Song of Solomon 3:5
New International Version
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

New Living Translation
Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right. Young Women of Jerusalem

English Standard Version
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.

Berean Standard Bible
O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.

King James Bible
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

New King James Version
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the does of the field, Do not stir up nor awaken love Until it pleases.

New American Standard Bible
“Swear to me, you daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the does of the field, That you will not disturb or awaken my love Until she pleases.”

NASB 1995
“I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you will not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases.”

NASB 1977
“I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you will not arouse or awaken my love, Until she pleases.”

Legacy Standard Bible
“I call you to solemnly swear, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you do not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases.”

Amplified Bible
“I command that you take an oath, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the does of the field, That you do not rouse nor awaken my love Until she pleases.”

Christian Standard Bible
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. Narrator

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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. N

American Standard Version
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.

Contemporary English Version
Young women of Jerusalem, promise me by the power of deer and gazelles, never to awaken love before it is ready.

English Revised Version
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awaken love, until it please.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Young women of Jerusalem, swear to me by the gazelles or by the does in the field, that you will not awaken love or arouse love before its proper time.

Good News Translation
Promise me, women of Jerusalem; swear by the swift deer and the gazelles that you will not interrupt our love.

International Standard Version
Swear to me, young women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, that you won't awaken or arouse love before its proper time!

Majority Standard Bible
O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.

NET Bible
I admonish you, O maidens of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and by the young does of the open fields: "Do not awake or arouse love until it pleases!"

New Heart English Bible
I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, or by the does of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

Webster's Bible Translation
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

World English Bible
I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up nor awaken love, until it so desires.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, "" By the roes or by the does of the field, "" Do not stir up nor wake the love until she pleases!

Young's Literal Translation
I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes or by the hinds of the field, Stir not up nor wake the love till she please!

Smith's Literal Translation
I adjured you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, if ye shall awake and if ye shall arouse love till he shall desire.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and the harts of the fields, that you stir not up, nor awake my beloved, till she please.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Groom to Chorus: I bind you by oath, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the does and the stags of the open field, not to disturb or awaken the beloved, until she wills.

New American Bible
I adjure you, Daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and the does of the field, Do not awaken or stir up love until it is ready.

New Revised Standard Version
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild does: do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the young roes of the field, that you stir not up nor awake my love till it please.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I charge you daughters of Jerusalem by the deer or by the stags of the field, do not rise and wake up love until she pleases
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles, and by the hinds of the field, That ye awaken not, nor stir up love, Until it please.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I have charged you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the powers and by the virtues of the field, that ye rouse not nor awake my love, until he please.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Bride's Dream
4I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let go until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the chamber of the one who conceived me. 5O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.

Cross References
Song of Solomon 2:7
O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.

Song of Solomon 8:4
O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.

Proverbs 6:9
How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?

Ecclesiastes 3:1
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Jeremiah 31:26
At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been most pleasant to me.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

James 5:7-8
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. / You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.

1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

Hebrews 4:9-11
There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. / For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. / Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. / Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.


Treasury of Scripture

I charge you, O you daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that you stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

Song of Solomon 2:7
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

Song of Solomon 8:4
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.

Micah 4:8
And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.

Jump to Previous
Adjure Adjured Arouse Awake Awaken Charge Daughters Desires Field Gazelles Hinds Jerusalem Love Moved Please Pleases Roes Stir Wake
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Adjure Adjured Arouse Awake Awaken Charge Daughters Desires Field Gazelles Hinds Jerusalem Love Moved Please Pleases Roes Stir Wake
Song of Solomon 3
1. the church's fight and victory in temptation
6. The church glories in Christ














O daughters of Jerusalem
This phrase addresses the women of Jerusalem, symbolizing a collective audience or community. In the context of ancient Israel, Jerusalem was the heart of religious and cultural life. The "daughters" could represent the young women of the city, possibly serving as a metaphor for purity and innocence. The Hebrew word for "daughters" (בָּנוֹת, banot) often signifies a close-knit community, suggesting a shared understanding or experience among these women.

