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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 2:17 Before the day breaks and shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/songs/2-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/22_Sng_02_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Song of Solomon 2:17 - The Bride's Admiration" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Before the day breaks and shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of Bether." /><script 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/songs/2-16.htm" title="Song of Solomon 2:16">◄</a> Song of Solomon 2:17 <a href="/songs/3-1.htm" title="Song of Solomon 3:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/songs/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/songs/2.htm">New International Version</a> Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the rugged hills. <a href="/nlt/songs/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> Before the dawn breezes blow and the night shadows flee, return to me, my love, like a gazelle or a young stag on the rugged mountains. <a href="/esv/songs/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on cleft mountains. <a href="/bsb/songs/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Before the day breaks and shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of Bether. <a href="/kjv/songs/2.htm">King James Bible</a> Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. <a href="/nkjv/songs/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Until the day breaks And the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, And be like a gazelle Or a young stag Upon the mountains of Bether. <a href="/nasb_/songs/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Until the cool of the day, when the shadows flee, Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.” <a href="/nasb/songs/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Until the cool of the day when the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/songs/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Until the cool of the day when the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.” <a href="/lsb/songs/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.” <a href="/amp/songs/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Until the cool of the day when the shadows flee away, Return quickly, my beloved, and be like a gazelle Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether [which separate us].” <a href="/csb/songs/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn around, my love, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the divided mountains. <a href="/hcsb/songs/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Before the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn to me, my love, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the divided mountains. <a href="/asv/songs/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> Until the day be cool, and the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart Upon the mountains of Bether. <a href="/cev/songs/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Pretend to be a young deer dancing on mountain slopes until daylight comes and shadows fade away. <a href="/erv/songs/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> Until the day be cool, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. <a href="/gwt/songs/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When the day brings a cooling breeze and the shadows flee, turn around, my beloved. Run like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains that separate us! <a href="/gnt/songs/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> until the morning breezes blow and the darkness disappears. Return, my darling, like a gazelle, like a stag on the mountains of Bether. <a href="/isv/songs/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn around, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the rugged mountains. <a href="/msb/songs/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Before the day breaks and shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of Bether. <a href="/net/songs/2.htm">NET Bible</a> Until the dawn arrives and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved--be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountain gorges. <a href="/nheb/songs/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Until the day is cool, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of Bether. <a href="/wbt/songs/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Until the day shall break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. <a href="/web/songs/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Until the day is cool, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be like a roe or a young deer on the mountains of Bether. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/songs/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Until the day breaks forth, "" And the shadows have fled away, "" Turn, be like, my beloved, "" To a roe, or to a young one of the harts, "" On the mountains of separation! <a href="/ylt/songs/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Till the day doth break forth, And the shadows have fled away, Turn, be like, my beloved, To a roe, or to a young one of the harts, On the mountains of separation! <a href="/slt/songs/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Until the day shall breathe and the shadows fled away, turn, thou, it being likened to thee, my beloved, to the roe, or to the fawn of the hind upon the mountains of section.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/songs/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Till the day break, and the shadows retire. Return: be like, my beloved, to a roe, or to a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. <a href="/cpdv/songs/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Bride to Groom: Return, O my beloved. Be like a doe and like a young stag upon the mountains of Bether. <a href="/nabre/songs/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Until the day grows cool and the shadows flee, roam, my lover, Like a gazelle or a young stag upon the rugged mountains. <a href="/nrsvce/songs/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on the cleft mountains.