, or even internal spiritual obstacles that, paradoxically, hinder rather than help the soul's fervent pursuit of the Beloved. The "city" itself can symbolize the world, human society, or the organized religious community, which can sometimes prove to be a place of unexpected hostility or misunderstanding for the earnest seeker. The "veil" is a powerful symbol of modesty, honor, and protection, and its forcible removal represents public humiliation, vulnerability, and the stripping away of dignity and self-reliance. There is a strong element of Irony in the watchmen's actions; those whose sworn duty it is to protect become the aggressors, subverting their expected role and highlighting the unexpected sources of opposition in the spiritual journey. The vivid Imagery of being "smote" and "wounded" evokes a visceral sense of physical pain and emotional distress, making the Shulamite's suffering palpable to the reader. The entire passage functions as a Dream Allegory, where the events, while intensely real in their emotional and spiritual impact, may not be literal occurrences but rather symbolic representations of inner spiritual struggles, trials, and the profound costs of devotion and delay.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This dramatic encounter in Song of Solomon 5:7 resonates deeply with the Christian experience, particularly the reality that the path of discipleship and intimacy with God is not always smooth or without opposition. Just as the Shulamite encounters hostility from unexpected sources—those who should have been guardians—believers may face misunderstanding, rejection, or even persecution from within the broader community or from those who claim to be "keepers" of the faith, as they earnestly seek a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. This verse reminds us that spiritual pursuit can involve periods of profound vulnerability, pain, and feeling exposed, especially when one is passionately seeking God or recovering from a season of spiritual neglect. It highlights that true spiritual growth often occurs through suffering and that the journey towards intimacy with the Beloved may be marked by trials that strip away our self-reliance, pride, and superficial coverings, exposing our deepest needs and refining our devotion.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 5:7 serves as a poignant and challenging reminder that the pursuit of spiritual intimacy and a deeper relationship with God is not always a comfortable or straightforward journey. There will be seasons of unexpected opposition, even from those we might expect to be supportive, and moments of profound vulnerability where we feel "smitten" or "wounded" by life's circumstances, spiritual battles, or the consequences of our own hesitations. This verse encourages us to acknowledge the reality of spiritual struggle and the potential cost of discipleship, reminding us that true devotion often involves perseverance through pain, misunderstanding, and even public humiliation. It challenges us to examine our own spiritual responsiveness, considering whether hesitation or apathy might lead us down more difficult paths, yet also assures us that even in our most exposed and wounded states, the ultimate goal remains the Beloved. Our suffering in this pursuit, while painful, can refine our longing, deepen our character, and ultimately enhance our appreciation for the One we seek, enabling a more profound and authentic communion.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why do the watchmen, who are supposed to be protectors, act so violently towards the Shulamite?
Answer: The watchmen's violent actions are often interpreted allegorically within the broader context of the Song of Solomon. While a literal interpretation might suggest they perceived a woman alone at night as suspicious or a prostitute, leading to harsh treatment, their hostility more powerfully symbolizes various forms of opposition a spiritual seeker might face. This could include legalism, misunderstanding, or even persecution from within the religious community itself, or from societal structures that are supposed to uphold order but instead inflict harm on those earnestly seeking God. This unexpected antagonism highlights that the path to deeper intimacy with the Beloved is not always met with affirmation but can involve trials from surprising sources, forcing the seeker to rely solely on their devotion and the Beloved's grace.
What is the significance of the watchmen taking away the Shulamite's veil?
Answer: The veil (radîyd) in ancient Near Eastern culture was a crucial symbol of a woman's modesty, honor, and often her marital status. Its forceful removal in public by the watchmen was an act of profound humiliation, stripping her of her dignity and exposing her to shame. Theologically, this can symbolize the stripping away of self-righteousness, pride, or even superficial coverings that hinder true intimacy with the Beloved. It represents a state of vulnerability and exposure, where the seeker is left bare before God and the world, perhaps as a consequence of spiritual delay or as a necessary step in a deeper, more authentic spiritual journey. It underscores the cost of discipleship and the potential for public shame in the passionate pursuit of Christ, as seen in the experiences of many prophets and apostles who suffered for their faith (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
Does this verse suggest that suffering is a punishment for the Shulamite's delay in opening the door for her Beloved?
Answer: While the Shulamite's painful encounter immediately follows her regret over her initial hesitation and delay in opening the door (Song of Solomon 5:6), it is generally not interpreted as direct divine punishment. Rather, it illustrates the natural consequences or difficult pathways that can arise from spiritual complacency or delay in responding to the Beloved's call. The "city" and its "watchmen" can symbolize the harsh realities of the world or the spiritual wilderness one might experience when not in close communion with the Beloved. The suffering serves not as retribution, but as a refining fire, intensifying her longing and deepening her understanding of the Beloved's worth, ultimately leading her to a more profound and unwavering commitment to seek him. This experience, though painful, ultimately propels her into a deeper declaration of love and devotion.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 5:7, with its depiction of the Shulamite's suffering and public humiliation at the hands of those who should have been protectors, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate Beloved who, in His pursuit of His Bride (the Church), willingly endured far greater suffering and rejection from those who should have recognized and protected Him. The "watchmen" who smote and wounded the Shulamite foreshadow the religious authorities and the very people of Israel who rejected, scourged, and crucified Jesus (Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 26:67). Just as the Shulamite's veil was taken, symbolizing her public stripping of dignity, Jesus was stripped of His garments before His crucifixion, exposed and shamed for all to see (John 19:23-24). His suffering was not a consequence of His own delay or sin, but a voluntary act of infinite love to redeem His Bride. In His humiliation, He became the sympathetic High Priest who understands our own wounds and vulnerabilities, having experienced temptation and suffering in every way (Hebrews 4:15). Thus, the Shulamite's painful experience points to the ultimate suffering of Christ, who, by enduring the ultimate smiting and wounding, secured our dignity and restored our relationship with God, transforming our moments of shame into opportunities for deeper communion with the One who loved us and gave Himself for us (Philippians 2:7-8; Revelation 1:5).