Song of Solomon 5:2
"I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

I sleep, but my heart waketh,.... Like persons that are half awake, half asleep, whom Cicero (x) calls "semisomni". Christ and the church having feasted together at his invitation, she soon after fell asleep, as the disciples did after a repast with their Lord; yet not so fast asleep but that she was sensible of it; for this was not the dead sleep of sin, in which unconverted men are, and are insensible of; nor a judicial slumber some are given up unto, and perceive it not, yet a frame of spirit unbecoming saints, and displeasing to Christ; though consistent with grace, which at such a time is not, or very little, in exercise; they are slothful in duty, and backward to it; the phrase is sometimes used to describe a sluggish, slothful man (y); they are indifferent and lukewarm about divine things, content themselves with the bare externals of religion, without the lively exercise of grace, and without fervency and spirituality in them, and seem willing to continue so; See Gill on Mat 25:6 ; but the church here was not so overcome with sleep but her "heart was awake". Jarchi, and some ancient Jewish writers (z), interpret this and the former clause of different persons; the former, "I sleep", of the bride; this, "my heart waketh", of the bridegroom; and then the sense

is, though I am in a sleepy frame, he who is "my heart", a phrase used by lovers (a), my soul, my life, my all, he never slumbers nor sleeps, he watches over me night and day, lest any hurt me; but both clauses are rather to be understood of the same person differently considered, as having two principles of grace and corruption, as the church has, which are represented as two persons; see Rom 7:18 ; as the carnal part in her prevailed, she was the "sleeping I"; as the new man, or principle of grace appeared, her "heart was awake"; for, notwithstanding her sleepy frame, she had some thoughts of Christ, and stirring of affection to him; Some convictions of her sin, and some desires of being in her duty perhaps, though overpowered by the fleshly part; the spirit was willing, but the flesh weak. Christ's response to his church in this case follows, and is observed by her; he spoke to her so loud, that though sleepy she heard him, and owns it, it is the voice of my beloved: in the ministration of the Gospel, which is to be distinguished from the voice of a stranger, even when dull and sleepy under hearing it, and little affected with it. Christ was the church's beloved still, had an affection for him, though not thoroughly awaked by his voice, but sleeps on still; this method failing, he takes another, or repeats the same with an additional circumstance, that knocketh, saying, "open to me": which is to be understood not so much of his knocking by the ministry of the word to awaken her out of sleep, but in a providential way, by taking in his hand the rod of affliction, or scourge of persecution, and lashing therewith in order to bring her out of her carnal security; see Rev 3:20 ; and he not only knocked but called, saying, open to me, open the door unto me, and let me in; so lovers are represented as at the door or gate to get admittance, and know not which to call most hard and cruel, the door or their lover (b): there is an emphasis on the word "me"; me, thy Lord, thy head, thy husband, thy friend, that loves thee so dearly; to whom her heart was shut, her affections contracted, her desires towards him languid; wherefore he importunes her to "open" to him, which denotes an enlarging of her affections to him, an exercise of grace on him, an expression of the desires of her soul unto him; which yet could not be done without efficacious grace exerted, as in Sol 5:4 ; but, the more to win upon her, he gives her good words, and the most endearing titles, expressive of love and relation, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled, which are all made use of before, excepting the last; see Sol 1:9 ; that is, "my undefiled", which she was, not as a descendant of Adam, nor as in herself, but as washed in the blood of Christ, justified by his righteousness, and sanctified by his Spirit; and as having been enabled by divine grace to preserve her chastity, and keep the "bed undefiled", Heb 13:4 ; not guilty of spiritual adultery among all her infirmities, even idolatry and superstition; see Rev 14:4 ; or "my perfect one" (c); not in a legal, but in an evangelical sense, being completely redeemed, perfectly justified, fully pardoned, and sanctified in every part, though not to the highest degree; and perfect in Christ, though not in herself: other arguments follow to engage her attention to his request; for head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night; through standing so long at the door, in the night season, waiting to be let in; so lovers represent their case in such circumstances, as dealt very hardly with (d): by which may be meant the sufferings of Christ, either in the persons of his ministers, who are exposed to the rage and reproach of men for ministering in his name to the church; or which he endured in his own person, in his estate of humiliation; and particularly in the night he was betrayed, and during the time of darkness he hung upon the cross, when he bore the sins of his people, and his Father's wrath; compared to "dew", and "drops of the night", because of the multitude of them he endured in soul and body, and because so uncomfortable to human nature; though as dew is useful and fructifying to the earth, so were these the means of many fruits and blessings of grace, and of bringing many souls to glory; now though these arguments were expressed in the most strong, moving, and melting language, yet were ineffectual. (x) Familiar. Epist. l. 7. Ep. 1. (y) "Qui vigilans dormiat", Plauti Pseudolus, Act. 1. Sc. 3. v. 151. (z) Pesikta in Jarchi, & Tanchama in Yalkut in loc. (a) "Meum mel, meum cor", Plauti Poenulus, Act. 1. Sc. 2. v. 154, 170, 175. "Meum corculum, melliculum", ibid. Casina, Act. 4. Sc. 4, v. 14. (b) "Janua vel domina", &c, Propert. Eleg. 16. v. 17, 18, 19. (c) , Sept. "perfecta mea", Montanus, Tigurine version, Marckius; "integra mea", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Michaelis. (d) "Me mediae noctes", &c. Propert. ut supra. (Eleg. 16.) v. 22, &c.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (18 words)

