I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

SONG OF SOLOMON 3:2KJV
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Song of Solomon 3:2 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 3:2 mean?

Song of Solomon 3:2 describes a woman deciding to get up and search through the city streets and open areas to find the one she deeply loves, but despite her efforts, she cannot find him. The verse shows her longing and determination, but also her disappointment when her search is unsuccessful.

In this verse, the speaker is the woman (often called the Shulammite) expressing her restless desire to find her beloved. The scene is set at night, with her leaving the safety of her home to look for him in public places, which would have been unusual and risky for a woman in that culture. The verse paints a vivid picture of longing, vulnerability, and the deep emotional drive that love can bring.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 3:2

  • "Rise" (קוּם, qum): This word means to get up or stand, and it often signals a deliberate, determined action. Here, it highlights the woman's resolve to act on her longing rather than remain passive.
  • "Seek" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash): This word means to search for or try to obtain. The repetition of seeking in the verse emphasizes her active effort and the intensity of her desire.
  • "Soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This word refers to the inner self or life force. Saying "him whom my soul loveth" shows that her search is not just emotional but comes from the deepest part of her being.
  • "Loveth" (אָהַב, ahav): This common Hebrew word for love here points to a deep, personal attachment, not just a passing feeling.

Why Song of Solomon 3:2 matters

  • Song of Solomon 3:2 clears up the idea that love in this book is passive or only about feelings; it shows love as active, searching, and sometimes frustrated.
  • The verse highlights the risks and vulnerability involved in seeking love, especially against social expectations, which adds depth to the woman's character.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by setting up the emotional intensity and anticipation that leads to the eventual reunion, making the joy of finding the beloved even more meaningful.

Where else these words appear

“streets” Hebrew H7784 · used in 4 verses

  • Proverbs 7:8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
  • Ecclesiastes 12:4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
  • Ecclesiastes 12:5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

“ways” Hebrew H7339 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Esther 6:9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
  • Jeremiah 9:21 For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.

“about” Hebrew H5437 · used in 147 verses

  • Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
  • 2 Samuel 18:30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
  • Psalms 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.