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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Song of Solomon 5:3 I have taken off my robe--must I put it back on? I have washed my feet--must I soil them again?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/songs/5-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/22_Sng_05_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Song of Solomon 5:3 - The Bride and Her Beloved" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I have taken off my robe--must I put it back on? 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I have washed my feet— must I soil them again?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/songs/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But I responded, “I have taken off my robe. Should I get dressed again? I have washed my feet. Should I get them soiled?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/songs/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I had put off my garment; how could I put it on? I had bathed my feet; how could I soil them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/songs/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have taken off my robe—must I put it back on? I have washed my feet—must I soil them again?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/songs/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/songs/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I have taken off my robe; How can I put it on <i>again?</i> I have washed my feet; How can I defile them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/songs/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I have taken off my dress, How can I put it on <i>again?</i> I have washed my feet, How can I dirty them <i>again?</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/songs/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I have taken off my dress, How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet, How can I dirty them again?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/songs/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“I have taken off my dress, How can I put it on <i>again?</i> I have washed my feet, How can I dirty them <i>again?</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/songs/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I have taken off my long-sleeved garment, How can I put it on <i>again</i>? I have washed my feet, How can I dirty them <i>again</i>?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/songs/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“I had taken off my dress, How can I put it on <i>again?</i> I had washed my feet, How could I get them dirty <i>again?</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/songs/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have taken off my clothing. How can I put it back on? I have washed my feet. How can I get them dirty?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/songs/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have taken off my clothing. How can I put it back on? I have washed my feet. How can I get them dirty? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/songs/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I have put off my garment; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/songs/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But I had already undressed and bathed my feet. Should I dress again and get my feet dirty? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/songs/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/songs/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I have taken off my clothes! Why should I put them on [again]? I have washed my feet! Why should I get them dirty [again]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/songs/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I have already undressed; why should I get dressed again? I have washed my feet; why should I get them dirty again? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/songs/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"I've taken off my clothes — am I supposed to put them on again? I've washed my feet— am I supposed to get them dirty again?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/songs/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have taken off my robe?must I put it back on? I have washed my feet?must I soil them again?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/songs/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"I have already taken off my robe--must I put it on again? I have already washed my feet--must I soil them again?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/songs/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/songs/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/songs/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/songs/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I have put off my coat, how do I put it on? I have washed my feet, how do I defile them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/songs/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I have put off my coat, how do I put it on? I have washed my feet, how do I defile them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/songs/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I put off my tunic, and how shall I put it on? I washed my feet; how shall I defile them?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/songs/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I have put off my garment, how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/songs/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Bride: <font color=#0000CC>I have taken off my tunic; how shall I be clothed in it? I have washed my feet; how shall I spoil them?</font><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/songs/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I have taken off my robe, am I then to put it on? I have bathed my feet, am I then to soil them? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/songs/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I had put off my garment; how could I put it on again? I had bathed my feet; how could I soil them?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/songs/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/songs/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I took off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I get them dirty?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/songs/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I have put off my coat; How shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; How shall I defile them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/songs/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/songs/5-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9D_QEk8ZdxU?start=667" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/songs/5.htm">The Bride and Her Beloved</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>I sleep, but my heart is awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.” <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6584.htm" title="6584: pā·šaṭ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To strip off, make a dash, raid. A primitive root; to spread out; by analogy, to strip.">I have taken off</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3801.htm" title="3801: kut·tā·nə·tî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A tunic. Or kuttoneth; from an unused root meaning to cover; a shirt.">my robe—</a> <a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: ’ê·ḵā·ḵāh (Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">must I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3847.htm" title="3847: ’el·bā·šen·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs:: 3fse) -- Or labesh; a primitive root; properly, wrap around, i.e. to put on a garment or clothe, literally or figuratively.">put it back on?