Song Of Solomon 2 14

Song Of Solomon 2:14 kjv

O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

Song Of Solomon 2:14 nkjv

"O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely."

Song Of Solomon 2:14 niv

My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

Song Of Solomon 2:14 esv

O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

Song Of Solomon 2:14 nlt

My dove is hiding behind the rocks,
behind an outcrop on the cliff.
Let me see your face;
let me hear your voice.
For your voice is pleasant,
and your face is lovely.

Song Of Solomon 2 14 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Pss 27:8"You have said, 'Seek my face.' My heart says to you, 'Your face, LORD, I seek.'"God desires intimacy with His people.
Jer 29:13"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."Seeking God's presence and revelation.
Jas 4:8"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you..."Mutual drawing near in relationship.
Heb 10:22"let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith..."Bold invitation to God's presence.
Isa 30:19"...he will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry."God hears and responds to His people's voice.
Gen 8:8-12Noah's dove, symbol of peace, new beginning, purity.Dove as a symbol of innocence and hope.
Matt 3:16"and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove..."Holy Spirit in dove form, signifying purity.
Pss 55:6"Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest."Dove's yearning for peaceful refuge.
Jn 3:20-21"For everyone who does wicked things hates the light... But whoever does what is true comes to the light..."Coming out of hiding into truth and light.
1 Jn 1:7"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another..."Fellowship in open communion with God.
Heb 4:16"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace..."Bold approach to divine presence.
Rev 3:20"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him..."Christ seeking entry and communion.
Pss 45:11"The king will greatly desire your beauty."The King's desire for His beloved's beauty.
Eph 5:27"...that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle..."Christ's view of the Church's loveliness.
Col 1:22"...in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him."Believers made lovely in Christ.
Pss 18:2"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer..."God as a secure rock/refuge.
Isa 2:21"...to enter the clefts of the rock and the crevices of the cliff, from before the terror of the LORD..."Hidden places as shelter from divine terror.
Isa 52:7"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news..."Beautiful messenger's voice and presence.
Pss 29:3-9The voice of the LORD is powerful... splits the cedars..."Power and majesty of God's voice.
Exod 19:19"when the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder."God speaking and responding.
Jer 13:4"Take the loincloth that you have bought, which is on your waist, and arise, go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a cleft of the rock."Clefts used for concealment.
2 Cor 6:17"Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing..."Call to separation and holy presence.

Song Of Solomon 2 verses

Song Of Solomon 2 14 Meaning

Song of Solomon 2:14 portrays the Beloved calling to the Shulammite, his treasured "dove," who is concealed in the rugged, inaccessible places. He longs for her to reveal herself, expressing an ardent desire to see her face and hear her voice, affirming that her voice is pleasant and her face is beautiful. It is an invitation from a lover to his beloved to emerge from her hiddenness into open fellowship and shared intimacy. Allegorically, it reflects Christ's deep yearning for His Church, His pure "dove," to come out of any spiritual hiding places, shame, or worldliness, and openly commune with Him through prayer, worship, and faithful living.

Song Of Solomon 2 14 Context

The Song of Solomon 2 is situated within the "Spring Song" or "Lily" section (2:8-3:5), following an initial period of seeking and finding (Ch. 1) and preceding moments of separation and intense longing. In this verse, the Beloved (often interpreted as the King/Shepherd, representing Christ) is responding to the springtime setting mentioned earlier (SoS 2:11-13) and has arrived, perhaps seeking his Shulammite bride. She may be hidden out of shyness, modesty, or in her place of safety/retreat in the mountainous landscape. The overall context is one of mutual yearning, active courtship, and deep affection, often interpreted as celebrating marital love, or allegorically, the profound relationship between Christ and His Church, or God and the believer.

