Song of Solomon 2:14

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

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The speaker addresses the beloved as a dove concealed in rock formations, requesting visual and auditory access during a season of agricultural renewal marked by ripening figs and blooming vines (Song of Solomon 2:13-15).

The words — The Hebrew יוֹנָתִי (yo.na.Ti) literally renders "my dove," and חַגְוֵי הַסֶּלַע (chag.Vei ha.Se.la') translates directly to "clefts of the rock" (Song of Solomon 2:14).

The thread — The avian designation appears again in Song of Solomon 5:2 where the speaker calls "my dove" amid a scene of knocking and watchfulness, while Song of Solomon 1:5 describes loveliness using the imagery of Kedar tents and Solomon's curtains without mentioning a dove.

Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to confront the demand for relational transparency over physical concealment, noting that the speaker values the beloved's voice and countenance more than the security of hidden crevices.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

יוֹנָתִ֞יyo.na.T/iO dove/ my בְּחַגְוֵ֣יbe./chag.Veiin/ [the] clefts of הַסֶּ֗לַעha./Se.la'the/ rock בְּסֵ֙תֶר֙be./Se.terin/ [the] hiding place of הַמַּדְרֵגָ֔הha./mad.re.Gahthe/ steep place הַרְאִ֙ינִי֙har.'I./nilet see/ me אֶת־'et-<obj.>מַרְאַ֔יִךְmar.'A.yi/khform/ your הַשְׁמִיעִ֖ינִיhash.mi.'I./nicause to hear/ me אֶת־'et-<obj.>קוֹלֵ֑ךְko.Le/khvoice/ your כִּי־ki-for קוֹלֵ֥ךְko.Le/khvoice/ your עָרֵ֖ב'a.Rev[is] sweet וּמַרְאֵ֥יךְu./mar.'Ei/khand/ form/ your נָאוֶֽה׃ סna.Veh[is] lovely

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Ezra 9:5 At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation with my tunic and cloak torn, and I fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God,
Song of Solomon 1:5 I am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
Song of Solomon 5:2 I sleep, but my heart is awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.”
Exodus 3:6 Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Song of Solomon 8:13 You who dwell in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice. Let me hear it!
Exodus 33:22 and when My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.
Exodus 4:11 And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
Song of Solomon 1:15 How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves.
Isaiah 51:3 For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.
Isaiah 60:8 Who are these who fly like clouds, like doves to their shelters?