Song of Songs 3:3

Song of Songs 3:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
• New International Version (NIV)The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. “Have you seen the one my heart loves?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)The watchmen found me as they went about in the city. "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, “Have you seen the one I love?”

Context of Song of Songs 3:3

1“On my bed night after night I sought him Whom my soul loves; I sought him but did not find him. 2‘I must arise now and go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I must seek him whom my soul loves.’ I sought him but did not find him. The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me, And I said, ‘Have you seen him whom my soul loves?’ 4Scarcely had I left them When I found him whom my soul loves; I held on to him and would not let him go Until I had brought him to my mother’s house, And into the room of her who conceived me.” 5“I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you will not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases.”

Song of Songs 3:3 word by word

מְצָא֙וּנִי֙ הַשֹּׁ֣מְרִ֔ים הַסֹּבְבִ֖ים בָּעִ֑יר אֵ֛ת שֶׁאָהֲבָ֥ה נַפְשִׁ֖י רְאִיתֶֽם׃Read the interlinear

• The watchmenשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: guardH8104
• who makeסָבַבsâbab · to turn: turnH5437
• in the cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
• foundמָצָאmâtsâ' · to findH4672
• Have you seenרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• him whomשֶׁלshel · whichH7945
• my soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soulH5315
• lovesאָהֵב'âhab 'âhêb · to love: loverH157

Commentaries on Song of Songs 3:3

• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3The watchmen in ancient towns or cities were like police. They enforced social customs and laws. Positioned on city walls, they watched for attacks and ensured that any traffic entering or leaving the city was safe. The woman may have been stopped because she was not a city resident and was unfamiliar. It was not appropriate for a woman to be out alone at night. This scene highlights the woman's strong desire for the man, as she ignored social rules and…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. watchmen--ministers (Is 62:6; Jr 6:17; Eze 3:17; He 13:17), fit persons to consult (Is 21:11; Mal 2:7). found me--the general ministry of the Word "finds" individually souls in quest of Jesus Christ (Ge 24:27, end of verse Ac 16:14); whereas formalists remain unaffected.Read the comment
• Rashi on Tanakh · v. 3The watchmen who patrol the city found me Moses and Aaron.Read the comment

Topics related to Song of Songs 3:3

• Seekers
• Watchman

In the dictionaries

• Hold
• Watchman
• Street

Commentaries on Song of Songs 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary