King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 3:5 Mean?

Song of Solomon 3:5 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 3 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.”

Song of Solomon 3:5 · KJV

Love

Context

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.

5

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.

6

Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

7

Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.

Read Song of Solomon 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The bride repeats her adjuration: '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 refrain (appearing in 2:7; 3:5; 8:4) emphasizes love's proper timing. The context here follows the bride's successful search for her beloved (verses 1-4), celebrating reunion after separation. The warning still applies: don't force or manipulate love's rhythms. Even within committed relationship, intimacy requires mutual readiness and appropriate timing. The verse teaches that covenant love respects both partners' readiness, never coercing or demanding beyond what is freely given. Spiritually, it reminds believers that God's timing in spiritual development and answered prayer cannot be rushed through human manipulation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The repetition of this refrain creates structure in the Song, marking transitions between sections. Ancient readers would recognize the pattern: seasons of seeking, finding, intimacy, and restraint cycle throughout courtship and marriage. The emphasis on not awakening love prematurely appears especially after intimate union (verse 4 describes bringing the beloved into chambers), suggesting that even within marriage, respect for the beloved's timing and readiness remains crucial. Early church fathers applied this to spiritual maturity—God's work in the soul progresses at His pace, not ours. The Reformers emphasized that sanctification is gradual, requiring patience and avoiding presumptuous demands on God. Modern readers see wisdom for both sexual ethics (respecting boundaries and timing) and spiritual formation (trusting God's timing in growth).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this repeated warning about timing inform your approach to both physical intimacy in marriage and spiritual formation?
  2. What areas of life are you trying to 'stir up or awaken' prematurely rather than trusting God's timing?

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 3:5 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 3:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 2:7Song of Solomon 8:4Micah 4:8

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Song of Solomon 3 →

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