Song of Solomon 2:7
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Song of Solomon 2:7
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.
Chapter Context
Song of Solomon 2 is a poetic love song chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of love, judgment. Written during Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient Near Eastern love poetry often used agricultural and royal imagery.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-17: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Song of Solomon and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Song of Solomon 2:7
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.
Analysis
The bride adjures the daughters of Jerusalem: '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.' This solemn charge appears three times in the Song (2:7; 3:5; 8:4), forming a refrain about love's proper timing. The oath formula 'I charge you' (Hebrew 'hishba'ti,' הִשְׁבַּעְתִּי) means 'I adjure' or 'I put you under oath.' The reference to 'roes' (gazelles) and 'hinds' (female deer) may serve as oath terminology (avoiding God's name) or symbolize love's delicate, free nature—wild creatures that cannot be forced. The command 'stir not up, nor awake my love' warns against artificially hastening or forcing love. Love must develop in its proper season, neither rushed nor manipulated. The phrase 'till he please' (Hebrew 'ad shetechpats,' עַד שֶׁתֶּחְפָּץ) literally means 'until it delights' or 'until it desires'—love awakens when ready, not before. This verse teaches that godly love respects proper timing, processes, and readiness. It warns against premature sexual intimacy, emotional manipulation, or forced commitment before appropriate maturity.
Historical Context
Ancient Israelite betrothal and marriage followed structured processes with proper timing—engagement period, parental involvement, community witness. Premature intimacy violated covenant boundaries and threatened social stability. The Song's repeated warning against rushing love would have resonated in a culture valuing virginity before marriage and fidelity within it. The imagery of gazelles and deer—beautiful, graceful, yet wild and easily frightened—pictures love's delicate nature. Force or pressure drives it away; patience and respect allow it to flourish. Early church fathers applied this to spiritual development: God's timing in sanctification cannot be rushed, and believers must wait patiently for Christ's second coming rather than setting dates (Acts 1:7). The Puritans emphasized disciplined courtship with proper boundaries, allowing affection to develop naturally within community accountability. Modern application warns against the sexual impatience of contemporary culture and affirms the wisdom of respecting relational and sexual boundaries until marriage.
Reflection
- In what areas of life are you tempted to 'stir up or awaken love' prematurely—rushing intimacy, forcing outcomes, or manipulating relationships?
- How does this verse inform godly courtship, sexuality, and marriage—respecting proper timing and boundaries rather than demanding immediate gratification?
Word Studies
- Love: אַהֲבָה / חֶסֶד (Ahavah / Chesed) H160 - Love / Loyal-love
Cross-References
- Related: Song of Solomon 1:5, 3:5, 8:4