H0589 אֲנַי
Definition:

17;Genesis 9:9,12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future])Genesis 18:17הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִיAmos I hidingfrom Abraham 17;Genesis 9:9,12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future])Genesis 18:17הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִיAmos I hidingfrom Abraham

Possible Meanings:
  • ships (semantic_range)
  • fleet (semantic_range)
H3463 יָשֵׁן
Definition:

73t., feminine singularיֲשֵׁנֵה1 Kings 3:20Cant 52; pluralיְשֵׁנִים1 Samuel 26:12;Songs 7:10; constructיֲשֵׁנֵיDaniel 12:2; —asleep, sleeping1 Samuel 26:7,12;1 Kings 3:20;Songs 5:2;Songs 7:10; so, fig 73t., feminine singularיֲשֵׁנֵה1 Kings 3:20Cant 52; pluralיְשֵׁנִים1 Samuel 26:12;Songs 7:10; constructיֲשֵׁנֵיDaniel 12:2; —asleep, sleeping1 Samuel 26:7,12;1 Kings 3:20;Songs 5:2;Songs 7:10; so, fig

Possible Meanings:
  • old (semantic_range)
  • withered (semantic_range)
  • flabby (semantic_range)
H3820 לֵב
Definition:

15(feminineProverbs 12:25, from influence ofנֶפֶשׁsee De Now)inner man, mind will, heart, absolute and constructלֵבGenesis 8:21239t.;לֶבֿExodus 15:815t.; suffixלִבִּיGenesis 24:45102t.;לִבְּךָExodus 9 15(feminineProverbs 12:25, from influence ofנֶפֶשׁsee De Now)inner man, mind will, heart, absolute and constructלֵבGenesis 8:21239t.;לֶבֿExodus 15:815t.; suffixלִבִּיGenesis 24:45102t.;לִבְּךָExodus 9

Possible Meanings:
  • in the midst of the sea (semantic_range)
H5782 עוּר
Definition:

2Baer Ginsb, and Qr van d. H., but Ktיעירנו(Hiph`il), Babylonian Masora (see Baerp. 58), so Ginsbmarginvan d. H.; read thus, orיְעוֺרְרֶנּוּ(Po`l.) Bu; > contracted form of Po`l. Ges§ 72ccDi; compare 2Baer Ginsb, and Qr van d. H., but Ktיעירנו(Hiph`il), Babylonian Masora (see Baerp. 58), so Ginsbmarginvan d. H.; read thus, orיְעוֺרְרֶנּוּ(Po`l.) Bu; > contracted form of Po`l. Ges§ 72ccDi; compare

Possible Meanings:
  • chaff (semantic_range)
H6963 קוֹל
Definition:

14sound, voice; — absoluteקוֺלGenesis 4:10+ (הַקֹּלGenesis 27:22;Genesis 45:16); constructקוֺלGenesis 3:8+ (וְקֹלExodus 19:16,לְקֹלExodus 4:8(twice in verse)); suffixקוֺלִי1 Samuel 26:17+,קוֺלְךָJudge 14sound, voice; — absoluteקוֺלGenesis 4:10+ (הַקֹּלGenesis 27:22;Genesis 45:16); constructקוֺלGenesis 3:8+ (וְקֹלExodus 19:16,לְקֹלExodus 4:8(twice in verse)); suffixקוֺלִי1 Samuel 26:17+,קוֺלְךָJudge

