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ParallelVerse GENEXOLEVNUMDEUJOBJOSJDGRUTH1 SAM2 SAMPSAAMOSHOS1 KI2 KI1 CHR2 CHRPROVECCSNGJOELMICISAZEPHABJERLAMYNA (JNA)NAHOBADANEZEEZRAESTNEHHAGZECMALLAOGESLESESGDNG2 PSTOBJDTWISSIRBARLJEPAZSUSBELMAN1 MAC2 MAC3 MAC4 MACYHN (JHN)MARKMATLUKEACTsYAC (JAM)GAL1 TH2 TH1 COR2 CORROMCOLPHMEPHPHP1 TIMTIT1 PET2 PET2 TIMHEBYUD (JUD)1 YHN (1 JHN)2 YHN (2 JHN)3 YHN (3 JHN)REV

Sng IntroC1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8

Sng 2 V1V2V3V4V5V6V8V9V10V11V12V13V14V15V16V17

Parallel SNG 2:7

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

BI Sng 2:7 ©

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal(All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV)Promise me, you young women from Yerushalem
 ⇔ by the female gazelles or the does in the countryside,
 ⇔ don’t awaken or stir love until it’s the right time.OET logo mark

OET-LVI_adjure you(pl) Oh_daughters_of Yərūshālam/(Jerusalem) by_gazelles or by_the_does_of the_field if you(pl)_will_awaken and_if you(pl)_will_arouse DOM (the)_love until that_it_will_please.
OET logo mark

UHBהִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי אֶתְ⁠כֶ֜ם בְּנ֤וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ בִּ⁠צְבָא֔וֹת א֖וֹ בְּ⁠אַיְל֣וֹת הַ⁠שָּׂדֶ֑ה אִם־תָּעִ֧ירוּ ׀ וְֽ⁠אִם־תְּעֽוֹרְר֛וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אַהֲבָ֖ה עַ֥ד שֶׁ⁠תֶּחְפָּֽץ׃ס
   (hishbaˊtī ʼet⁠kem bənōt yərūshālaim bi⁠ʦəⱱāʼōt ʼō bə⁠ʼaylōt ha⁠ssādeh ʼim-tāˊirū və⁠ʼim-təˊōrə ʼet-hā⁠ʼahₐⱱāh ˊad she⁠tteḩpāʦ)

Key: khaki:verbs.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXXὭρκισα ὑμᾶς θυγατέρες Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐν δυνάμεσι καὶ ἐν ἰσχύσεσι τοῦ ἀγροῦ· ἐὰν ἐγείρητε καὶ ἐξεγείρητε τὴν ἀγάπην ἕως οὗ θελήσῃ.
   (Hōrkisa humas thugateres Hierousalaʸm en dunamesi kai en isⱪusesi tou agrou; ean egeiraʸte kai exegeiraʸte taʸn agapaʸn heōs hou thelaʸsaʸ. )

BrTrI have charged you, ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the powers and by the virtues of the field, that ye do not rouse or wake my love, until he please.

ULTI adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem,
 ⇔ by the female gazelles or the does of the field,
 ⇔ do not awaken nor stir love
 ⇔ until it desires.
 ⇔ 

USTYou young women of Jerusalem,
 ⇔ I want you to solemnly promise me, while the female gazelles and female deer are listening,
 ⇔ that you will not cause people to love romantically
 ⇔ until it is the right time.

BSBO daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you
 ⇔ by the gazelles and does of the field:
 ⇔ Do not arouse or awaken love
 ⇔ until the time is right.

MSB (Same as BSB above)


OEBNo OEB SNG book available

WEBBEI 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.

WMBB (Same as above)

NETI adjure you, O maidens of Jerusalem,
 ⇔ by the gazelles and by the young does of the open fields:
 ⇔ Do not awaken or arouse love until it pleases!

LSVI have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem,
By the roes or by the does of the field,
Do not stir up nor wake the love until she pleases!

FBVWomen of Jerusalem, swear to me by the gazelles or the wild deer that you won't disturb[fn] our love until the right time.


2:7 “Rouse” or “awaken” in the sense of “interrupt.” Since it's clear that love is already “awakened” in this situation, it seems that the woman is asking for privacy.