I adjure you
The term "adjure" (שָׁבַע, shava) is a strong plea or command, often invoking a solemn oath. In biblical times, oaths were serious commitments, binding the speaker and the listener to a promise before God. This phrase indicates the gravity and earnestness of the speaker's request, emphasizing the importance of the message that follows.

by the gazelles and the does of the field
Gazelles and does are symbols of beauty, grace, and swiftness in the ancient Near Eastern context. These animals are often associated with natural beauty and the untamed wilderness. The invocation of these creatures suggests a connection to the natural order and the divine creation, highlighting the purity and sanctity of the love being discussed. The imagery evokes a sense of harmony and balance in creation, reflecting the ideal state of love.

Do not arouse or awaken love
This phrase serves as a cautionary directive. The Hebrew words for "arouse" (עוֹרֵר, orer) and "awaken" (עוּר, ur) imply stirring or prematurely bringing something to life. In the context of love, this suggests that love should not be forced or rushed. The wisdom here is to allow love to develop naturally and in its own time, respecting its sacred and powerful nature.

until the time is right
Timing is crucial in the biblical understanding of love. The phrase underscores the importance of patience and divine timing. The Hebrew concept of "time" (עֵת, et) often refers to an appointed or appropriate moment. This reflects a trust in God's perfect timing and plan for relationships. The message is one of waiting for the right moment, when love can flourish in its fullness and beauty, according to God's design.

Verse 5. - I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awaken love, until it please. This is the refrain which divides the poem. We thus perceive that the whole of the preceding passage has been uttered by the bride in the presence of the ladies. There is no occasion to connect a refrain very closely with the words which go before it. Like the ancient Greek chorus, it may express a general sentiment in harmony with the pervading feeling of the whole composition. In this case it seems to be a general note of praise, celebrating the preciousness of pure, spontaneous affection. There have been several beautiful and celebrated imitations of this first part of Solomon's Song, though they all fall far short of the original. Paul Gerhard has caught its spirit; Laurentius has copied it in his Advent Hymn. Watts, in bk. 1:66-78 of his 'Divine gongs;' 'Lyra Germanica;' Schaff's 'Christian Song;' and Miss Havergal, in some of her compositions, will furnish examples. Delitzsch quotes an ancient Latin imitation -

"Quando tandem venies, meus amor?
Propera de Libano, dulcis amor!
Clamat, amat, sponsula. Veni, Jesu;
Dulcis veni Jesu."
This ends Part II., which sets before us the lovely beginning of this ideal love. We must then suppose that the writer imagines himself in Jerusalem, as though one of the court ladies, at the time that Solomon the king returns from the north, bringing with him his bride elect. We pass, therefore, from the banqueting chamber, and recall the scenes which accompanied the arrival of Shulamith at Jerusalem. The remainder of the poem is simply the celebration of married love, the delight of the bridegroom in the bride and of the bride in her husband. The whole book concerns a bride, and not one who is about to be made a bride. Here the dream which is introduced is not the dream of a lover awaiting the beloved one, but the dream of a young wife whose bridegroom tarries. The third part is the nuptial rejoicings; the fourth part is the reminiscence of love days or of the early married life; and the fifth part, which is a conclusion, is a visit of Solomon and his bride to the country home of the latter, pointing to the depth and reality of the influence which this pure maiden had upon his royal nature.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
O daughters
בְּנ֤וֹת (bə·nō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Jerusalem,
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

I charge
הִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי (hiš·ba‘·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

you
אֶתְכֶ֜ם (’eṯ·ḵem)
Direct object marker | second person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

by the gazelles
בִּצְבָא֔וֹת (biṣ·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6643: Splendor, a gazelle

and
א֖וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

does
בְּאַיְל֣וֹת (bə·’ay·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 355: A doe, female deer

of the field:
הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

Do not
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

arouse
תָּעִ֧ירוּ ׀ (tā·‘î·rū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5782: To rouse oneself, awake

or
וְֽאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

awaken
תְּעֽוֹרְר֛וּ (tə·‘ō·wr·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5782: To rouse oneself, awake

love
הָאַהֲבָ֖ה (hā·’a·hă·ḇāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 160: Love (noun)

until
עַ֥ד (‘aḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the time is right.
שֶׁתֶּחְפָּֽץ׃ (šet·teḥ·pāṣ)
Verb
Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 3:5 I adjure you daughters of Jerusalem (Song Songs SS So Can)
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