Song of Solomon 3:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The speaker charges the daughters of Jerusalem not to disturb her beloved's rest.
The Context of Song of Solomon 3:5
The speaker protects her beloved's rest and the intimacy of their reunion.
What Does Song of Solomon 3:5 Mean?
With her beloved finally present, the speaker addresses the daughters of Jerusalem—her community of women—with a solemn charge. She conjures them by the gentle roes and hinds of the field, invoking nature's innocence to underscore her plea: do not stir up or awaken her love until he himself chooses it. This language suggests tenderness and protection over her beloved's rest and wellbeing.
The phrase 'till he please' grants the beloved agency and respect; the speaker is not commanding others so much as appealing to their understanding of love's delicate nature. The repeated charge (similar language appears in Song 2:7 and 8:4) emphasizes that love requires patience, respect for the beloved's readiness, and protection from external interference. This is a moment of contentment guarding itself.
Song of Solomon 3:5 in the Original Language
Stir not up—Hebrew עוּר (ur), to awake or rouse, conveys disturbing someone's rest or peace; the term suggests allowing sleep or peace to remain undisturbed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Song of Solomon 3:5
What does Song of Solomon 3:5 mean?
The speaker charges the daughters of Jerusalem not to disturb her beloved's rest.
What is the context of Song of Solomon 3:5?
The speaker protects her beloved's rest and the intimacy of their reunion.