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/songs/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Until the day cools and the shadows flee away, turn my beloved and be like a gazelle or a young hart upon the fragrant mountains. <a href="/hpbt/songs/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> While the day will grow cold and the shadows shall lengthen, return, my love, be like a deer or to a fawn of a hart on the mountains of spices<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/songs/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Until the day breathe, and the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, and be thou like a gazelle or a young hart Upon the mountains of spices. <a href="/sep/songs/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Until the day dawn, and the shadows depart, turn, my kinsman, be thou like to a roe or young hart on the mountains of the ravines. <a href="/parallel/songs/2-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9D_QEk8ZdxU?start=324" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/songs/2.htm">The Bride's Admiration</a> …16My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies. 17<a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">Before</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">the day</a> <a href="/hebrew/6315.htm" title="6315: še·yā·p̄ū·aḥ (Pro-r:: V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To breathe, blow. A primitive root; to puff, i.e. Blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan, to utter, to kindle, to scoff.">breaks</a> <a href="/hebrew/6752.htm" title="6752: haṣ·ṣə·lā·lîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Shadow. From tsalal; shade.">and shadows</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: wə·nā·sū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">flee,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5437.htm" title="5437: sōḇ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">turn,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1730.htm" title="1730: ḏō·w·ḏî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Or dod; from an unused root meaning properly, to boil, i.e. to love; by implication, a love- token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle.">my beloved,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1819.htm" title="1819: də·mêh- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To be like, resemble. A primitive root; to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider.">and be like</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6643.htm" title="6643: liṣ·ḇî (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Splendor, a gazelle. From tsabah in the sense of prominence; splendor; also a gazelle.">a gazelle</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/6082.htm" title="6082: lə·‘ō·p̄er (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A young hart, stag. From aphar; a fawn.">a young stag</a> <a href="/hebrew/354.htm" title="354: hā·’ay·yā·lîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A hart, stag, deer. An intensive form of 'ayil; a stag or male deer."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: hā·rê (N-mpc) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">the mountains</a> <a href="/hebrew/1336.htm" title="1336: ḇā·ṯer (N-ms) -- Cutting, a place of unc. location in Isr. The same as bether; Bether, a place in Palestine.">of Bether.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/104-20.htm">Psalm 104:20-23</a> You bring darkness, and it becomes night, when all the beasts of the forest prowl. / The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. / The sun rises, and they withdraw; they lie down in their dens. ... <a href="/genesis/3-8.htm">Genesis 3:8</a> Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. <a href="/isaiah/18-4.htm">Isaiah 18:4</a> For this is what the LORD has told me: “I will quietly look on from My dwelling place, like shimmering heat in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.” <a href="/malachi/4-2.htm">Malachi 4:2</a> “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall. <a href="/psalms/139-11.htm">Psalm 139:11-12</a> If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me”— / even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You. <a href="/isaiah/26-9.htm">Isaiah 26:9</a> My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. <a href="/job/38-12.htm">Job 38:12-13</a> In your days, have you commanded the morning or assigned the dawn its place, / that it might spread to the ends of the earth and shake the wicked out of it? <a href="/psalms/19-4.htm">Psalm 19:4-6</a> their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. / Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course, / it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. <a href="/isaiah/60-1.htm">Isaiah 60:1-2</a> Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. <a href="/matthew/24-27.htm">Matthew 24:27</a> For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. <a href="/luke/1-78.htm">Luke 1:78-79</a> because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, / to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” <a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a> Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” <a href="/revelation/22-16.htm">Revelation 22:16</a> “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.” <a href="/2_peter/1-19.htm">2 Peter 1:19</a> We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. <a href="/matthew/17-2.htm">Matthew 17:2</a> There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be you like a roe or a young hart on the mountains of Bether.the day<a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Song of Solomon 4:6</a> Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.<a href="/luke/1-78.htm">Luke 1:78</a> Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,<a href="/romans/13-12.htm">Romans 13:12</a> The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.the shadows<a href="/hebrews/8-5.htm">Hebrews 8:5</a> Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.<a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1</a> For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.beloved<a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Song of Solomon 2:9</a> My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.<a href="/songs/8-14.htm">Song of Solomon 8:14</a> Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/songs/2-16.htm">Beloved</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-3.htm">Break</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-8.htm">Breaks</a> <a href="/psalms/150-6.htm">Breathe</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-5.htm">Breathes</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-27.htm">Cool</a> <a href="/songs/1-6.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Dawn</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Evening</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-1.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-17.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/songs/2-13.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Gazelle</a> <a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Hart</a> <a href="/songs/2-14.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/songs/2-3.htm">Lover</a> <a href="/songs/2-8.