Song of solomon 2:17 - Until the day is cool, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be like a roe or a young deer on the mountains of Bether.
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What does "Song of solomon 2:17" mean?
This verse, Song of Solomon 2:17, is laden with romantic longing and poetic imagery. Let's break it down:
"Until the day is cool...": This refers to the late afternoon or early evening, when the heat of the day has subsided. It's a time often associated with rest, intimacy, and reunion after a day of separation. The "cool" also evokes a sense of calm and tranquility.
"...and the shadows flee away...": As the sun descends, the shadows lengthen and then eventually disappear. This could symbolize the worries and distractions of the day fading away, creating space for love and closeness. Metaphorically, it could also represent problems and difficulties disappearing.
"Turn, my beloved...": The speaker (likely the woman) is urging her lover to return to her. The word "turn" implies a physical turning, but also perhaps a turning of his attention and affection back to her.
"...and be like a roe or a young deer...": This is a beautiful simile used to describe the qualities the speaker desires in her lover. Roe deer and young deer are known for their:
Grace and Beauty: They are elegant and agile creatures.
Swiftness and Freedom: They move quickly and freely through the landscape.
Wildness and Naturalness: They embody a sense of untamed beauty and vitality.
Alertness and Watchfulness: They are ever aware of their surroundings.
"...on the mountains of Bether.": The mention of "mountains of Bether" adds a specific location, but its exact meaning is debated. Some scholars believe it might refer to a region known for its rugged terrain and wild beauty. The mountains themselves emphasize the freedom, wildness, and perhaps even a hint of danger or excitement associated with the deer imagery.
In Summary:
The verse is a plea for reunion and renewed passion. The woman longs for her lover to return to her in the cool of the evening, as the distractions of the day fade. She desires him to be filled with the qualities of a roe deer or young deer: grace, swiftness, freedom, and a wild, untamed spirit, as they meet on the wild and perhaps rugged "mountains of Bether."
Symbolic Interpretation:
Some interpreters also see deeper symbolic meanings:
God's Love: In a spiritual context, some see the "beloved" as representing God, and the verse as a longing for a deeper connection with Him. The fleeing shadows could represent spiritual darkness or doubt.
Spiritual Awakening: The call to "be like a roe or a young deer" could represent a call to embrace a more natural and authentic spiritual life, unburdened by the constraints of the world.
However, the most common and widely accepted interpretation remains rooted in the verse's powerful and evocative expression of romantic love and longing.
Song of solomon 2:17 - Until the day is cool, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be like a roe or a young deer on the mountains of Bether.
What does "Song of solomon 2:17" mean?
This verse, Song of Solomon 2:17, is laden with romantic longing and poetic imagery. Let's break it down:
"Until the day is cool...": This refers to the late afternoon or early evening, when the heat of the day has subsided. It's a time often associated with rest, intimacy, and reunion after a day of separation. The "cool" also evokes a sense of calm and tranquility.
"...and the shadows flee away...": As the sun descends, the shadows lengthen and then eventually disappear. This could symbolize the worries and distractions of the day fading away, creating space for love and closeness. Metaphorically, it could also represent problems and difficulties disappearing.
"Turn, my beloved...": The speaker (likely the woman) is urging her lover to return to her. The word "turn" implies a physical turning, but also perhaps a turning of his attention and affection back to her.
"...and be like a roe or a young deer...": This is a beautiful simile used to describe the qualities the speaker desires in her lover. Roe deer and young deer are known for their:
Grace and Beauty: They are elegant and agile creatures.
Swiftness and Freedom: They move quickly and freely through the landscape.
Wildness and Naturalness: They embody a sense of untamed beauty and vitality.
Alertness and Watchfulness: They are ever aware of their surroundings.
"...on the mountains of Bether.": The mention of "mountains of Bether" adds a specific location, but its exact meaning is debated. Some scholars believe it might refer to a region known for its rugged terrain and wild beauty. The mountains themselves emphasize the freedom, wildness, and perhaps even a hint of danger or excitement associated with the deer imagery.
In Summary:
The verse is a plea for reunion and renewed passion. The woman longs for her lover to return to her in the cool of the evening, as the distractions of the day fade. She desires him to be filled with the qualities of a roe deer or young deer: grace, swiftness, freedom, and a wild, untamed spirit, as they meet on the wild and perhaps rugged "mountains of Bether."
Symbolic Interpretation:
Some interpreters also see deeper symbolic meanings:
God's Love: In a spiritual context, some see the "beloved" as representing God, and the verse as a longing for a deeper connection with Him. The fleeing shadows could represent spiritual darkness or doubt.
Spiritual Awakening: The call to "be like a roe or a young deer" could represent a call to embrace a more natural and authentic spiritual life, unburdened by the constraints of the world.
However, the most common and widely accepted interpretation remains rooted in the verse's powerful and evocative expression of romantic love and longing.