Song of Solomon 5:4

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

My beloved put his hand to the latch; my heart pounded for him.

American Standard Version (1901)

My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, And my heart was moved for him.

Bible in Basic English

My loved one put his hand on the door, and my heart was moved for him.

Free Bible Version

My love thrust his hand into the opening. Deep inside I longed for him.

King James (Authorized) Version

My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.

Translation for Translators

The one who loves me put his hand through the opening in the wall, and I was thrilled that he was there.

Unlocked Literal Bible

My beloved put in his hand through the opening of the door latch, and my heart was stirred up for him.

Noah Webster Bible

My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door , and my bowels were moved for him.

World English Bible

My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him.

Young's Literal Translation

My beloved sent his hand from the net-work, And my bowels were moved for him.

Context

The Bride

³I have taken off my robe— must I put it back on? I have washed my feet— must I soil them again? ⁴My beloved put his hand to the latch; my heart pounded for him. ⁵I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with flowing myrrh on the handles of the bolt.

Summary

In this verse, the bride in the Song of Solomon expresses a moment of regret and missed opportunity. She hesitated to open the door for her beloved when he knocked, and by the time she decided to respond, he had already left. This passage serves as a metaphor for missed opportunities in relationships and the importance of being attentive and responsive to those we love. It also conveys the idea of not taking love for granted and seizing the moment to nurture and cherish the bonds we have with others.

Commentary

Tyndale

Tyndale Open Study Notes

5:4-6 My lover tried to unlatch the door, and my heart thrilled: The man persists in his attempts to arouse the woman, and she eventually responds positively to his overtures. However, by the time she responds, he has given up or become otherwise occupied. This is a powerful poetic picture of the struggles of two lovers to be sexually intimate with each other.