Until the day breathes
and the shadows flee,
turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle
or a young stag on cleft mountains.
The above verse in this love Song of Solomon (or, about Solomon and his love) is one of the most confusing in the entire book of Song of Solomon. How you overall interpret the book will probably determine how you interpret this one verse. If you see this book unfolding as two people (one, being King Solomon ... see the first verse) then you might interpret the verse one way. The challenge with the above verse is in the phrase that the young woman seems to telling the young man to “turn.” Is she telling him to “turn” and come in to her (to have sexual relations) or is she telling him to “turn” away so they don’t have sexual relationships. The Hebrew word and structure can literally be interpreted either way and still do justice to the text.
Those who teach that pre-martial sex is wrong, would take one view, while those who believe pre-martial sex is okay for someone getting married would interpret the verse the other way. If you view the book as a compilation of love songs you might interpret the other way. Let’s look at the two ways and draw som obvious conclusions that fit both views.
1. The love story is unfolding. There are those that interpret the book as a love story that starts with attraction (chapter one) and ends with the consummation of their relationship (chapters six-eight). If that is the case the above verse would be interpreted that she is telling him to “turn” away from her to wait for the day of their wedding.
2. The book is a collection of love poems expressing different emotions of love in the life of two lovers. This way of interpreting the book would allow for the verse to be showing that the woman is inviting her lover into her bed and asking him to come to her in sexual relations.
No one can say for certain which way is the “right” way to interpret the book. It is always best to let the context speak for itself and to allow other passages of Scripture and history to shed light on the passage in question, when possible. We do know that God’s word teaches that sexual relations were designed by God for married couples. So, that gives us some insight into the passage. But, no matter how you interpret these challenges there are a some obvious truths to glean from the verse:
1. Sexual attraction and sexual desire is a strong emotion. Whether she is sending him away or inviting him in, the power of sexual desire is compelling them both. If the one interpretation is to send him away, it is his desire that is creating a natural tension. If it is the other interpretation it is her desire. But, make no mistake, the desire for sexual intimacy is powerful (something we didn’t need this verse to teach us).
2. Sexual attraction and sexual desire is to be managed by both partners. No matter which way you interpret this, these two are having a communication about this deep, hunger emotion swelling inside them. She is speaking up. Whether she is compelling him to come in or repelling him away, it is an emotion that must be managed with intention. Neither (throughout the book) is allowing the emotion to control them. They are stepping in to control the emotion.
3. Whichever direction he is supposed to turn (at her desire) he is to respect her desire. She has a desire and he is subservient to it. That truth alone would allow us to have a much better world to live our lives and raise our boys and girls.
4. Whichever direction he is supposed to then he is to do it with haste. She tells him to turn like a “gazelle” or like a “young stag” (deer). His turn is not to be slow, with hesitation, or with resentment. It is to be quick, sudden and decided. Again, what a truth young lovers should respect in their partners.
God is not against sexual relations. He created them. He has great guidance for them and for us. Sexual relations has a time and includes great communication and fosters deep respect. And, that all happens BEFORE sex.
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