Song Of Solomon 5:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

I charge {H7650} you, O daughters {H1323} of Jerusalem {H3389}, if ye find {H4672} my beloved {H1730}, that ye tell {H5046} him, that I am sick {H2470} of love {H160}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I charge you, daughters of Yerushalayim, that if you find the man I love, what are you to tell him? That I am sick with love.

Berean Standard Bible

O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you, if you find my beloved, tell him I am sick with love.

American Standard Version

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If ye find my beloved, That ye tell him, that I am sick from love.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 5:8 captures the Shulamite's profound and overwhelming emotional state, expressing a love so intense for her beloved that it manifests as a debilitating yearning. Having frantically searched for him through the city streets after a missed encounter, she appeals to the "daughters of Jerusalem" to convey the depth of her longing, revealing a heart consumed by passionate affection and distress in his absence. Her declaration is a poignant cry from a soul deeply affected by the power of love and the pain of separation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a vivid and distressing dream sequence in [Song of Solomon 5:2-7](/song_of_solomon/5-2-7 "Song of Solomon 5:2-7 - The Shulamite's Dream and Search"). In this dream, the Shulamite describes her beloved's arrival and departure, her subsequent inability to open the door quickly enough, and her frantic, desperate search for him through the city. Her search leads to a painful encounter with the city watchmen, who mistreat her. Her passionate plea in [Song of Solomon 5:8](/song_of_solomon/5-8 "Song of Solomon 5:8 - The Shulamite's Intense Longing") is a direct outpouring of the emotional anguish and intense longing she experiences after this unfulfilled encounter and fruitless search. The "daughters of Jerusalem" serve as a recurring chorus or confidantes throughout the Song, often receiving charges or questions from the Shulamite, as seen previously in [Song of Solomon 2:7](/song_of_solomon/2-7 "Song of Solomon 2:7 - The First Charge to the Daughters of Jerusalem") and [Song of Solomon 3:5](/song_of_solomon/3-5 "Song of Solomon 3:5 - The Second Charge to the Daughters of Jerusalem"), providing a narrative framework for her expressions of love and distress.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Song of Solomon, set in ancient Israel, reflects the cultural norms of a society where expressions of romantic love, while often veiled in poetic language, were deeply valued. The "daughters of Jerusalem" likely represent the young women of the court or city, serving as an audience or a collective voice that interacts with the Shulamite. Their presence underscores the public yet intimate nature of the Shulamite's declarations, suggesting that intense romantic love was acknowledged and discussed within the community, albeit within the confines of poetic expression. The imagery of searching for a beloved in the city streets, even at night, highlights the depth of commitment and disregard for social conventions when driven by profound affection. The language of "sickness" due to love was a recognized poetic trope in ancient Near Eastern literature, signifying an overwhelming emotional state rather than a physical ailment.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Song of Solomon 5:8](/song_of_solomon/5-8 "Song of Solomon 5:8 - The Shulamite's Intense Longing") is the **overwhelming power of passionate love**. The Shulamite's declaration of being "sick of love" vividly portrays love as an all-consuming force that affects one's very being, leading to a profound sense of yearning and even distress in separation. This verse also highlights the theme of **desperate seeking and persistent devotion**, as her plea to the daughters of Jerusalem underscores her relentless pursuit of her beloved, echoing her earlier search in [Song of Solomon 3:1-4](/song_of_solomon/3-1-4 "Song of Solomon 3:1-4 - The Shulamite's Earlier Search"). Furthermore, it showcases **vulnerability and open communication** within intimate relationships, as the Shulamite openly confides her deepest emotional state to her trusted companions. This intense, unyielding love is a foundational theme throughout the entire Song, culminating in the powerful affirmation that [love is strong as death](/song_of_solomon/8-6 "Song of Solomon 8:6 - Love's Unyielding Power").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **charge (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** From H7650, a primitive root meaning "to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times); adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for שָׂבַע), take an oath, [idiom] straitly, (cause to, make to) swear." The Shulamite's use of "charge" (KJV) or "adjure" (ESV, NASB) is a solemn and binding appeal, akin to putting someone under oath. It emphasizes the gravity and earnestness of her request to the "daughters of Jerusalem," indicating that her emotional state is not trivial but demands a serious, committed response.
* **sick (Hebrew, _châlâh'_):** From H2470, a primitive root meaning "properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat; beseech, (be) diseased, (put to) grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay to, put to pain, [idiom] pray, make prayer, be (fall, make) sick, sore, be sorry, make suit ([idiom] supplication), woman in travail, be (become) weak, be wounded." This word vividly portrays a state of physical and emotional debilitation. When combined with "love," it signifies an overwhelming, almost incapacitating, emotional distress caused by the absence of the beloved, rather than a literal illness. Her love is so intense that it has "worn her out" or made her "weak" with longing.
* **love (Hebrew, _ʼahăbâh'_):** From H160, feminine of אַהַב, meaning "affection (in a good or a bad sense); love." This term denotes a deep, passionate affection. In the context of the Song, it is consistently used to describe the profound romantic and emotional bond between the Shulamite and her beloved. When paired with "sick," it underscores that the very source of her joy and desire has, in its unfulfilled state, become the cause of her profound distress and yearning, highlighting the paradoxical nature of love's power to both uplift and debilitate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem":** The Shulamite makes a solemn and earnest appeal to her companions, the young women of Jerusalem. This is not a casual request but a serious adjuration, highlighting the urgency and depth of her emotional need. She is putting them under a binding obligation, emphasizing the critical nature of her message and her reliance on their assistance.
* **"if ye find my beloved":** This clause reveals the immediate context of her plea: she is unable to locate her beloved herself, having just searched for him in vain through the city. Her hope now rests on the possibility that others might encounter him, underscoring her desperation and the intensity of her desire for reunion. It implies a sense of helplessness and an urgent need for intervention.
* **"that ye tell him":** This is the core of her instruction. She wants them to convey a message directly to him, indicating that she cannot deliver it herself, either because she cannot find him or because her emotional state prevents her from doing so effectively. This sets up the critical content of her message, which she deems essential for her beloved to hear.
* **"that I [am] sick of love":** This climactic declaration is the essence of her message, a powerful poetic expression of being utterly consumed, weakened, and distressed by the intensity of her unfulfilled love and longing for her beloved's presence. It is not a complaint of physical illness but a vivid metaphor for the profound emotional and even physical languishing caused by the absence of the one she loves. Her love is so profound that its absence causes her deep anguish and a sense of being utterly undone.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 5:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey the Shulamite's intense emotional state. **Apostrophe** is prominently featured as the speaker directly addresses the "daughters of Jerusalem," a recurring chorus in the Song, drawing them into her personal anguish and making them confidantes. The central declaration, "I am sick of love," is a masterful use of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating her emotional state to emphasize its overwhelming and debilitating nature. It is not a literal sickness but a metaphorical one, conveying the incapacitating power of unfulfilled desire and longing. This phrase also functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where the effect (sickness, weakness, languishing) stands in for the profound and consuming cause (intense, unrequited, or unfulfilled love). Furthermore, the entire verse contributes to the overarching **Symbolism** of the Song, where the human longing for a beloved can symbolize the soul's yearning for divine intimacy and presence, particularly the Church's longing for Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Shulamite's declaration of being "sick of love" transcends mere romantic sentiment, offering profound theological insights into the nature of desire and relationship, both human and divine. It speaks to the human capacity for deep, consuming affection, which, when directed towards God, becomes a powerful metaphor for spiritual yearning. This intense longing for the beloved can be understood as a spiritual hunger, a soul's unquenchable desire for a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Divine. Just as the Shulamite's heart is restless until she finds her beloved, the human heart, created for communion with God, remains restless until it finds its rest and satisfaction in Him. This verse encourages believers to cultivate such a passionate desire for the Lord's presence, to actively seek Him when He seems distant, and to acknowledge the profound impact of His presence (or perceived absence) on their spiritual well-being. It underscores that a vibrant faith is often characterized by this profound, sometimes painful, yearning for God.

