King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 2:7 Mean?

Song of Solomon 2:7 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. I charge: Heb. I adjure you”

Song of Solomon 2:7 · KJV

Love

Context

5

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. comfort: Heb. straw me with apples

6

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.

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. I charge: Heb. I adjure you

8

The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

9

My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. shewing: Heb. flourishing

Read Song of Solomon 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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Historical & Cultural 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 Questions

  1. In what areas of life are you tempted to 'stir up or awaken love' prematurely—rushing intimacy, forcing outcomes, or manipulating relationships?
  2. How does this verse inform godly courtship, sexuality, and marriage—respecting proper timing and boundaries rather than demanding immediate gratification?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
הִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי1 of 16

“I charge”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

אֶתְכֶ֜ם2 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנ֤וֹת3 of 16

“you O ye daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙4 of 16

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בִּצְבָא֔וֹת5 of 16

“by the roes”

H6643

a gazelle (as beautiful)

א֖וֹ6 of 16

“and”

H176

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

בְּאַיְל֣וֹת7 of 16

“by the hinds”

H355

a doe or female deer

הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה8 of 16

“of the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

אִם9 of 16
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תְּעֽוֹרְר֛וּ10 of 16

“nor awake”

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

וְֽאִם11 of 16
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תְּעֽוֹרְר֛וּ12 of 16

“nor awake”

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

אֶת13 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאַהֲבָ֖ה14 of 16

“my love”

H160

love

עַ֥ד15 of 16
H5704

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

שֶׁתֶּחְפָּֽץ׃16 of 16

“till he please”

H2654

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

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 2:7 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 2:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 3:5Song of Solomon 8:4Song of Solomon 1:5Song of Solomon 5:8-9Proverbs 5:19Song of Solomon 2:9

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Song of Solomon 2 →

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