I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.

SONG OF SOLOMON 5:8KJV
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Song of Solomon 5:8 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 5:8 mean?

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.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 5:8

  • 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.

Why Song of Solomon 5:8 matters

  • 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.

Where else these words appear

“love” Hebrew H160 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
  • Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
  • Song of Solomon 8:4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.

“beloved” Hebrew H1730 · used in 53 verses

  • Leviticus 10:4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.
  • Song of Solomon 1:16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.
  • Song of Solomon 6:1 Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.

“sick” Hebrew H2470 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 48:1 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
  • 2 Kings 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
  • Isaiah 39:1 At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.