King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 5:8 Mean?

Song of Solomon 5:8 in the King James Version says “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. w...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Song of Solomon 5:8 · King James Version

Love

Context

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I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.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

10

My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. the chiefest: Heb. a standard bearer

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Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love (hishbati etkhem benot yerushalayim im timtse'u et dodi mah tagidu lo shecholat ahavah ani, הִשְׁבַּעְתִּי אֶתְכֶם בְּנוֹת יְרוּשָׁלָיִם אִם־תִּמְצְאוּ אֶת־דּוֹדִי מַה־תַּגִּידוּ לוֹ שֶׁחוֹלַת אַהֲבָה אָנִי)—the desperate bride solicits help from others. The verb hishbati (הִשְׁבַּעְתִּי, I adjure/charge) creates solemn urgency. She begs them: if you find him, tell him I am "sick of love" (cholat ahavah, חוֹלַת אַהֲבָה).

"Sick of love" means lovesick—overwhelmed with longing, grieved by absence. The same phrase appeared in 2:5 but in context of joyful overwhelming; here it describes painful yearning. The bride has learned through loss how desperately she needs her beloved. Her earlier complacency ("I have put off my coat") has been replaced by all-consuming desire. This teaches that experiencing Christ's absence—feeling His withdrawal—often produces deeper passion than taking His presence for granted.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The "daughters of Jerusalem" represent the bride's companions or community. Calling on them to find the beloved and convey her message demonstrates both humility (asking for help) and urgency (recruiting all possible assistance). Being "sick of love" conveyed serious condition—love as illness or wound, overwhelming normal functioning. This echoes earlier usage (2:5) but with painful rather than joyful tone. Early church fathers saw this as believers calling on fellow Christians to seek Christ corporately when individual seeking seems fruitless. The community bears witness to the seeking soul's desperate love. The Reformers emphasized that believers should openly confess their spiritual state—acknowledging need, seeking prayer support. The Puritans taught that Christian community exists partly to help lovesick souls find Christ again—bearing witness, praying together, encouraging persistence. Modern readers recognize the value of vulnerable community—admitting spiritual struggle and seeking help.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you experienced being "sick of love"—so aware of Christ's absence or distance that it overwhelms you with yearning?
  2. How does the bride's public, vulnerable confession ("tell him I am sick of love") challenge prideful self-sufficiency in your spiritual life?
  3. What role does Christian community play in helping you seek and find Christ when He seems distant or absent?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי1 of 14

“I charge”

H7650

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

אֶתְכֶ֖ם2 of 14
H853

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

בְּנ֣וֹת3 of 14

“you O daughters”

H1323

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

יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם4 of 14

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אִֽם5 of 14
H518

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

תִּמְצְאוּ֙6 of 14

“if ye find”

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

אֶת7 of 14
H853

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

דּוֹדִ֔י8 of 14

“my beloved”

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

מַה9 of 14
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תַּגִּ֣ידוּ10 of 14

“that ye tell”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

ל֔וֹ11 of 14
H0
שֶׁחוֹלַ֥ת12 of 14

“him that I am sick”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

אַהֲבָ֖ה13 of 14

“of love”

H160

love

אָֽנִי׃14 of 14
H589

i

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 5:8 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 5:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 2:7Song of Solomon 2:5Song of Solomon 3:5Psalms 42:1-3Psalms 77:1-3Romans 15:30

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Song of Solomon 5 →

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