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Roe</a> <a href="/psalms/68-16.htm">Rugged</a> <a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Shadows</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/genesis/33-14.htm">Slowly</a> <a href="/songs/1-12.htm">Spices</a> <a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Stag</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/songs/2-15.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/4-15.htm">Beloved</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Break</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Breaks</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Breathe</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Breathes</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Cool</a> <a href="/songs/5-11.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Dawn</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Evening</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/songs/3-11.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/songs/4-5.htm">Gazelle</a> <a href="/songs/8-14.htm">Hart</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/songs/3-11.htm">Lover</a> <a href="/songs/4-8.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/songs/4-5.htm">Roe</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-19.htm">Rugged</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Shadows</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Slowly</a> <a href="/songs/3-6.htm">Spices</a> <a href="/songs/8-14.htm">Stag</a> <a href="/songs/6-1.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/songs/4-2.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Song of Solomon 2</div>1. <a href="/songs/2-1.htm">the mutual love of Christ and his church</a> 8. <a href="/songs/2-8.htm">The hope</a> 10. <a href="/songs/2-10.htm">and calling of the church</a> 14. <a href="/songs/2-14.htm">Christ's care of the church</a> 16. <a href="/songs/2-16.htm">The profession of the church, her faith, and hope</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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/2.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/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Before the day breaks and shadows flee This phrase evokes the imagery of the early morning, a time of transition from darkness to light. In biblical symbolism, light often represents God's presence and truth, while darkness can symbolize ignorance or evil. The anticipation of the day breaking suggests a longing for clarity and revelation. In the context of the Song of Solomon, it may also reflect the yearning for the presence of the beloved, paralleling the soul's desire for communion with God. The imagery of shadows fleeing can be seen as a metaphor for the dispelling of fears or doubts, aligning with the biblical theme of God's light overcoming darkness (<a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a>).turn, my beloved The call for the beloved to turn indicates a desire for attention and presence. In the broader context of the Song of Solomon, this reflects the deep longing and intimate relationship between the lovers. Spiritually, it can be seen as a call for Christ, the ultimate Beloved, to draw near to the believer. This echoes the plea for divine presence found throughout Scripture, such as in <a href="/psalms/27-9.htm">Psalm 27:9</a>, where the psalmist asks God not to hide His face.and be like a gazelle or a young stag The comparison to a gazelle or young stag highlights qualities of swiftness, grace, and vitality. These animals are often associated with beauty and agility, symbolizing the beloved's desirable attributes. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who is both gentle and powerful, able to move swiftly to aid His people. The imagery also suggests the idea of pursuit and the dynamic nature of love, as seen in the pursuit of the beloved in <a href="/songs/2-8.htm">Song of Solomon 2:8-9</a>.on the mountains of Bether The mountains of Bether are not specifically identified in biblical geography, leading to various interpretations. Some suggest that "Bether" may refer to a region characterized by separation or division, as the Hebrew root of the word implies. This could symbolize the obstacles or challenges in the path of love, both in human relationships and in the spiritual journey. The mountains may also represent places of encounter and revelation, as seen in other biblical narratives where mountains are significant (e.g., Mount Sinai, Mount Zion). In the context of the Song of Solomon, it emphasizes the idea of overcoming barriers to be united with the beloved.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/b/beloved.htm">Beloved</a> The term "beloved" refers to the male lover in the Song of Solomon, often interpreted as Solomon himself or as a representation of Christ in allegorical readings. 2. <a href="/topical/g/gazelle_or_young_stag.htm">Gazelle or Young Stag</a> These animals symbolize swiftness, grace, and beauty. They are often used in biblical poetry to describe the agility and desirability of the beloved. 3. <a href="/topical/m/mountains_of_bether.htm">Mountains of Bether</a> The exact location of the "mountains of Bether" is uncertain, but it is often interpreted as a place of separation or division, symbolizing obstacles or challenges in the relationship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_beauty_of_anticipation.htm">The Beauty of Anticipation</a> The verse captures the anticipation and longing in a relationship. In our spiritual walk, we should cultivate a longing for Christ, eagerly awaiting His presence and guidance. <a href="/topical/o/overcoming_obstacles.htm">Overcoming Obstacles</a> The "mountains of Bether" symbolize challenges. In relationships and faith, we must be willing to overcome obstacles, trusting in God's strength and timing. <a href="/topical/p/pursuit_of_love.htm">Pursuit of Love</a> Just as the beloved is called to be like a gazelle, we are encouraged to pursue love with energy and commitment, reflecting God's relentless pursuit of us. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_time_in_relationships.htm">The Role of Time in Relationships</a> The reference to "before the day breaks" highlights the importance of timing. In our relationships and spiritual life, we must be patient and trust in God's perfect timing. <a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_light_and_shadows.htm">Symbolism of Light and Shadows</a> The transition from night to day symbolizes moving from uncertainty to clarity. In our faith journey, we should seek the light of God's truth to dispel the shadows of doubt and fear.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_song_of_solomon_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 2</a> <a href="/q/does_song_2's_romance_conflict_with_bible_themes.htm">Does the romantic language throughout Song of Solomon 2 conflict with traditional interpretations of divine or covenantal themes elsewhere in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/is_song_of_solomon_2_11-12_poetic_or_factual.htm">In Song of Solomon 2:11-12, is there archaeological or historical evidence confirming the seasonal details mentioned, or is it strictly poetic imagery?