H1730 דּוֹד
Definition:

2beloved, love(plural), uncle (Late Hebrewid., Syriac; AssyriandâduDlHA 19) — absoluteדּוֺדSongs 5:9(twice in verse); constructדּוֺד1 Samuel 10:143t.;דֹּדLeviticus 10:4;Esther 2:15; suffixדּוֺדִיIsaia 2beloved, love(plural), uncle (Late Hebrewid., Syriac; AssyriandâduDlHA 19) — absoluteדּוֺדSongs 5:9(twice in verse); constructדּוֺד1 Samuel 10:143t.;דֹּדLeviticus 10:4;Esther 2:15; suffixדּוֺדִיIsaia

Possible Meanings:
  • pot (semantic_range)
  • jar (semantic_range)
  • pot (semantic_range)
  • kettle (semantic_range)
  • basket (semantic_range)
H1849 דָּפַק
Definition:

13, but read 1singular suffixוּדְפַקְתִּיםᵐ5ᵑ6Sam Dibeat(in driving, drive severely or cruelly);ParticipleדּוֺפֵקSongs 5:2absoluteknocking(at door).Hithpa`elParticipleמִתְדַּמְּקִים עַלהַֿדָּ֑לֶתJudge 13, but read 1singular suffixוּדְפַקְתִּיםᵐ5ᵑ6Sam Dibeat(in driving, drive severely or cruelly);ParticipleדּוֺפֵקSongs 5:2absoluteknocking(at door).Hithpa`elParticipleמִתְדַּמְּקִים עַלהַֿדָּ֑לֶתJudge

Possible Meanings:
  • beat violently (semantic_range)
H6605 פָתַח
Definition:

A primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve -- appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) op A primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve -- appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) op

Possible Meanings:
  • opened (semantic_range)
  • were opened (semantic_range)
H0269 אָחוֹת
Definition:

1+ (never with article); constructאֲחוֺתGenesis 4:22+; suffixאֲחֹתִי(אֲחוֺתִי)Genesis 12:13+, etc.;pluralsuffixאַחְוֺתַי(Qrאַחְיוֺתַי)Joshua 2:13;אֲחוֺתַיִחEzekiel 16:51(Qr; Ktאחותך) + 2 t. (Co all׳אח 1+ (never with article); constructאֲחוֺתGenesis 4:22+; suffixאֲחֹתִי(אֲחוֺתִי)Genesis 12:13+, etc.;pluralsuffixאַחְוֺתַי(Qrאַחְיוֺתַי)Joshua 2:13;אֲחוֺתַיִחEzekiel 16:51(Qr; Ktאחותך) + 2 t. (Co all׳אח

Possible Meanings:
  • sister (semantic_range)
  • sister (semantic_range)
  • another (semantic_range)
H7474 רַעְיָה
Definition:

9,15;Songs 2:2,10,13;Songs 4:1,7;Songs 5:2;Songs 6:4; so of attendant maidensJudges 11:37Kt, but see foregoing.Topical LexiconMeaning and Biblical Contextרַעְיָה designates a close companion whose bon 9,15;Songs 2:2,10,13;Songs 4:1,7;Songs 5:2;Songs 6:4; so of attendant maidensJudges 11:37Kt, but see foregoing.Topical LexiconMeaning and Biblical Contextרַעְיָה designates a close companion whose bon

H3123 יוֹנָה
Definition:

820t.; constructיוֺנֵתPsalm 56:1; suffixיוֺנָתִיSongs 2:142t.; pluralיוֺנִיםNahum 2:86t.; constructיוֺנֵיEzekiel 7:16(see below); —doveGenesis 8:8,9,10,11,12 (all J); often of offerings,בֶּןיֿוֺנָהLev 820t.; constructיוֺנֵתPsalm 56:1; suffixיוֺנָתִיSongs 2:142t.; pluralיוֺנִיםNahum 2:86t.; constructיוֺנֵיEzekiel 7:16(see below); —doveGenesis 8:8,9,10,11,12 (all J); often of offerings,בֶּןיֿוֺנָהLev