* [Psalm 42:1-2](/psalms/42-1-2 "Psalm 42:1-2 - The Soul's Thirst for God")
* [Psalm 63:1](/psalms/63-1 "Psalm 63:1 - Longing for God in a Dry Land")
* [Song of Solomon 8:6](/song_of_solomon/8-6 "Song of Solomon 8:6 - Love as Strong as Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 5:8 offers a profound invitation to reflect on the nature of our deepest affections, both human and divine. On a human level, it legitimizes the intensity and consuming nature of romantic love within a committed relationship, such as marriage. It reminds us that true intimacy involves vulnerability and the open expression of our deepest longings and distresses to our beloved and trusted confidantes. It underscores the importance of presence and diligent seeking in maintaining vibrant relationships, urging us not to grow complacent in our pursuit of connection. Spiritually, this verse challenges us to examine the depth of our own "love-sickness" for God. Do we yearn for His presence with such intensity that His perceived absence causes us spiritual distress? Do we actively seek Him when He feels distant, or do we become complacent in our spiritual walk? The Shulamite's desperate plea serves as a powerful model for a soul consumed by a holy longing for God, a desire that drives us to seek Him relentlessly and to confide our spiritual needs to our community. It encourages us to cultivate a passionate, all-consuming desire for a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ, recognizing that true spiritual health often stems from this profound yearning and active pursuit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for your soul to be "sick of love" for God? What does that spiritual longing feel like in your life, and how does it manifest?**
* **In what ways do you actively "seek your beloved" (God) when you feel a sense of distance or absence in your spiritual journey, and what practices help you in this pursuit?**
* **To whom do you "charge" or confide your deepest spiritual longings and distresses, mirroring the Shulamite's interaction with the daughters of Jerusalem, and why is this important?**
* **How does the intensity of the Shulamite's love challenge your own understanding and pursuit of intimacy with God, and what steps can you take to deepen that intimacy?**