</a> <a href="/hebrew/7364.htm" title="7364: rā·ḥaṣ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To wash, wash off or away, bathe. A primitive root; to lave.">I have washed</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7272.htm" title="7272: raḡ·lay (N-fdc:: 1cs) -- Foot. From ragal; a foot; by implication, a step; by euphem. The pudenda.">my feet—</a> <a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: ’ê·ḵā·ḵāh (Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">must I</a> <a href="/hebrew/2936.htm" title="2936: ’ă·ṭan·nə·p̄êm (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs:: 3mp) -- To soil, defile. A primitive root; to soil.">soil them again?</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>My beloved put his hand to the latch; my heart pounded for him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/3-20.htm">Revelation 3:20</a></span><br />Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-10.htm">Matthew 25:10-12</a></span><br />But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. / Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’ / But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-7.htm">Luke 11:7</a></span><br />And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-8.htm">James 4:8</a></span><br />Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a></span><br />Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">Proverbs 1:24-28</a></span><br />Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, / because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, / in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Matthew 25:1-13</a></span><br />“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-25.htm">Luke 13:25</a></span><br />After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/50-5.htm">Isaiah 50:5</a></span><br />The Lord GOD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious, nor have I turned back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-17.htm">2 Corinthians 6:17</a></span><br />“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-8.htm">John 13:8</a></span><br />“Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-13.htm">Psalm 73:13</a></span><br />Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a></span><br />Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">Ezekiel 36:25</a></span><br />I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?</p><p class="hdg">have put</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28</a></b></br> Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-4.htm">Proverbs 13:4</a></b></br> The soul of the sluggard desireth, and <i>hath</i> nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13</a></b></br> The slothful <i>man</i> saith, <i>There is</i> a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.</p><p class="hdg">I have washed </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/29-6.htm">Bathed</a> <a href="/psalms/109-18.htm">Coat</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-13.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-26.htm">Dirty</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-10.htm">Dress</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-4.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/songs/1-16.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/psalms/89-31.htm">Pollute</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-14.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/psalms/137-4.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/job/30-18.htm">Tunic</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-2.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-12.htm">Washed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/5-12.htm">Bathed</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-21.htm">Coat</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-9.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-5.htm">Dirty</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-9.htm">Dress</a> <a href="/songs/7-1.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-6.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/songs/7-8.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-9.htm">Pollute</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-24.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-24.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-21.htm">Tunic</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-12.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/songs/5-12.htm">Washed</a><div class="vheading2">Song of Solomon 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/5-1.htm">Christ awakes the church with his calling</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/5-2.htm">The church having a taste of Christ's love is sick of love</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/5-9.htm">A description of Christ by his graces</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/songs/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/songs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/songs/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I have taken off my robe—</b><br>This phrase reflects a state of rest and intimacy, as removing one's robe was customary before retiring for the night. In the context of the Song of Solomon, it symbolizes a moment of vulnerability and readiness for closeness. The robe can also represent the outer layers or defenses one might wear in daily life, suggesting a willingness to be open and transparent. Biblically, robes often signify identity or status, as seen in Joseph's coat of many colors (<a href="/genesis/37-3.htm">Genesis 37:3</a>) or the robe of righteousness (<a href="/isaiah/61-10.htm">Isaiah 61:10</a>). The act of taking off the robe can be seen as a metaphor for shedding worldly concerns to focus on spiritual or relational matters.<p><b>must I put it back on?</b><br>This rhetorical question indicates reluctance to return to a previous state of readiness or activity. It suggests a tension between comfort and duty, or between personal desires and external demands. In the broader biblical narrative, this can be seen as a struggle between the flesh and the spirit, where one is called to respond to a higher purpose or calling, even when inconvenient. The question implies a hesitation to re-engage with the outside world, reflecting the human tendency to resist change or disruption once settled.<p><b>I have washed my feet—</b><br>Washing feet in biblical times was a common practice for cleanliness and hospitality, especially in a dusty, arid environment. It was often done before entering a home or after a journey, symbolizing purification and readiness for fellowship. In the New Testament, Jesus washing the disciples' feet (<a href="/john/13-5.htm">John 13:5-10</a>) serves as an act of humility and service, setting an example for believers. Here, the act of washing feet can represent a state of spiritual cleanliness and preparation for intimate communion.<p><b>must I soil them again?</b><br>This phrase underscores the reluctance to undo a state of cleanliness and purity. It highlights the desire to maintain a condition of sanctity and avoid the contamination of the world. In a spiritual sense, it reflects the Christian call to remain unstained by the world (<a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a>) and to walk in holiness. The imagery of soiling feet can also be connected to the journey of faith, where believers are called to walk in the light (1 <a href="/john/1-7.htm">John 1:7</a>) and avoid paths that lead to sin or defilement.