Song of Solomon 5:8
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The "daughters of Jerusalem" represent the bride's companions or community. Calling on them to find the beloved and convey her message demonstrates both humility (asking for help) and urgency (recruiting all possible assistance). Being "sick of love" conveyed serious condition—love as illness or wound, overwhelming normal functioning. This echoes earlier usage (2:5) but with painful rather than joyful tone. Early church fathers saw this as believers calling on fellow Christians to seek Christ corporately when individual seeking seems fruitless. The community bears witness to the seeking soul's desperate love. The Reformers emphasized that believers should openly confess their spiritual state—acknowledging need, seeking prayer support. The Puritans taught that Christian community exists partly to help lovesick souls find Christ again—bearing witness, praying together, encouraging persistence. Modern readers recognize the value of vulnerable community—admitting spiritual struggle and seeking help.
Questions for Reflection
- Have you experienced being "sick of love"—so aware of Christ's absence or distance that it overwhelms you with yearning?
- How does the bride's public, vulnerable confession ("tell him I am sick of love") challenge prideful self-sufficiency in your spiritual life?
- What role does Christian community play in helping you seek and find Christ when He seems distant or absent?
Analysis & Commentary
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love (hishbati etkhem benot yerushalayim im timtse'u et dodi mah tagidu lo shecholat ahavah ani, הִשְׁבַּעְתִּי אֶתְכֶם בְּנוֹת יְרוּשָׁלָיִם אִם־תִּמְצְאוּ אֶת־דּוֹדִי מַה־תַּגִּידוּ לוֹ שֶׁחוֹלַת אַהֲבָה אָנִי)—the desperate bride solicits help from others. The verb hishbati (הִשְׁבַּעְתִּי, I adjure/charge) creates solemn urgency. She begs them: if you find him, tell him I am "sick of love" (cholat ahavah, חוֹלַת אַהֲבָה).
"Sick of love" means lovesick—overwhelmed with longing, grieved by absence. The same phrase appeared in 2:5 but in context of joyful overwhelming; here it describes painful yearning. The bride has learned through loss how desperately she needs her beloved. Her earlier complacency ("I have put off my coat") has been replaced by all-consuming desire. This teaches that experiencing Christ's absence—feeling His withdrawal—often produces deeper passion than taking His presence for granted.