### FAQ

**What does "sick of love" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In Song of Solomon 5:8, "sick of love" (Hebrew: *cholat ahavah*) does not refer to a physical illness but is a powerful poetic expression of an overwhelming, consuming emotional state. The Hebrew word *châlâh* (H2470) can mean "weak," "faint," "languishing," or "afflicted." When combined with *ʼahăbâh* (H160), "love," it describes being utterly overcome by the emotion of love to the point of feeling weak, distressed, or unable to function normally due to the intense longing for the beloved's presence. It signifies a profound yearning and emotional anguish caused by separation or unfulfilled desire, rather than a negative or unhealthy state of love itself. This hyperbole emphasizes the depth and intensity of the Shulamite's passionate affection, portraying love as a force so powerful it can physically and emotionally debilitate.

**Who are the "daughters of Jerusalem" and what is their role in the Song of Solomon?**

Answer: The "daughters of Jerusalem" (Hebrew: *bath Yᵉrûwshâlaim*, H1323, H3389) are a recurring group in the Song of Solomon, serving as a chorus, an audience, and confidantes to the Shulamite. They represent the young women of the city or court. Their role is multifaceted: they listen to the Shulamite's passionate declarations, ask her questions (e.g., [Song of Solomon 5:9](/song_of_solomon/5-9 "Song of Solomon 5:9 - The Daughters' Question")), and receive solemn charges from her (e.g., [Song of Solomon 2:7](/song_of_solomon/2-7 "Song of Solomon 2:7 - The First Charge to the Daughters of Jerusalem"), [Song of Solomon 3:5](/song_of_solomon/3-5 "Song of Solomon 3:5 - The Second Charge to the Daughters of Jerusalem")). They act as a sounding board for her emotions and help to advance the narrative by prompting further descriptions of her beloved. Their presence highlights the communal aspect of love and intimacy within the ancient Near Eastern cultural context, providing a framework for the Shulamite's expressions of deep affection and longing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The intense "love-sickness" expressed by the Shulamite in [Song of Solomon 5:8](/song_of_solomon/5-8 "Song of Solomon 5:8 - The Shulamite's Intense Longing") finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the believer's yearning for Christ and the Church's longing for her Bridegroom. Just as the Shulamite's heart is consumed by desire for her beloved, the Christian soul is called to an all-consuming love for Jesus Christ, who is the [true Beloved and Bridegroom](/john/3-29 "John 3:29 - Christ as the Bridegroom"). This spiritual "sickness of love" manifests as a deep, unquenchable thirst for His presence, a yearning for closer communion, and a profound sense of incompleteness when His presence feels distant. This longing is not a weakness but a spiritual strength, driving the believer to seek Him diligently through prayer, study of [His Word](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Made Flesh"), and fellowship with other believers, as seen in the early church's devotion to [the apostles' teaching and fellowship](/acts/2-42 "Acts 2:42 - The Early Church's Devotion"). Ultimately, this passionate desire foreshadows the Church's fervent anticipation of Christ's glorious return, when the [Bride will be eternally united with the Lamb](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb") at the marriage supper, and every longing will be fully satisfied in His glorious, unveiled presence, where [God will dwell among His people](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People") forever.

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 2:5

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I [am] sick of love.

Song Of Solomon 2:7

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.

Psalms 42:1

¶ To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Psalms 42:3

My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where [is] thy God?

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.

Romans 15:30

¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me;

Psalms 63:1

¶ A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;