T4T  ⇔ You young women of Jerusalem,
 ⇔ solemnly promise me, while the does and gazelles are listening, that you will not
 ⇔ disturb us while we are making love
 ⇔ until we are ready to quit.

LEB   • I adjure you, O maidens of Jerusalem ,[fn] by the gazelles or by the does of the field,
 •  do not arouse or awaken love until it pleases![fn]


2:? Literally “O daughters of Jerusalem”

2:? Or “Do not stir up or awaken the love until it is willing,” or “Do not disturb or interrupt our lovemaking until it is satisfied”

BBEI say to you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes of the field, do not let love be moved till it is ready.

MoffO maidens of Jerusalem, I charge you,
 ⇔ by the roe-deer and the hinds
 ⇔ never rouse lovers, never stir them,
 ⇔ till they are satisfied.
¶ 

JPS'I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, and by the hinds of the field, that ye awaken not, nor stir up love, until it please.'

ASV  ⇔ I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
 ⇔ By the roes, or by the hinds of the field,
 ⇔ That ye stir not up, nor awake my love,
 ⇔ Until he please.

DRAI adjure you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and the harts of the, fields, that you stir not up, nor make the beloved to awake, till she please.

YLTI have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes or by the hinds of the field, Stir not up nor wake the love till she please!

DrbyI charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, till he please.

RVI adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awaken love, until it please.
   (I adjure you, Oh daughters of Yerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds/does of the field, that ye/you_all stir not up, nor awaken love, until it please. )

SLTI adjured you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, if ye shall awake and if ye shall arouse love till he shall desire.

WbstrI charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not, nor awake my love, till he please.

KJB-1769I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.[fn]
   (I charge you, Oh ye/you_all daughters of Yerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds/does of the field, that ye/you_all stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. )


2.7 I charge…: Heb. I adjure you

KJB-1611[fn]I charge you, O ye daughters of Ierusalem, by the Roes, and by the hindes of the field, that ye stirre not vp, nor awake my loue, till she please.
   (I charge you, Oh ye/you_all daughters of Yerusalem, by the Roes, and by the hinds/does of the field, that ye/you_all stir not up, nor awake my love, till she please.)


2:7 Heb. I adiure you.

BshpsHis left hande lyeth vnder my head, and his right hande shall imbrace me.
   (His left hand lieth/lies under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me.)

GnvaI charge you, O daughters of Ierusalem, by the roes and by the hindes of the fielde, that ye stirre not vp, nor waken my loue, vntill she please.
   (I charge you, Oh daughters of Yerusalem, by the roes and by the hinds/does of the field, that ye/you_all stir not up, nor waken my love, until she please. )

CvdlI charge you (o ye doughters of Ierusalem (by the Roes & hyndes of the felde, yt ye wake not vp my loue ner touch her, till she be content herself.
   (I charge you (o ye/you_all daughters of Yerusalem (by the Roes and hinds/does of the field, it ye/you_all wake not up my love nor touch her, till she be content herself.)

WyclYe douytris of Jerusalem, Y charge you greetli, bi capretis, and hertis of feeldis, that ye reise not, nether make to awake the dereworthe spousesse, til sche wole. The vois of my derlyng; lo!
   (Ye/You_all daughters of Yerusalem, I charge you greatly, by she-goatis, and hearts of fields, that ye/you_all raise not, neither make to awake the dear/precious spouse, till she wole. The voice of my darling; lo!)

LuthIch beschwöre euch, ihr Töchter Jerusalems, bei den Rehen oder bei den Hinden auf dem Felde, daß ihr meine Freundin nicht aufwecket noch reget, bis daß ihr selbst gefällt.
   (I invoke/conjure_up you, you(pl)/their/her daughters Yerusalems, at/in the roe/deer or at/in the Hinden on/in/to to_him field, that you(pl)/their/her my girlfriend not wakes_up still stir/move, until that you(pl)/their/her himself/itself pleases.)