</a> <a href="/q/did_the_'rose_of_sharon'_exist_in_israel.htm">In Song of Solomon 2:1, is there any historical or botanical proof that the 'rose of Sharon' existed in ancient Israel?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_'leaping'_in_song_2_8-9_explained.htm">In Song of Solomon 2:8-9, how can we reconcile the depiction of the lover 'leaping' over mountains with literal geography or biology?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/songs/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) Until the day break.--Heb., breathe, i.e., becomes cool, as it does when the evening breeze sets in. The time indicated is therefore evening, "the breathing blushing hour" (Campbell). (Comp. <a href="/genesis/3-8.htm" title="And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.">Genesis 3:8</a>, "The cool of the day"--margin, wind. This interpretation is also fixed by the mention of the flying, i.e., lengthening shadows. Comp. Virg. Ecl. i. 84: "Majoresque cadunt altis de montibus umbrae;" and Tennyson, The Brook--"We turned our foreheads from the falling sun,And followed our own shadows, thrice as longAs when they followed us.")Bether.--Marg., of division; LXX., of ravines or hollows, either as separating the lovers or as intersected by valleys. Gesenius compares Bethron (<a href="/2_samuel/2-29.htm" title="And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.">2Samuel 2:29</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/songs/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - Until the day be cool, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. This is generally supposed to be the voice of the maiden addressing her suitor, and bidding him return in the evening, when the day cools, and when the lengthening shadows fall into night. Some have seen in such words a clear indication of a clandestine interview, and would find in them a confirmation of their hypothesis that the poem is founded on a romantic story of Solomon's attempt to draw a shepherdess from her shepherd. But there is no necessity to disturb the flow of the bride's loving recollections by such a fancy. She is recalling the visit of her lover. How, at first, she declined his invitation to go forth with him to the vineyards, but with professions of love appealed to him to return to the mountains, and in the evening come once more and rejoice in her love. But the words may be rendered, "during the whole day, and until the evening comes, turn thyself to me," which is the view taken by some critics. The language may be general; that is, "Turn, and I will follow." "The mountains of Bether" are the rugged mountains; Bether, from a root "to divide," "to cut," i.e. divided by ravines; or the word may be the abstract for the concrete - "the mountains of separation" i.e. the mountains which separate. LXX., ὄρη τῶν κοιλωματῶν, "decussated mountains." The Syriac and Theodotion take the word as for beshamim, i.e. offerings of incense (θυμιαματῶν). There is no such geographical name known, though there is Bithron, east of Jordan, near Mahauaim (<a href="/2_samuel/2-29.htm">2 Samuel 2:29</a>). The Chaldee, Ibn-Ezra, Rashi, and many others render it "separation" (cf. Luther's scheideberge). Bochart says, "Montes scissionis ita dicti propter ῤωχμοῦς et χασματὰ." The meaning has been thus set forth: "The request of Shulamith that he should return to the mountains breathes self-denying humility, patient modesty, inward joy in the joy of her beloved. She will not claim him for herself till he have accomplished his work. But when he associates with her in the evening, as with the Emmaus disciples, she will rejoice if he becomes her guide through the newborn world of spring. Perhaps we may say the Parousia ot the Lord is here referred to in the evening of the world" (cf. <a href="/luke/24.htm">Luke 24</a>.). On the whole, it seems most in harmony with the context to take the words as preparing us for what follows - the account of the maiden's distress when she woke up and found not her beloved. We must not expect to be able to explain the language as though it were a clear historical composition, relating facts and incidents. The real line of thought is the underlying connection of spiritual meaning. There is a separation of the lovers. The soul wakes up to feel that its object of delight is gone. Then it complains. <a href="/commentaries/songs/2-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Before עַ֤ד (‘aḏ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while the day הַיּ֔וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day breaks שֶׁיָּפ֙וּחַ֙ (še·yā·p̄ū·aḥ) Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6315.htm">Strong's 6315: </a> To puff, blow with the breath, air, to fan, to utter, to kindle, to scoff and shadows הַצְּלָלִ֑ים (haṣ·ṣə·lā·lîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6752.htm">Strong's 6752: </a> Shadow flee, וְנָ֖סוּ (wə·nā·sū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> To flit, vanish away turn to me, סֹב֩ (sōḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> To turn about, go around, surround my beloved, דוֹדִ֜י (ḏō·w·ḏî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1730.htm">Strong's 1730: </a> To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle and be like דְּמֵה־ (də·mêh-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1819.htm">Strong's 1819: </a> To compare, to resemble, liken, consider a gazelle לִצְבִ֗י (liṣ·ḇî) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6643.htm">Strong's 6643: </a> Splendor, a gazelle or א֛וֹ (’ōw) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> Desire, if a young stag לְעֹ֥פֶר (lə·‘ō·p̄er) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6082.htm">Strong's 6082: </a> A young hart, stag on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the mountains הָ֥רֵי (hā·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> Mountain, hill, hill country of Bether. בָֽתֶר׃ (ḇā·ṯer) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1335.htm">Strong's 1335: </a> A part, piece <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/songs/2-17.htm">OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 2:17 Until the day is cool and (Song Songs SS So Can)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/songs/2-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Song of Solomon 2:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 2:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/songs/3-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Song of Solomon 3:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 3:1" /></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>