Song of Solomon 2:7 Meaning: Let Love Wake When It Pleases
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.
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.
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.
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!
I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, till he please.
Meaning in one sentence
What does Song of Solomon 2:7 mean? It warns against forcing love before its time. A gentle reminder to trust the natural rhythm of genuine affection.
Context
The Song of Solomon is a poetic book that celebrates the beauty of romantic love. In chapter 2, the woman rests in her beloved’s embrace, savoring the closeness of the moment. She turns to the daughters of Jerusalem, likely her companions or attendants, and gives them a solemn charge. The same refrain appears again in chapters 3 and 8, marking it as a central theme of the whole poem. Something precious is being protected here. The woman does not want anyone to disturb the peace she has found, nor does she want love to be forced into existence before its time.
Key Words
The word rendered adjure (hishba'ti) is a strong form: to put someone under oath. This is not a casual request. The woman speaks with urgency, as if protecting something fragile. She swears by the gazelles and the does of the field, creatures known for grace, beauty, and timidity. In Hebrew culture, swearing by an animal was unusual; here it is poetic, drawing on the animals’ shy, easily startled nature to say: handle love the same way. The verbs awaken and arouse (ta'iru and te'or'ru) both come from a root meaning to rouse or stir up. The form is causative: don’t make love happen. Let it come awake on its own, when it is ready.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse in two main ways. Many see it as the bride speaking, cautioning the daughters of Jerusalem not to try to manufacture romantic feelings. The love she refers to is the emotion itself, not a person, it must not be forced before its natural time (Barnes, Cambridge). Others, including some older commentators, read it as Christ speaking to the church, warning believers not to disturb the soul’s rest in Him (Gill, Matthew Henry). In allegorical traditions, the verse teaches patience in spiritual life: do not rush God's work. Both approaches agree that love, whether human or divine, is too tender to be pushed.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think this verse forbids any expression of romantic interest or treats love as something that should never be initiated. In fact, the verse warns against forcing love to awaken, not against love itself. The verbs are causative: do not cause love to stir. The phrase “until it so desires” shows that love has its own will and timing. The command is about patience, not passivity.
Living This Out
Maybe you feel pressure to move a relationship forward, or you are anxious because love has not come yet. This verse gives you permission to wait. Do not try to manufacture feelings or push someone into a commitment before they are ready. If you are single, do not let the fear of being left behind drive you to force something that is not there. Let love wake when it pleases. That takes trust, trust in God’s timing and in the natural rhythm of genuine affection. Patience is not failure; it is wisdom.
Main takeaway: Love is too tender to be forced; it must be allowed to awaken at its own pace, in its own time.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
This verse says not to wake up love before it is ready. It is like not waking a sleeping puppy, you let it wake up on its own. Love is special, and we should be patient for the right time.
For ages 9, 12
This verse is about not forcing romantic feelings before the right moment. The woman in the poem tells her friends not to stir up love or awaken it until it wants to be awake. That means we should not try to make someone like us, or rush into a relationship just because we are impatient. Real love grows naturally, like a flower. It is a gentle thing, and it deserves to come on its own. You can trust God to bring the right relationships at the right time.
Questions People Ask
Who is speaking in Song of Solomon 2:7?
Most modern commentators believe the bride (the Shulamite woman) is speaking to the daughters of Jerusalem. Some older interpreters read it as the bridegroom speaking. The verse itself does not name the speaker, but the context of the woman's intimate words in the surrounding verses makes her the likely voice.
What does it mean to adjure by the roes and hinds?
The woman puts her friends under a solemn oath, using gazelles and does as her witness. These animals were symbols of grace, beauty, and timidity. By swearing by them, she emphasizes that love should be treated with the same gentleness and respect you would give a shy, wild creature. It is a poetic way of saying, “Do not startle or force love.”
Why does this same verse appear three times in Song of Solomon?
The refrain appears in 2:7, 3:5, and 8:4. It functions as a closing line for key sections of the poem. Each time it marks a moment of rest or satisfaction, and it reinforces the book’s central lesson: genuine love cannot be manipulated or rushed. It must arise on its own.
Does this verse mean we should never express romantic interest?
No. The verse warns against forcing love before it is ready, not against all expressions of affection. The verbs are causative: do not make love awaken. Healthy relationships involve honest communication and mutual care, but they should not be pushed beyond what is natural and mutual.
How do Christians apply this verse to dating relationships?
Many apply it as a principle of patience. Do not rush physical or emotional intimacy. Let the relationship develop at a pace that respects both people’s feelings and readiness. Trust that if love is genuine, it will deepen in its own time. This verse invites humility and trust in God’s timing rather than anxious striving.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study