ClVgSponsus Adjuro vos, filiæ Jerusalem, per capreas cervosque camporum, ne suscitetis, neque evigilare faciatis dilectam, quoadusque ipsa velit.[fn]
   (The_spouse I_swear/promise you(pl), daughters Yerusalem, through goats and_the_deer of_the_fields, not get_up, nor to_wake_up do_it beloved, quoadusque herself wants. )


2.7 Adjuro. Primitiva Ecclesia ad gentes conversa, et quasi in persona eorum hucusque locuta, cum ex amore interiori corporis defectum jam patiatur; monet sponsus novellam Ecclesiam, ne peccando inquietet eam. Quam amabilis sit Deo hujus Ecclesiæ et cujuslibet fidelis animæ pausatio, ex responsione sponsi declaratur. Per capreas. Id est, si velitis esse comparabiles capreis, vel cervis in virtutum altitudine et pretiosioribus cibis, et in agnitione, quæ medela sit congrua vestris vulneribus, si vulnera habetis. Capreæ et cervi, munda animalia, venenorum inimica, ruminantia, opera spiritualium virtutum figurant, contra virulenti hostis insidias. Cervi tempore amoris discedentes a patria, alter clunibus alterius capite imposito se sustentant, ordinatim incedentes, primus fert, ultimus tantum fertur, primo fatigato, ultimus succedit, canibus insequentibus per dumeta cornibus dorso impositis illæsi evadunt. Caligantibus oculis serpentem comedunt, et hausto fonte visum recuperant, et deponunt superflua. Sic sancti amore Dei renuntiant terrenis: alter alterius onera supportant, minus enim onerati peccatis allevant oneratos, condonando, pro eis orando; robur datum per Spiritum sanctum menti suæ supponunt, dum urgentur ab impiis, et sic transeunt illæsi; diabolum comedunt, id est, annihilant in se, et potato fonte, id est, Christo, visum interiorem recuperant, et pellem ponunt, id est, immunes fiunt a peccatis. Ne suscitetis. GREG. Si subditi aliquid peccant, propter quod doctores a quiete surgere cogantur, non tantum pœnam illius peccati incurrunt, sed etiam puniuntur pro inquietatione doctorum, quia qui doctores cœlestibus intentos inquietare præsumit, etiam virtutes quas habere se credebat, perdit. Ad juramentum sponsi, sponsa libenter suscipit, et audiens determinationem istam appositam, scilicet donec ipsa velit, animadvertit sibi latenter præcipi, ut ipsa sponte surgere velit, promittit ergo se surrecturam et proponit talem sponsum, pro quo velit, et tempus congruum. Postquam enim apostoli in primitiva Ecclesia gentium positi, in tantam perfectionem se et alios induxerant, ut jam contemplationi vacarent, iterum intelligit sibi impositam necessitatem discurrendi per totum mundum et construendi novas Ecclesias.


2.7 I_swear/promise. Primitiva Assembly/Church to people/nations conversa, and as_if in/into/on person their hereusque spoken, when/with from with_love interiori body defectum already suffer; advises groom novellam assembly/church, not by_sinning inquietet her. How amabilis be to_God of_this Assemblies/Churches and whoselibet faithful soul pausatio, from responsione grooms declaratur. Per goats. That it_is, when/but_if wantsis to_be comparabiles capreis, or cervis in/into/on virtues height and at_a_pricesioribus foods, and in/into/on lambtione, which medela be congrua yours vulneribus, when/but_if vulnera you(pl)_have. Capreæ and cervi, clean animals, venenorum hostile, ruminantia, works spiritual virtues figure/formnt, on_the_contrary virulenti the_enemy ambush. Cervi at_the_time of_love discedentes from fatherland, the_other clunibus another's head imposito himself sustentant, ordinatim incedentes, primus fert, ultimus only fertur, at_first fatigato, ultimus succeeds, dogs insequentibus through dumeta horns back imposed thosesi evadunt. Caligantibus eyes snake they_eat, and hausto source sight(n) recuperant, and deponunt unnecessary. So holy with_love of_God they_report earthly: the_other another's burdens supportant, minus because burdensti sins allevant burdenstos, condonando, for to_them praying; strength given/present(n) through Spirit holy menti his/her_own supponunt, while urgentur away wicked, and so they_pass thosesi; devil they_eat, that it_is, of_the_yearhilant in/into/on himself, and potato source, that it_is, to_Christ/Messiah, sight(n) interior recuperant, and the_hide/skin ponunt, that it_is, immunes are_made from sins. Don't get_up. GREG. When/But_if I_submiti something peccant, because that teachers from quietly to_get_up cogantur, not/no only punishment of_that of_sin incurrunt, but also puniuntur for inquietatione of_teachers, because who/which teachers heavenly intentos inquietare beforesumit, also by_virtues which to_have himself believebat, loses. To oath grooms, bride willingly undertake, and hearing determinationnem that_(one) appositam, namely until herself wants, noticedt to_himself latenter beforecipi, as herself voluntarily to_get_up wants, promises therefore himself surrecturam and proponit such_a_one groom, for where wants, and time/season congruum. Postquam because apostles in/into/on primitive Assembly/Church nations placed, in/into/on so_much perfection himself and others induxerant, as already contemplation to_be_freent, again understands to_himself impositam necessity discurrendi through whole the_world and construendi news Assembly/Churchs.


