King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 5:7 Mean?

Song of Solomon 5:7 in the King James Version says “The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my ve...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.”

Song of Solomon 5:7 · KJV

Context

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

6

I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

7

The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

8

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love. that ye: Heb. what, etc

9

What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

Read Song of Solomon 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me (metsauni hashomrim hasovevim bair hikuni petsauni, מְצָאוּנִי הַשֹּׁמְרִים הַסֹּבְבִים בָּעִיר הִכּוּנִי פְצָעוּנִי)—the bride, searching desperately for her beloved through the city, encounters hostile watchmen. Those who should protect her instead abuse her. The verbs hikuni (הִכּוּנִי, they struck me) and petsauni (פְצָעוּנִי, they wounded me) describe physical violence.

The keepers of the walls took away my veil from me (nas'u et redidi me'alay shomrey hachamot, נָשְׂאוּ אֶת־רְדִידִי מֵעָלַי שֹׁמְרֵי הַחֹמוֹת)—removing the veil brought public shame and vulnerability. This painful episode teaches that passionate pursuit of the Beloved sometimes brings misunderstanding, opposition, and suffering. Religious authorities ("watchmen") sometimes wound genuine seekers. Zealous pursuit of Christ may bring persecution even from religious people.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

City watchmen patrolled at night, protecting citizens and maintaining order. A lone woman wandering at night would be suspected of prostitution or illicit activity, explaining the watchmen's hostility. The bride's legitimate seeking was misunderstood as shameful behavior. Removing her veil compounded the shame—exposing her publicly, treating her as immoral. This same hostile treatment appears earlier (3:3) but with less violence. Early church fathers saw this as believers suffering persecution from religious authorities—synagogue leaders opposing early Christians, or institutional church persecuting reformers. The "watchmen" who should protect God's people sometimes wound them. The Reformers experienced this literally—Catholic authorities persecuting Protestant reformers. The Puritans knew that passionate pursuit of God sometimes brings opposition from nominal Christians or dead religion. Modern readers recognize that zealous faith often faces criticism from cultural Christianity.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have "watchmen"—religious authorities or nominal Christians—misunderstood or opposed your passionate pursuit of deeper fellowship with Christ?
  2. How should believers respond when legitimate spiritual seeking brings misunderstanding, opposition, or suffering?
  3. What does this verse teach about the potential cost of desperate, public pursuit of Christ—and is He worth that cost?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
מְצָאֻ֧נִי1 of 12

“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

שֹׁמְרֵ֖י2 of 12

“The watchmen”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

הַסֹּבְבִ֥ים3 of 12

“that went about”

H5437

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

בָּעִ֖יר4 of 12

“the city”

H5892

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

הִכּ֣וּנִי5 of 12

“me they smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

פְצָע֑וּנִי6 of 12

“me they wounded”

H6481

to split, i.e., wound

נָשְׂא֤וּ7 of 12

“took away”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת8 of 12
H853

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

רְדִידִי֙9 of 12

“my veil”

H7289

a veil (as expanded)

מֵֽעָלַ֔י10 of 12
H5921

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

שֹׁמְרֵ֖י11 of 12

“The watchmen”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

הַחֹמֽוֹת׃12 of 12

“of the walls”

H2346

a wall of protection

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 5:7 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 5:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 3:31 Peter 4:14-16Matthew 23:29-36Hebrews 12:2Psalms 141:52 Corinthians 11:13

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