H8535 תָּם
Definition:

2710t.; suffixתַּמָּתִיSongs 5:2;Songs 6:9(late, exceptGenesis 25:27); —1complete, perfect:in beautySongs 5:2;Songs 6:9; of physical strengthPsalm 73:4(readלָ֑מוֺ תָּםEw De DrSam. xxxiChe Bae and othe 2710t.; suffixתַּמָּתִיSongs 5:2;Songs 6:9(late, exceptGenesis 25:27); —1complete, perfect:in beautySongs 5:2;Songs 6:9; of physical strengthPsalm 73:4(readלָ֑מוֺ תָּםEw De DrSam. xxxiChe Bae and othe

Possible Meanings:
  • sound (semantic_range)
  • wholesome (semantic_range)
H7218 רֹאשׁ
Definition:

45head(common Semitic word; earliest form *ra°š, Arabic, SabeanראסPräZMG xxix (1875). 425MordtmHim.Inschr. 31; EthiopicAmharichence (aheightened) Assyrianrêšu(rarelyrâšu), Aramaicרֵישָׁא(Egyptian Aram 45head(common Semitic word; earliest form *ra°š, Arabic, SabeanראסPräZMG xxix (1875). 425MordtmHim.Inschr. 31; EthiopicAmharichence (aheightened) Assyrianrêšu(rarelyrâšu), Aramaicרֵישָׁא(Egyptian Aram

Possible Meanings:
  • chief (semantic_range)
  • sum (semantic_range)
H4390 מָלֵא
Definition:

5) {maw-law'}; a primitive root, to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) -- accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, f 5) {maw-law'}; a primitive root, to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) -- accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, f

Possible Meanings:
  • was filled with rage (semantic_range)
H2919 טַל
Definition:

37night-mist, dew(Late Hebrewטַלdew; Aramaic,טַלָּאdew; Arabiclight rain, dew; Ethiopicdew) —׳טabsolute1 Samuel 1:2112t.;טָ֑לJudges 6:139t.; constructטַלGenesis 27:284t.; suffixטַלֶּ֑ךָIsaiah 26:19,טַ 37night-mist, dew(Late Hebrewטַלdew; Aramaic,טַלָּאdew; Arabiclight rain, dew; Ethiopicdew) —׳טabsolute1 Samuel 1:2112t.;טָ֑לJudges 6:139t.; constructטַלGenesis 27:284t.; suffixטַלֶּ֑ךָIsaiah 26:19,טַ

H6977 קְוֻצָּה
Definition:

2,תָיו-Songs 5:11.Topical LexiconTerm Overviewקְוֻצָּה (qe·vut·tsāh) denotes “locks” or “ringlets” of hair—compact, gathered curls that frame the head. The noun derives from the verbal idea of collect 2,תָיו-Songs 5:11.Topical LexiconTerm Overviewקְוֻצָּה (qe·vut·tsāh) denotes “locks” or “ringlets” of hair—compact, gathered curls that frame the head. The noun derives from the verbal idea of collect

H7447 רָסִיס
Definition:

Fromracac; properly, dripping to pieces, i.e. A ruin; also a dew-drop -- breach, drop.see HEBREWracacBrown-Driver-BriggsI. [רָסִיס]noun [masculine]drop(of dew); — plural constructרְסִיסֵי לָ֑יְלָהSong Fromracac; properly, dripping to pieces, i.e. A ruin; also a dew-drop -- breach, drop.see HEBREWracacBrown-Driver-BriggsI. [רָסִיס]noun [masculine]drop(of dew); — plural constructרְסִיסֵי לָ֑יְלָהSong

Possible Meanings:
  • fragment (semantic_range)
H3915 לַיִל
Definition:

5night(Late Hebrewid.; MI15(ב)ללה; Aramaicלֵילָא,,; Arabic,; Ethiopicall =night; Assyrianlîlâtu,eveningDlHWB; meaning of √ dubious; form probablyלילי, and endingהָ֯radical, and notהlocative, NöM 127Dl 5night(Late Hebrewid.; MI15(ב)ללה; Aramaicלֵילָא,,; Arabic,; Ethiopicall =night; Assyrianlîlâtu,eveningDlHWB; meaning of √ dubious; form probablyלילי, and endingהָ֯radical, and notהlocative, NöM 127Dl

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