HAPHebrew accents and phrasing: See Allan Johnson's Hebrew accents and phrasing analysis.

TSNTyndale Study Notes:

2:7 Promise me . . . by the gazelles and wild deer: This plea is obviously important to the Song; it is repeated in 3:5 and 8:4, and a promise is requested. When a promise was made, witnesses were needed, and the wild animals were the only witnesses present. These graceful animals suggest a romantic pastoral setting.
• not to awaken love until the time is right: As in 8:8-9, virginity is praised. The woman warns the women of Jerusalem to be cautious and not to hurry love.


SOTNSIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:2–2:7: The woman and man admired each other

In Section 1:2–2:7, the woman and man praised each other, and they became more confident that they loved each other. In the introduction (1:2–4) the woman spoke about her desire for the man. Then she spoke of her humble life working in the family vineyard (1:5–6), and she seemed to question whether she was worthy for him to love her. Then he praised her, and she praised him. When she spoke at the end of the section (2:3–6), she felt secure that he loved her.

In this section, the woman used several comparisons to speak of her feelings about the man. She spoke as though he were a shepherd (1:7–8) or a king (1:4; 1:12), implying that he was like a shepherd or king to her in certain ways. He was also like a bag of myrrh (1:13), henna blossoms (1:14), and an apple tree (2:3–4) to her. The woman compared herself to “a rose of Sharon,” and “a lily of the valleys” (2:1). The man compared her to “a mare of Pharaoh’s chariots” (1:9). The Notes will discuss the meaning of each of these comparisons as it occurs in its section.

Lines 1:2–4 are the introduction to Section 1:2–2:7. In these lines, the poet summarizes the Song’s message and introduces its main characters: the woman, the man, and a group of young women. In the Song the woman spoke more often than the man spoke. After the title (1:1), she began the Song by saying that she wanted him to kiss her. She referred to him only as “him” or “you.” In Hebrew poetry, the authors do not introduce their characters as they do in stories, but in some languages it may be more natural to introduce them and identify them. Some ways to do this are:

Choose an option that fits your situation, and use it consistently throughout the book. You should also decide how you will refer to the speakers in the headings. Some ways to do that are:

woman, man, women (GNT)

beloved, lover, friends (NIV)

bride, groom, companions (REB)

she, he, others (ESV)

The woman often referred to the man as “my beloved” (RSV), and she also called him “the one whom my soul loves,” “the king,” and “my friend.” The man often referred to her as “my love” and also as “fairest among women,” “my dove,” “my sister,” “my bride,” and “queenly maiden.”

Paragraph 2:1–7 The man and woman praised each other

Lines 2:1–7 are the end of the first poetic section in the Song. In them, the man and woman praised each other. He brought her to his banquet room and embraced her. In 2:7 she cautioned the women of Jerusalem not to awaken love before the right time.

2:7

The speaker in this verse is probably the woman (as indicated by most English versions).Some English versions do not specify who is speaking. Most English versions that do specify speakers indicate that the woman speaks here. These versions include BSB, CEV, ESV, GW, HCSB, NAB, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, and GNT.

2:7a–b

I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: The verb adjure means “to urge (someone) to swear an oath.” The woman urged the women of Jerusalem to swear an oath to her. This oath was a serious promise. Breaking the oath would cause harmful results.

