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Song Of Solomon 2:14

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¶ O my dove, [that art] in the clefts of the rock, in the secret [places] of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet [is] thy voice, and thy countenance [is] comely.

O my dove {H3123}, that art in the clefts {H2288} of the rock {H5553}, in the secret {H5643} places of the stairs {H4095}, let me see {H7200} thy countenance {H4758}, let me hear {H8085} thy voice {H6963}; for sweet {H6156} is thy voice {H6963}, and thy countenance {H4758} is comely {H5000}.

[He] My dove, hiding in holes in the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, let me see your face and hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your countenance is lovely.

O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, In the covert of the steep place, Let me see thy countenance, Let me hear thy voice; For sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

Commentary

¶ O my dove, [that art] in the clefts of the rock, in the secret [places] of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet [is] thy voice, and thy countenance [is] comely.

Context

Song of Solomon chapter 2 is set during the vibrant season of spring, a time of blossoming and renewed life, mirroring the blooming love between the beloved (the Shulamite woman) and her lover (King Solomon). The chapter includes the famous "voice of my beloved" passage and an invitation for the Shulamite to come away with him. This verse (Song of Solomon 2:14) represents the lover's earnest plea for his beloved, who is described as being in hidden or secure places, perhaps out of shyness, modesty, or a playful retreat. He longs for her to emerge so he can see her face and hear her voice.

Key Themes

  • Intimacy and Longing: The verse expresses a deep desire for close connection, not just physical presence but visual and auditory interaction.
  • Seeking and Calling: The lover is actively seeking his beloved and calling her to reveal herself.
  • The Beloved's Beauty: Her voice is described as "sweet" and her appearance ("countenance") as "comely," highlighting her attractiveness to him.
  • Shyness or Hiding: The imagery of being in "clefts of the rock" or "secret places" suggests the beloved is somewhat withdrawn or hesitant.

Linguistic Insights

The term "O my dove" is a tender term of endearment used frequently in the Song of Solomon. The dove was often associated with beauty, innocence, and purity. The phrase "clefts of the rock" suggests a secure, perhaps difficult-to-reach place, possibly symbolizing shyness, modesty, or a place of refuge. The word "comely" (Hebrew: נָאוֶה, na'weh) means lovely, beautiful, or fitting, indicating her appearance is pleasing and attractive to him.

Reflection and Application

This verse beautifully illustrates the lover's desire for connection and communication with his beloved. In the context of allegorical interpretations, this can represent Christ's desire for His church or an individual believer. He calls us to come out of hiding, whether that hiding is due to fear, shame, or busyness. He longs to hear our voice in prayer and fellowship and to see our "countenance" – our life lived openly before Him. Just as the lover found the Shulamite's voice sweet and her face lovely, God delights in hearing from His children and seeing their lives dedicated to Him. This verse encourages us to respond to His call and not remain hidden, for He finds our communication and presence precious.

Consider the longing expressed here, similar to how the Shulamite later describes her own search when the beloved was absent. It reminds us that healthy relationships, including our relationship with God, thrive on open communication and seeking each other's presence. Just as the lover said, "let me hear thy voice," God waits for us to speak to Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Song Of Solomon 1:5 (5 votes)

    I [am] black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

  • Ezra 9:5 (5 votes)

    ¶ And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,

  • Ezra 9:6 (5 votes)

    And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over [our] head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

  • Song Of Solomon 8:13 (4 votes)

    ¶ Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear [it].

  • Song Of Solomon 5:2 (4 votes)

    ¶ I sleep, but my heart waketh: [it is] the voice of my beloved that knocketh, [saying], Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, [and] my locks with the drops of the night.

  • Exodus 3:6 (4 votes)

    Moreover he said, I [am] the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

  • Exodus 33:22 (3 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: