Song of Songs 3:5

5 Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you, by the gazelles and the wild does of the field: do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time.^[a][b]

Song of Songs 3:5 Meaning and Commentary

Song of Solomon 3:5

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem
Which are either the words of Christ, adjuring the young converts not to disturb the church; who had now Christ in her arms, taking repose with him, being wearied with running about in search of him: or they are the words of the church; who having experienced a long absence of Christ, and having been at much pains in search of him, and now had found him, was very unwilling to part with him; and fearing these young converts should by any unbecoming word or action provoke him to depart, she gives them a solemn charge; by the roes and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor
awake my love, till he please; (See Gill on Song of Solomon 2:7).

Song of Songs 3:5 In-Context

3 The guards who go about the city found me. "Have you seen the one I love?" [I asked them].

4 I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held on to him and would not let him go until I brought him to my mother's house- to the chamber of the one who conceived me.

5 Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you, by the gazelles and the wild does of the field: do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time.

6 What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from every fragrant powder of the merchant?

7 It is Solomon's royal litter surrounded by 60 warriors from the mighty of Israel.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit until it pleases
• [b] Sg 2:7; 5:8; 8:4