In the Hebrew culture, people usually swore oaths in God’s name. Such an oath implies that God will punish the person who does not do what he swore to do. The oath is a poetic way to say that the women must keep their promise. In this context, the woman asked the Jerusalem women to swear by gazelles and does. These animals probably symbolize love.Many scholars also comment on the fact that the Hebrew words for gazelles and does are similar to two of the names of God: El Shaddai (the All-Powerful) and YHWH Sabaoth (Lord of Hosts). Some other ways to translate the clause are:

swear to me by the gazelles or by the does in the field (GW)

promise me by the power of deer and gazelles (CEV)

Consider the ways that people make promises or swear oaths in your language. Use a natural way to translate the meaning of the woman’s request.

2:7a

O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you

O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you: In this verse the woman spoke to the Jerusalem women. In some languages it is more natural to begin the sentence with the phrase O daughters of Jerusalem. For example:

O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you…

The phrase O daughters of Jerusalem was also used in 1:5b. You may translate it in the same way here.

2:7b

by the gazelles and does of the field:

the gazelles and does: gazelles and does are gentle animals that live wild in forests, mountains, or plains. They eat grass and other plants. They run fast, and they are graceful and beautiful. In the Song they symbolize grace and beauty, and they especially symbolize love.

gazelles: The “gazelle” is a member of the antelope family.There are two types of gazelles that were found in Palestine during the time that Song of Solomon was written: the dorcas gazelle and the gazella gazelle. It is a fairly small animal (2 or 3 feet tall at the shoulder). It is known for its grace and beauty.

does: A “doe” is a female deer or “hind.” Like a gazelle, a doe is also a small animal.

of the field: The phrase of the field indicates here that the animals were wild rather than domesticated. They did not have an owner. The word field refers here to uncultivated land. It does not refer to farm land.

2:7c–d

In 2:7c–d the woman told the women of Jerusalem what she wanted them to swear (promise).

Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right: There are two ways to interpret what the woman said to the women of Jerusalem here:

  1. It means that they should not arouse romantic love before the right time for it. For example:

    not to awaken love until the time is right. (NLT) (BSB, CEV, GW, NCV, NET, NIV, NJPS, NLT, NRSV, REB)

  2. It means that they should not disturb the lovers in their lovemaking. For example:

    that you will not interrupt our love. (GNT) (NASB, NJB, GNT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), as most English versions and many commentators do.Some scholars who follow this interpretation include Assis, Bloch & Bloch, Carr, Estes, Exum, Garrett, Gledhill, Hess, Kinlaw, Longman, Murphy, and Pope. The woman gave general advice to the women of Jerusalem about the serious nature of love. A man and woman should not begin a romantic relationship too quickly. They should wait until the appropriate time. Neither of the verbs in 2:7c–d imply the meaning “interrupt,” as interpretation (2) requires.

For more examples of how to translate interpretation (1), see the General Comment on 2:7c–d at the end of the notes on 2:7d.

2:7c

Do not arouse or awaken love

Do not arouse Even though the verbs stir up (2:7c) and awaken (2:7d) are masculine, it is clear in the context that the sentence is addressed to the women of Jerusalem. Hebrew sometimes allows this extended use of the masculine form. or awaken love: Here the word love refers to the way people feel and act when they love someone in a romantic way. To arouse…love and awaken love means to cause or encourage feelings of romantic love. The phrases are used in a figurative way and have almost the same meaning. They imply that romantic love causes intense excitement and desire.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

Do not arouse love and excite it

that you will not stimulate feelings of love and intensify them

In many languages it is more natural to translate love as an action and to indicate who loves and who receives the love. Here the woman made a general statement about romantic love to a group of women. There are two ways to interpret the statement:

  1. A woman should not arouse romantic feelings in herself before the proper time. For example:

    Do not cause yourselves to love someone

  2. A woman should not arouse romantic feelings in another person before the proper time. For example:

    Do not arouse someone to love you

English versions are ambiguous. If you choose between these interpretations, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Use a natural way in your language to refer to the action of arousing romantic love before the right time.

arouse or awaken: The Hebrew words that the BSB translates as arouse and awaken are different forms of the same verb.The verbs arouse (2:7c) and awaken (2:7d) are based on the same Hebrew root. In this context they have the same meaning. The forms are used together to add emphasis. In some languages it may be more natural to use only one verb. For example:

excite

arouse

love: Here the noun love is a figure of speech. It is spoken of as though it were a person. In some languages it is more natural to translate the meaning without this figure of speech. For example:

excite yourself to love

In some languages there are other figures of speech that express this meaning. For example:

Do not fan love into flame

Do not feed your sexual love/desire

Translate the meaning in a natural way in your language.