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_bride.htm">The Bride</a></b><br>The speaker in this verse, often interpreted as the Shulammite woman, who represents the beloved in the Song of Solomon. Her words reflect a moment of hesitation and reluctance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_bridegroom.htm">The Bridegroom</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the bridegroom is the one seeking entry, symbolizing Christ in many Christian interpretations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_chamber.htm">The Chamber</a></b><br>The setting is likely the private chamber of the bride, symbolizing a place of intimacy and personal relationship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_readiness.htm">Spiritual Readiness</a></b><br>The bride's hesitation serves as a reminder of the importance of being spiritually ready to respond to Christ's call. We must not let comfort or complacency hinder our relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intimacy_with_christ.htm">Intimacy with Christ</a></b><br>The intimate setting of the chamber symbolizes the personal relationship we are invited to have with Christ. We should cultivate a space in our hearts where He is always welcome.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/overcoming_reluctance.htm">Overcoming Reluctance</a></b><br>The bride's reluctance to get up and open the door can reflect our own hesitations in following Christ's leading. We must strive to overcome these barriers and respond with eagerness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purity_and_holiness.htm">Purity and Holiness</a></b><br>The act of washing feet signifies a state of purity. As believers, we are called to maintain holiness in our walk with God, avoiding anything that might "soil" our spiritual lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_song_of_solomon_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_song_of_solomon_in_the_bible.htm">Why does a sensuous love poem like Song of Solomon 5 exist in a religious text, given its apparent divergence from other doctrinal messages? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_60_queens_fit_solomon's_700_wives.htm">(Song of Solomon 6:8) How can sixty queens and eighty concubines align with Solomon's reputed 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_song_3_with_matt_5_28.htm">How do we reconcile the romantic imagery of Song of Solomon 3 with the more sober views on marriage and lust in other biblical texts (e.g., Matthew 5:28)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_grandly_describe_solomon's_procession.htm">Why does the text (Song of Solomon 3:6-7) describe Solomon's procession with such grandeur, given the lack of archaeological evidence for this specific event?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/songs/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Coat.</span>--Heb. <span class= "ital">cutoneth=cetoneth;</span> Gr. <span class= "greekheb">?????</span>, tunic.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/songs/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?</span> Evidently the meaning is, "I have retired to rest; do not disturb me." She is lying in bed. The <span class="accented">cuttoneth</span>, or <span class="greek">χτιών</span>, was the linen garment worn next the body - from <span class="accented">cathan</span>, "linen." The Arabic <span class="accented">kutun</span> is "cotton;" hence the French <span class="accented">coton</span>, "calico, or cotton" shift. Shulamith represents herself as failing in love, not meeting the condescension and affection of her lover as she should. Sloth, reluctance, ease, keep her back. "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion!" The scene is, of course, only ideally true; it is not meant to be a description of an actual occurrence. Fancy in dreams stirs up the real nature, though it also disturbs it. Shulamith has forsaken her first love. She relates it with sorrow, but not with despondency. She comes to herself again, and her repentance and restoration are the occasion for pouring out the fulness of her affection, which had never really changed, though it has been checked and restrained by self-indulgence. How true a picture both of the individual soul and of the Church in its decline! "Leave me to myself; let me lie at ease in my luxury and my smooth, conventional ways and self-flattering deceit." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/songs/5-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I have taken off</span><br /><span class="heb">פָּשַׁ֙טְתִּי֙</span> <span class="translit">(pā·šaṭ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6584.htm">Strong's 6584: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strip off, make a dash, raid</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my robe—</span><br /><span class="heb">כֻּתָּנְתִּ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(kut·tā·nə·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3801.htm">Strong's 3801: </a> </span><span class="str2">A shirt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵיכָ֖כָה</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḵā·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> </span><span class="str2">How?, how!, where</span><br /><br /><span class="word">put it back on?</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶלְבָּשֶׁ֑נָּה</span> <span class="translit">(’el·bā·šen·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3847.htm">Strong's 3847: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have washed</span><br /><span class="heb">רָחַ֥צְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ḥaṣ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7364.htm">Strong's 7364: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wash, wash off or away, bathe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my feet—</span><br /><span class="heb">רַגְלַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(raḡ·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7272.htm">Strong's 7272: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foot, a step, the pudenda</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵיכָ֥כָה</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḵā·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> </span><span class="str2">How?, how!, where</span><br /><br /><span class="word">soil them again?</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲטַנְּפֵֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ṭan·nə·p̄êm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2936.htm">Strong's 2936: </a> </span><span class="str2">To soil, defile</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/songs/5-3.htm">Song of Solomon 5:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/songs/5-3.htm">Song of Solomon 5:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/songs/5-3.htm">Song of Solomon 5:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/songs/5-3.htm">Song of Solomon 5:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/songs/5-3.htm">Song of Solomon 5:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/songs/5-3.htm">Song of Solomon 5:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/songs/5-3.htm">Song of Solomon 5:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/songs/5-3.htm">Song of Solomon 5:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/songs/5-3.htm">Song of Solomon 5:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/songs/5-3.htm">Song of Solomon 5:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/songs/5-3.htm">OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 5:3 I have taken off my robe (Song Songs SS So Can)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/songs/5-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Song of Solomon 5:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 5:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/songs/5-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Song of Solomon 5:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 5:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>