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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.
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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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/songs/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/songs/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/songs/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on cleft mountains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/songs/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Before the day breaks and shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/songs/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/songs/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/songs/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/songs/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/songs/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“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.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/songs/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/songs/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“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].”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/songs/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/songs/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/songs/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/songs/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Pretend to be a young deer dancing on mountain slopes until daylight comes and shadows fade away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/songs/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/songs/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/songs/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />until the morning breezes blow and the darkness disappears. Return, my darling, like a gazelle, like a stag on the mountains of Bether. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/songs/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/songs/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Before the day breaks and shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/songs/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Until the dawn arrives and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved--be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountain gorges. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/songs/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/songs/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/songs/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/songs/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/songs/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/songs/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />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"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/songs/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/songs/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Bride to Groom: <font color=#0000CC>Return, O my beloved. Be like a doe and like a young stag upon the mountains of Bether.</font><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/songs/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Until the day grows cool and the shadows flee, roam, my lover, Like a gazelle or a young stag upon the rugged mountains. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/songs/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />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"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/songs/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/songs/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />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"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/songs/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/songs/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/songs/2-17.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=324" 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/2.htm">The Bride's Admiration</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><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> </span><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="/psalms/104-20.htm">Psalm 104:20-23</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-8.htm">Genesis 3:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/18-4.htm">Isaiah 18:4</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/4-2.htm">Malachi 4:2</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-11.htm">Psalm 139:11-12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-9.htm">Isaiah 26:9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/38-12.htm">Job 38:12-13</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-4.htm">Psalm 19:4-6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-1.htm">Isaiah 60:1-2</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-27.htm">Matthew 24:27</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-78.htm">Luke 1:78-79</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-16.htm">Revelation 22:16</a></span><br />“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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/1-19.htm">2 Peter 1:19</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-2.htm">Matthew 17:2</a></span><br />There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">the day</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Song of Solomon 4:6</a></b></br> Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/1-78.htm">Luke 1:78</a></b></br> Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/13-12.htm">Romans 13:12</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="hdg">the shadows</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/8-5.htm">Hebrews 8:5</a></b></br> 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, <i>that</i> thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1</a></b></br> For the law having a shadow of good things to come, <i>and</i> not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.</p><p class="hdg">beloved</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Song of Solomon 2:9</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/8-14.htm">Song of Solomon 8:14</a></b></br> Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.</p><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><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/2-1.htm">the mutual love of Christ and his church</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/2-8.htm">The hope</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/2-10.htm">and calling of the church</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/2-14.htm">Christ's care of the church</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/2-16.htm">The profession of the church, her faith, and hope</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 = 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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/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><b>Before the day breaks and shadows flee</b><br>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>).<p><b>turn, my beloved</b><br>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.<p><b>and be like a gazelle or a young stag</b><br>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>.<p><b>on the mountains of Bether</b><br>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. <b><a href="/topical/b/beloved.htm">Beloved</a></b><br>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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/gazelle_or_young_stag.htm">Gazelle or Young Stag</a></b><br>These animals symbolize swiftness, grace, and beauty. They are often used in biblical poetry to describe the agility and desirability of the beloved.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mountains_of_bether.htm">Mountains of Bether</a></b><br>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><b><a href="/topical/t/the_beauty_of_anticipation.htm">The Beauty of Anticipation</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/overcoming_obstacles.htm">Overcoming Obstacles</a></b><br>The "mountains of Bether" symbolize challenges. In relationships and faith, we must be willing to overcome obstacles, trusting in God's strength and timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuit_of_love.htm">Pursuit of Love</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_time_in_relationships.htm">The Role of Time in Relationships</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_light_and_shadows.htm">Symbolism of Light and Shadows</a></b><br>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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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) <span class= "bld">Until the day break.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">breathe, i.e., becomes cool, </span>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, <span class= "ital">wind. </span>This interpretation is also fixed by the mention of the flying, <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>lengthening shadows. Comp. Virg. <span class= "ital">Ecl. </span>i. 84: "Majoresque cadunt altis de montibus umbrae;" and Tennyson, <span class= "ital">The Brook</span>--<p>"We turned our foreheads from the falling sun,<p>And followed our own shadows, thrice as long<p>As when they followed us.")<p><span class= "bld">Bether.</span>--Marg., <span class= "ital">of division; </span>LXX., <span class= "ital">of ravines or hollows, </span>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>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/songs/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">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.</span> 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; <span class="accented">Bether</span>, from a root "to divide," "to cut," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> divided by ravines; or the word may be the abstract for the concrete - "the mountains of separation" <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the mountains which separate. LXX., <span class="greek">ὄρη τῶν κοιλωματῶν</span>, "decussated mountains." The Syriac and Theodotion take the word as for <span class="accented">beshamim, i.e.</span> offerings of incense (<span class="greek">θυμιαματῶν</span>). 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 <span class="accented">scheideberge</span>). Bochart says, "Montes scissionis ita dicti propter <span class="greek">ῤωχμοῦς</span> et <span class="greek">χασματὰ</span>." 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. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/songs/2-17.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">Before</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֤ד</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the day</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיּ֔וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">breaks</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁיָּפ֙וּחַ֙</span> <span class="translit">(še·yā·p̄ū·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6315.htm">Strong's 6315: </a> </span><span class="str2">To puff, blow with the breath, air, to fan, to utter, to kindle, to scoff</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and shadows</span><br /><span class="heb">הַצְּלָלִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(haṣ·ṣə·lā·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6752.htm">Strong's 6752: </a> </span><span class="str2">Shadow </span><br /><br /><span class="word">flee,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָ֖סוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·sū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">turn to me,</span><br /><span class="heb">סֹב֩</span> <span class="translit">(sōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, go around, surround</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my beloved,</span><br /><span class="heb">דוֹדִ֜י</span> <span class="translit">(ḏō·w·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1730.htm">Strong's 1730: </a> </span><span class="str2">To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and be like</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּמֵה־</span> <span class="translit">(də·mêh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1819.htm">Strong's 1819: </a> </span><span class="str2">To compare, to resemble, liken, consider</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a gazelle</span><br /><span class="heb">לִצְבִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(liṣ·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6643.htm">Strong's 6643: </a> </span><span class="str2">Splendor, a gazelle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">א֛וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> </span><span class="str2">Desire, if</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a young stag</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעֹ֥פֶר</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘ō·p̄er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6082.htm">Strong's 6082: </a> </span><span class="str2">A young hart, stag</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the mountains</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֥רֵי</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Bether.</span><br /><span class="heb">בָֽתֶר׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·ṯer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1335.htm">Strong's 1335: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part, piece</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/songs/2-17.htm">Song of Solomon 2:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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>