2:7d

until the time is right.

until the time is right: The clause until the time is right is literally “until love desires/decides.” It implies that there is an appropriate time to arouse romantic love. The author continues to use “love” as a figure of speech, as in 2:7c. He speaks of it as though it is a person who can decide when the time is right for romantic love.

Other ways to translate the figure of speech here are:

Translate the meaning in a natural way in your language.

General Comment on 2:7c–d

Some other ways to translate 2:7c–d are:

Do not arouse your feelings of sexual love until the proper time.

Be careful that intimate love for someone does not overwhelm you before you are ready.


UTNuW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / apostrophe

הִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי אֶתְ⁠כֶ֜ם בְּנ֤וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙

adjure ,you(pl) daughters_of Yerushalayim

Here the woman is speaking to the daughters of Jerusalem, but most likely they are not present. The woman is doing this as a poetic way of giving voice to her strong feelings. Because the author does this intentionally for poetic effect, it is suggested that you do the same. If it would be helpful in your language, you could indicate this in a footnote.

Note 2 topic: writing-oathformula

הִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי אֶתְ⁠כֶ֜ם & בִּ⁠צְבָא֔וֹת א֖וֹ בְּ⁠אַיְל֣וֹת הַ⁠שָּׂדֶ֑ה

adjure ,you(pl) & by,gazelles or by,the_does_of the=field

The phrase I adjure you and the word by are both parts of a Hebrew oath formula. Use a natural way in your language to express an oath. Alternate translation: [I urge you to promise me … with the female gazelles or the does of the field as our witnesses] or [Please promise me … with the female gazelles or the does of the field as our witnesses] or [I want you to make an oath … with the female gazelles or the does of the field listening]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

בְּנ֤וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙

daughters_of Yerushalayim

See how you translated the phrase daughters of Jerusalem in [1:5](../01/05.md).

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

בִּ⁠צְבָא֔וֹת א֖וֹ בְּ⁠אַיְל֣וֹת הַ⁠שָּׂדֶ֑ה

by,gazelles or by,the_does_of the=field

Here the woman is using the possessive form to describe the female gazelles and does that are characterized as being of the field and therefore are wild animals. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could explain the meaning of the phrase of the field in your translation. Alternate translation: [by the wild female gazelles and does] or [by the wild female gazelles or the wild does] or [by the female gazelles or the does that live in the wild]

Note 5 topic: translate-unknown

בִּ⁠צְבָא֔וֹת

by,gazelles

A gazelle is a small type of antelope, that looks and moves like a deer and is similar in size. If your readers would not be familiar with this type of animal, you could use the name of a similar animal in your area, or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: [by the female antelopes]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

בְּ⁠אַיְל֣וֹת

by,the_does_of

The writer assumes that the reader will understand that does refers to female deer. You could include this information if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the female deer of]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

אִם־תָּעִ֧ירוּ ׀ וְֽ⁠אִם־תְּעֽוֹרְר֛וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אַהֲבָ֖ה עַ֥ד שֶׁ⁠תֶּחְפָּֽץ

if arouse and=if awaken DOM (the),love until that,it_will_please

Here the woman speaks of love as if it were a person who could sleep, awaken, and have desires. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [do not encourage people to love romantically until the appropriate time] or [do not encourage people to have romantic feelings until the appropriate time]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

אִם־תָּעִ֧ירוּ ׀ וְֽ⁠אִם־תְּעֽוֹרְר֛וּ

if arouse and=if awaken

Here the words awaken and stir mean similar things. The repetition is used for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [do not awaken] or [do not stir up feelings of]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

אֶת־הָ⁠אַהֲבָ֖ה

DOM (the),love

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of love, you could express the same idea in another way.

BI Sng 2:7 ©