King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 2:17 Mean?

Song of Solomon 2:17 in the King James Version says “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mounta...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. of Bether: or, of division”

Song of Solomon 2:17 · KJV

Context

15

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

16

My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

17

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. of Bether: or, of division

Read Song of Solomon 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. The bride appeals for her beloved's presence until morning comes. The Hebrew ad sheyafuach hayom venasu hatselalim sov demeh-lekha dodi litsebi o le-ofer ha-ayalim al-harei bater (עַד שֶׁיָּפוּחַ הַיּוֹם וְנָסוּ הַצְּלָלִים סֹב דְּמֵה־לְךָ דוֹדִי לִצְבִי אוֹ לְעֹפֶר הָאַיָּלִים עַל־הָרֵי בָתֶר) blends longing, urgency, and sensual imagery.

"Until the day break" (ad sheyafuach hayom) literally means "until the day breathes" or "blows"—the morning breeze that dispels night. "The shadows flee away" (venasu hatselalim) describes darkness retreating before dawn. Night represents separation, shadows symbolize obstacles. The bride desires her beloved's presence throughout the night until dawn reunites them fully. This temporal imagery gains eschatological significance: believers await Christ's return when "the shadows flee away" and we see "face to face" (1 Corinthians 13:12).

"Turn, my beloved" (sov dodi) invites responsive movement—come to me, turn toward me. The comparison to "roe or young hart" (litsebi o le-ofer ha-ayalim) emphasizes grace, strength, swiftness, and vigor. The gazelle (tsebi) and young stag (ofer ayalim) were proverbially swift and sure-footed on mountains (2 Samuel 2:18, Proverbs 6:5). "Mountains of Bether" (harei bater) likely means "mountains of separation" or "rugged mountains"—geography emphasizing distance overcome by love. Christ leaps over every barrier (2:8) to reach His beloved, demonstrating His pursuing grace (Luke 19:10).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse concludes a section where the bride searches for her beloved (2:8-17). Ancient Near Eastern love poetry commonly employed night/day, darkness/light symbolism to represent separation/union. The gazelle and deer were native to ancient Israel's hill country, familiar sights conveying beauty and agility. Mountains represented both obstacle and opportunity—barriers requiring effort but offering vantage points. The bride's appeal reflects cultural norms where women's mobility was restricted, especially at night, so she invites her beloved to come to her. This section anticipates themes developed in chapter 3 where she actively searches the city for him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does "until the day break and the shadows flee away" point toward Christ's return when all separation and darkness end?
  2. What spiritual barriers or "mountains of separation" does Christ overcome to pursue and secure His bride, the church?
  3. How should longing for Christ's presence and return shape daily Christian life and affections?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
עַ֤ד1 of 16
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

שֶׁיָּפ֙וּחַ֙2 of 16

“break”

H6315

to puff, i.e., blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to kindle (a fire), to scoff

הַיּ֔וֹם3 of 16

“Until the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וְנָ֖סוּ4 of 16

“flee away”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

הַצְּלָלִ֑ים5 of 16

“and the shadows”

H6752

shade

סֹב֩6 of 16

“turn”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

דְּמֵה7 of 16

“and be thou like”

H1819

to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider

לְךָ֙8 of 16
H0
דוֹדִ֜י9 of 16

“my beloved”

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

לִצְבִ֗י10 of 16

“a roe”

H6643

a gazelle (as beautiful)

א֛וֹ11 of 16
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

לְעֹ֥פֶר12 of 16

“or a young”

H6082

a fawn (from the dusty color)

הָאַיָּלִ֖ים13 of 16

“hart”

H354

a stag or male deer

עַל14 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָ֥רֵי15 of 16

“upon the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

בָֽתֶר׃16 of 16

“of Bether”

H1336

bether, a (craggy) place in palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Song of Solomon. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Song of Solomon 2:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Song of Solomon 2:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 4:6Song of Solomon 2:8-9Luke 1:782 Peter 1:19Hebrews 8:5Hebrews 10:1

Places in This Verse

Bether 1Special Place · Modern: Khirbet al Yahud · 31.73°N, 35.14°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Song of Solomon 2 →

Test Your Knowledge

Song of Solomon 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterSong of Solomon Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Song of Solomon 2 with CommentaryAll Song of Solomon ChaptersComplete Song of Solomon QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes