Song of Solomon 2:17

“Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.”

Context:The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, is a poetic book found in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is traditionally attributed to King Solomon and is a collection of love poems between a bride (the Shulammite woman) and her bridegroom (Solomon). The book uses vivid imagery and metaphors to depict the beauty of romantic love and the longing between the bride and groom.

Interpretation:In Song of Solomon 2:17, the bride is speaking to her beloved, expressing her desire for him to come to her. The verse is filled with picturesque language and symbolism.

a. "Until the day break":

The bride eagerly awaits the coming of a new day, symbolizing the anticipation of being reunited with her beloved. It implies that she longs for the darkness and separation to end, desiring the dawn of a new day and the presence of her beloved.

b. "And the shadows flee away":

The bride desires for the shadows, representing the obstacles, doubts, or uncertainties that may be separating them, to vanish. She longs for a time when nothing stands between them, when their love can flourish without hindrance.

c. "Turn, my beloved":

Here, the bride implores her beloved to turn his attention toward her. It suggests a longing for his presence and affection, seeking an intimate connection with him.

d. "Be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether":

The bride compares her beloved to a swift and agile animal, such as a roe (female deer) or a young hart (male deer), traversing the mountains of Bether. This imagery portrays her desire for him to come to her quickly, with grace and swiftness.

Application:

• Longing for God’s presence:Like the bride in the passage, we should have a deep longing for the presence of God in our lives. We should eagerly anticipate the coming of a new day, a time when we can experience a deeper relationship with Him.
• Removing obstacles:The bride desires for the shadows to flee away, indicating the need for obstacles or hindrances to be removed in our relationship with God. We should seek to identify and address anything that hinders our intimacy with Him, such as sin, doubt, or distractions.
• Pursuit of God’s presence:The bride’s plea for her beloved to turn towards her reminds us of the importance of actively pursuing God’s presence. We should continually seek after Him, desiring to know Him more intimately and experience His love and grace in our lives.
• Swiftness and agility:The bride’s desire for her beloved to be like a swift animal highlights the urgency of our pursuit of God. We should approach Him with eagerness and fervor, not delaying or hesitating in seeking Him.

In summary, Song of Solomon 2:17 portrays the bride’s intense longing for her beloved and her desire for their union. It reminds us of the deep longing we should have for God’s presence and the need to actively pursue Him, removing any obstacles that hinder our relationship with Him.