Song of Solomon 8:3-4

Double Refrain: Embrace and Adjuration

3 His left [hand is] under my head, and his right [hand] embraces me.
4 I adjure you, {O maidens of Jerusalem}, do not arouse or awaken love until it pleases!

Song of Solomon 8:3-4 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 8

This chapter begins with an ardent wish of the church for a free and intimate converse with Christ; declaring what she would do to him, and for him, should she have such an interview with him, So 8:1,2; what familiarity should be between them, So 8:3; charging the daughters of Jerusalem not to give him any disturbance, So 8:4. Upon which they inquire who she was that was in such a posture they saw her in, So 8:5; when the church, instead of giving them an answer, says some things concerning her beloved, on whom they saw her leaning; and makes some requests to him for more nearness to him, and manifestations of his love to her; urged from the strength her love and affections to him, which was invincible, So 8:6,7. Next follows a speech of the church about her little sister; expressing a concern for her, and what she would do to her and with her, So 8:8,9; and the answer of the little sister, declaring what she, was, and what she enjoyed, So 8:10; then the words of the church again, concerning her husband's vineyard; the place, keepers, and profit of it, So 8:11,12. And the chapter, and with it the Song, is concluded with a request of Christ to the church, that he might hear her voice, So 8:13; and with a petition of hers to him, that he would come quickly to her, So 8:14.

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. Or "embraced"
  • [b]. Literally "O daughters of Jerusalem"
  • [c]. Or "Why must you ... before it pleases?"
  • [d]. Or "Do not stir up or awaken the love until it is willing," or "Do not disturb or interrupt [our] lovemaking until it is satisfied"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.