Question 1

What does Song of Solomon 5:8 mean?

Accepted Answer

Song of Solomon 5:8 shows the woman urging the “daughters of Jerusalem” to tell her beloved, if they find him, that she is lovesick—overwhelmed with longing for him. The verse highlights her deep desire and emotional vulnerability as she searches for her beloved. In this scene, the woman is speaking to the young women of Jerusalem after being separated from her beloved. She passionately asks them to pass along her message, expressing that her love is so intense it feels like an illness. This moment captures the longing and earnestness that runs throughout the Song of Solomon, as well as the communal setting where others are drawn into her search.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 5:8

Accepted Answer

The word “charge” (שָׁבַע, shava‘) often means to make someone swear or solemnly urge them. Here, it shows the seriousness and intensity of her request to the daughters of Jerusalem. The phrase “sick of love” uses the word חוֹלָה (choláh, “sick”) with אַהֲבָה (ahaváh, “love”), painting a picture of love as something that can deeply affect or even overwhelm a person, not just a pleasant feeling but a powerful force.

Question 3

Why Song of Solomon 5:8 matters

Accepted Answer

Song of Solomon 5:8 shows that love in this book is not always easy or comfortable; it can involve longing, pain, and vulnerability. The verse draws the community (the “daughters of Jerusalem”) into the personal love story, showing that love’s struggles and hopes are witnessed and shared. This verse connects to the wider theme of seeking and finding in the Song of Solomon, emphasizing the emotional highs and lows of romantic love.

Song of Solomon 5:8 (KJV)