The “daughters of Jerusalem” are mentioned several times throughout the Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs. This poetic book tells the story of the love between King Solomon and the Shulammite woman. The “daughters of Jerusalem” seem to be a group of women who observe their love story and interact with the Shulammite at certain points.
Here are some key facts about the “daughters of Jerusalem” in Song of Songs:
- They are addressed directly by the Shulammite woman multiple times (Song of Songs 1:5, 2:7, 3:5, 5:8, 5:16, 8:4).
- Their identity is not definitively stated, but most scholars believe they are ladies of the royal court of Jerusalem.
- They seem to be impressed by the Shulammite’s beauty and relationship with King Solomon.
- At times they speak to the Shulammite or she speaks to them to describe the progression of her relationship with King Solomon.
- The Shulammite charges them twice not to stir up love before it is ready (Song of Songs 2:7, 3:5).
- She asks them to help her find and appreciate her beloved (Song of Songs 5:8).
- They praise the Shulammite woman’s beauty (Song of Songs 6:9).
Looking at some specific passages gives more insight into the role of the “daughters of Jerusalem”:
Song of Songs 1:5
I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
Here the Shulammite woman describes her dark complexion to the daughters of Jerusalem but affirms she is still lovely. This demonstrates the daughters are present as she describes herself.
Song of Songs 2:7
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.
The Shulammite earnestly charges the daughters of Jerusalem not to force love before the proper time. This implies the daughters of Jerusalem want to understand the development of her relationship with Solomon.
Song of Songs 3:5
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.
This repeats the charge she gave in chapter 2, emphasizing the daughters’ eagerness to witness the progression of her love for King Solomon.
Song of Songs 5:8
O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am sick with love.
Here the Shulammite asks the daughters of Jerusalem for help in connecting with her beloved after they had been separated for a time. She wants them to affirm her deep love for Solomon if they encounter him.
Song of Songs 5:16
His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
The Shulammite woman raves to the daughters of Jerusalem about how attractive and delightful she finds her beloved Solomon to be. She wants to share her admiration of him with those around her.
Song of Songs 6:9
My dove, my perfect one, is the only one, the only one of her mother, pure to her who bore her. The young women saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines also, and they praised her.
Here the daughters of Jerusalem are referred to as “young women” who proclaim blessings on the perfect beauty of the Shulammite woman. They recognize her purity and sing her praises.
Song of Songs 8:4
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.
For a third time the Shulammite earnestly repeats her charge to the daughters of Jerusalem not to incite love prematurely. This underscores their fascination with her romantic relationship.
In summary, the “daughters of Jerusalem” appear to be royal ladies of the court who are enthralled with the Shulammite woman’s beauty and relationship with King Solomon. She interacts with them directly throughout the book, charging them, asking for their help, and sharing details of her love. They seem honored to witness the progression of the regal romance unfolding before them.
While their identity and significance can be debated, the “daughters of Jerusalem” clearly play an important supporting role as the Shulammite’s confidantes and admirers in this poetic celebration of love.
Other Key Questions
Some other questions that arise about the identity of the “daughters of Jerusalem” include:
- Are they servants/attendants of the Shulammite woman?
- Are they simply ladies of Jerusalem, daughters in the sense of citizens?
- Are they Solomon’s harem or other royal women?
- Are they imagery symbolizing innocence or righteousness?
- Are they friends of the Shulammite who encourage her relationship with Solomon?
There are reasonable arguments from Scripture for these various perspectives. But their role as admiring observers and confidantes of the Shulammite seems most clearly defined, whether they are specifically royal court ladies or more general figures.
In the end, the Song of Songs is a poetic work that does not give absolute details about every character. But it clearly presents the “daughters of Jerusalem” as engaged participants in the story of love between Solomon and his bride, which is the primary focus and message of the book.