King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 3:2 Mean?

Song of Solomon 3:2 in the King James Version says “I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I soug...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.”

Song of Solomon 3:2 · KJV

Context

1

By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

2

I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

3

The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

4

It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The bride's search intensifies: I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. The resolve 'I will rise now' (aqumah-na, אָקוּמָה־נָּא) demonstrates determination—she won't remain passively in bed but will actively search. Go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways (asovevah va'ir bashuqim uvarecho vot, אָסוֹבְבָה בָּעִיר בַּשְּׁוָקִים וּבָרְחֹבוֹת) describes comprehensive urban search through narrow streets (shuqim, שְּׁוָקִים) and broad squares (rechovot, רְחֹבוֹת).

This verse celebrates love's courageous persistence. The bride doesn't give up after initial failure but escalates her search, venturing into public spaces despite cultural restrictions on women's nighttime movement. Her determination demonstrates love's intensity—willing to risk propriety, safety, and reputation to find the beloved. Yet even determined seeking initially fails: 'I sought him, but I found him not.' This teaches that love persists through difficulty and disappointment, trusting that faithful seeking will ultimately succeed (verse 4). Spiritually, believers sometimes must 'rise' from comfortable passivity to active pursuit of God through fervent prayer, Scripture, and worship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern cities featured narrow residential streets and wider commercial/public squares. Women venturing alone into streets at night violated social norms and risked danger—the bride's search demonstrates extraordinary determination and courage. City watchmen patrolled at night (verse 3 mentions them), adding both danger and potential assistance. Ancient readers would appreciate the bride's boldness—love motivating behavior otherwise unthinkable. Early church fathers saw this as the soul leaving comfortable spiritual complacency to earnestly seek God. Augustine wrote that sometimes God withdraws sensed presence to provoke more intense seeking. The mystics emphasized active pursuit—'rising' from spiritual laziness to fervent devotion. The Puritans taught that genuine conversion involves determined seeking of Christ, not casual interest. Modern readers see both relational application (pursuing reconciliation despite obstacles) and spiritual discipline (earnest prayer and worship when God seems distant).

Reflection Questions

  1. What might Christ be calling you to 'rise' from—spiritual complacency, comfortable routines, passive faith—to more earnestly seek Him?
  2. How does the bride's determined, even risky searching challenge your pursuit of Christ or reconciliation in strained relationships?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אָק֨וּמָה1 of 13

“I will rise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

נָּ֜א2 of 13
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וַאֲסוֹבְבָ֣ה3 of 13

“now and go about”

H5437

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

בָעִ֗יר4 of 13

“the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

בַּשְּׁוָקִים֙5 of 13

“in the streets”

H7784

a street (as run over)

וּבָ֣רְחֹב֔וֹת6 of 13

“and in the broad ways”

H7339

a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area

בִּקַּשְׁתִּ֖יו7 of 13

“I sought”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

אֵ֥ת8 of 13
H853

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

שֶׁאָהֲבָ֖ה9 of 13

“loveth”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

נַפְשִׁ֑י10 of 13

“him whom my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בִּקַּשְׁתִּ֖יו11 of 13

“I sought”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

וְלֹ֥א12 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מְצָאתִֽיו׃13 of 13

“him but I found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

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 3:2 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 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 13:11Ephesians 5:14Jeremiah 5:1Psalms 22:1-2Isaiah 64:7Psalms 77:7-10

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