Song of Solomon 5:3 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 5:3 mean?

Song of Solomon 5:3 shows the woman hesitating to open the door for her beloved because she has already taken off her coat and washed her feet, and she is reluctant to get up and become unclean again. The verse captures a moment of hesitation and inconvenience, revealing her inner thoughts as she considers whether to respond to her beloved’s request.

In this scene, the woman (the Shulammite) is speaking to herself as her beloved knocks at the door late at night. She has already prepared for bed, having removed her outer garment and washed her feet, which in her culture would make her reluctant to get up and dirty herself again. The verse gives a glimpse into her private reasoning and the small barriers that can come between loved ones, even when the desire to be together is strong.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 5:3

• "off" (פָּשַׁט, pāshaṭ): This word means to take off or strip off, especially clothing. The woman’s use of this word emphasizes that she has already settled in for the night, making her reluctance more understandable.
• "coat" (כֻּתֹּנֶת, kuttōnet): This refers to an inner garment or tunic, not just an outer coat. It shows she is not simply inconvenienced, but has made herself comfortable and is not dressed to receive visitors.
• "defile" (טָפַר, tāpar): This word means to soil or make dirty. Her concern about defiling her feet after washing them highlights the practical, everyday reasons for her hesitation, not just emotional ones.

Why Song of Solomon 5:3 matters

• The verse clears up the idea that the woman is being cold or rejecting her beloved; instead, it shows a very human moment of hesitation due to comfort and routine.
• Song of Solomon 5:3 adds realism to the relationship, showing that even deep affection can be interrupted by small, relatable obstacles.
• This moment of hesitation sets up the tension in the following verses, where the woman’s delay leads to a missed opportunity and longing, which is a key theme in the wider passage.