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Song of Solomon / Chapter 3
The chapter traces a movement from nocturnal longing and searching to reunion, then to a public procession. Personal pursuit becomes communal spectacle, framed by a warning about timing and an invitation to look.
By night on my bed, I sought him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn`t find him.
I will get up now, and go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn`t find him.
The watchmen who go about the city found me; "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"
I had scarcely passed from them, When I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go, Until I had brought him into my mother`s house, Into the chamber of her who conceived me.
I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, or by the hinds of the field, That you not stir up, nor awaken love, Until it so desires.
Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all spices of the merchant?
Behold, it is Solomon`s carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, Of the mighty men of Israel.
They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, Because of fear in the night.
King Solomon made himself a carriage Of the wood of Lebanon.
He made its pillars of silver, Its bottom of gold, its seat of purple, Its midst being paved with love, From the daughters of Jerusalem.
Go forth, you daughters of Zion, and see king Solomon, With the crown with which his mother has crowned him, In the day of his weddings, In the day of the gladness of his heart. Lover
Song of Solomon journey ยท Song of Solomon 3
Full passage context
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Covenant love, beauty, longing, and delight are voiced through lyric poetry.
Movement
Love, beauty, and covenant delight
Artifact
Love poetry and garden imagery
Biblical Timeline
Kingdom
Song of Solomon context: 1000 BC - 586 BC
Song of Solomon context
Kingdom / 1000 BC - 586 BC
Song of Solomon context is set in the kingdom period, where Israel's monarchy from David and Solomon to exile.
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Context snapshot
Date
Solomonic setting, c. 970-930 BC
Genre
Lyric love poetry
Setting
Israel/Judah royal tradition
Audience
Israel
World Stage
Solomon, traditional attribution c. 970-930 BC
Song of Solomon is set in the imagery of royal, rural, garden, and city life in Israel. Its poetry celebrates love with heightened language rooted in created beauty and covenantal dignity.
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