Song Of Solomon 2 14 Word analysis

  • O my dove: The term יוֹנָתִי (yonati) is an endearment, literally "my dove." The dove often symbolizes purity, innocence, tenderness, faithfulness, and a non-threatening nature. Its fragility can imply vulnerability or need for protection, yet its gentle cooing suggests a soft, pleasing voice.
  • in the clefts of the rock: בְּחַגְוֵי הַסֶּלַע (b'khagvei haselah) refers to deep cracks, fissures, or secret recesses in the rock. It suggests a secluded, protected, or perhaps even a hidden, shy place. This is where she might be taking refuge, possibly from the outside world, or out of personal modesty.
  • in the secret places of the cliff: בְּסֵתֶר הַמַּדְרֵגָה (b'seter hammadrēgah) intensifies the imagery of concealment. "Madrēgah" denotes a steep, elevated ascent or cliff face, making the "secret places" difficult to access. It underscores the private, inaccessible nature of her current position, highlighting the Beloved's earnest desire for her to emerge.
  • let me see your face: הַרְאִינִי אֶת־מַרְאֵיךְ (har'ini et-mar'eich) is a direct, earnest plea. "Mar'eich" refers to her appearance or countenance. It is a desire not just to glance but to truly behold her, indicating a longing for direct presence and unhindered fellowship. Seeing the face signifies intimacy and full recognition.
  • let me hear your voice: הַשְׁמִיעִנִי אֶת־קוֹלֵךְ (hashmi'ini et-koleich) is a request to hear her spoken words, her song, or simply her presence expressed through sound. Voice here represents her inner self, her thoughts, affections, and communication. It completes the sensory experience of longing for full presence.
  • for sweet is your voice: כִּי קוֹלֵךְ עָרֵב (ki koleich 'arev). "Arev" means pleasant, sweet, or agreeable. This is the Beloved's affectionate affirmation, the reason for his longing. He finds inherent joy and delight in her voice.
  • and your face is lovely: וּמַרְאֵיךְ נָאוֶה (u'mar'eich na'veh). "Na'veh" means beautiful, becoming, or pleasing. It emphasizes not only outward beauty but also a fitting or appropriate comeliness that delights him. The statement highlights the admiration and attraction that underpins his call for her to reveal herself.

Song Of Solomon 2 14 Bonus section

The repeated structure of the request ("let me see... let me hear") followed by the commendation ("for sweet is... and lovely is...") creates a poetic rhythm emphasizing both the longing and its delightful motivation. This particular scene also stands in contrast to the warning against "little foxes" (SoS 2:15) that damage the vineyard; here, the focus is on personal, intimate presence, crucial for strengthening the bond. The "rock" motif in the Bible is often associated with God's steadfastness and shelter (e.g., Pss 18:2, 61:2). Here, the woman might be secure in these "clefts" yet still distant from her Beloved's direct view, highlighting the gentle call to come even closer within that security.

Song Of Solomon 2 14 Commentary

Song of Solomon 2:14 serves as a poignant expression of desire for deeper communion. The Beloved's address to the Shulammite as "my dove" establishes a tone of endearment, purity, and affection. Her position "in the clefts of the rock" and "secret places of the cliff" speaks to her shyness, modesty, or perhaps a perceived sense of inadequacy or fear that keeps her from full expression. The Beloved, however, is not calling her to come out of danger but into deeper relationship. His plea, "let me see your face, let me hear your voice," is a loving invitation for her to overcome any reservations and unveil her true self. The justification—"for sweet is your voice, and your face is lovely"—underscores his admiration and affirms her intrinsic value and beauty in his eyes.

Allegorically, this verse beautifully illustrates Christ's longing for His Church. The "dove" symbolizes the Church, purified by Christ, a beloved and innocent bride. The "clefts of the rock" can represent places of safety and refuge in Christ (He is the Rock), but also the spiritual hiding places of doubt, fear, shame, or reluctance from which believers sometimes retreat. Christ calls His Church, and each individual believer, to move beyond these hidden places. He yearns for our direct and unveiled "face" (authentic self, genuine identity in Him) and our "voice" (prayer, praise, worship, testimony, and spiritual expression). He finds our voices "sweet" and our redeemed "faces" (our transformed lives) "lovely," not because of inherent perfection, but because of what He has made us to be in Him. It's a reminder that God delights in our presence and our worship, calling us to full, confident communion rather than shy concealment.