King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 5:3 Mean?

Song of Solomon 5:3 in the King James Version says “I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?”

Song of Solomon 5:3 · KJV

Context

1

I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. yea: or, and be drunken with loves

2

I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

3

I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

4

My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. for him: or, (as some read) in me

5

I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. sweet: Heb. passing, or, running about

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? (pashatni et kutanti eykhah elbashena rachatsti et raglai eykhah atanaphem, פָּשַׁטְתִּי אֶת־כֻּתָּנְתִּי אֵיכָכָה אֶלְבָּשֶׁנָּה רָחַצְתִּי אֶת־רַגְלַי אֵיכָכָה אֲטַנְּפֵם)—this verse depicts the bride's reluctant hesitation when her beloved knocks (verse 2). She's prepared for sleep, undressed, feet washed. Her excuses reveal comfortable complacency: "how shall I...?" questions express unwillingness to inconvenience herself.

This poignant moment captures spiritual danger: responding to Christ's call with "not now" because of comfort, tiredness, or settled routine. The excuses seem reasonable—she has legitimate nighttime preparations—yet they reveal priority problems. Convenience trumps devotion. This teaches that comfortable Christianity resists disruption, even when the Beloved knocks. The bride will soon regret her hesitation (verse 6). This moment warns against complacency that delays response to Christ's immediate invitations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern homes typically had simple sleeping arrangements. Removing outer garments and washing feet (dusty from sandals) were standard preparations for sleep. The bride's excuses reflect genuine inconvenience—but also reveal misplaced priorities. Early church fathers saw this as the soul's tragic reluctance to respond immediately to Christ's call—making excuses (too comfortable, too tired, too settled) when He invites deeper fellowship. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: Felix saying "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" (Acts 24:25)—convenience never came. The Reformers warned against presuming on grace—responding "later" to spiritual conviction often means never responding. The Puritans emphasized immediate obedience to the Spirit's promptings—delayed obedience is disobedience.

Reflection Questions

  1. What comfortable routines or convenient excuses keep you from immediate response when Christ knocks, inviting deeper fellowship or obedience?
  2. How does the bride's soon-coming regret (verse 6) warn you about the cost of delayed or half-hearted response to spiritual invitations?
  3. What practices help you maintain spiritual alertness and readiness to respond immediately to Christ, even when inconvenient?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
פָּשַׁ֙טְתִּי֙1 of 10

“I have put off”

H6584

to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

אֶת2 of 10
H853

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

כֻּתָּנְתִּ֔י3 of 10

“my coat”

H3801

a shirt

אֵיכָ֥כָה4 of 10

“how”

H349

how? or how!; also where

אֶלְבָּשֶׁ֑נָּה5 of 10

“shall I put it on”

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

רָחַ֥צְתִּי6 of 10

“I have washed”

H7364

to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)

אֶת7 of 10
H853

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

רַגְלַ֖י8 of 10

“my feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

אֵיכָ֥כָה9 of 10

“how”

H349

how? or how!; also where

אֲטַנְּפֵֽם׃10 of 10

“shall I defile”

H2936

to soil

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 5:3 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 5:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 11:7Proverbs 3:28Matthew 26:38-43Romans 7:22-23Proverbs 22:13Matthew 25:5

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