KJV ORIGINAL
I 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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
I make you promise, women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and deer of the field, that you won't disturb or wake up my love until he's ready.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is asking others not to rush or force love, but to let it develop naturally in its own time.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of an ancient Hebrew love poem, likely written during Solomon's reign around 970-930 BC. The 'daughters of Jerusalem' were likely the women of the royal court who would have been present during courtship rituals. Making an oath 'by the gazelles and deer' was a poetic way of swearing by God's beautiful creation.
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