Who are the daughters of Jerusalem in Song of Solomon?

Response

The “daughters of Jerusalem” are mentioned seven times in the Song of Solomon. These individuals are clearly female, but who are they exactly?

The most probable identification of the daughters of Jerusalem is that they were the young, unmarried women of Jerusalem, the city where Solomon resided. Some translations use “maidens,” “virgins,” or “young women” instead of “daughters.” Examining this term’s usage in the book helps to support this interpretation. In Song of Solomon 1:5, the Shulammite declares, “I am dark, but lovely, daughters of Jerusalem.” In contrast to the “dark” complexion of Solomon’s beloved, it appears that the daughters of Jerusalem had lighter skin. This could suggest that the daughters of Jerusalem were wealthier or worked indoors, as the Shulammite attributes her dark skin to toiling in the sun’s heat (verse 6).

Song of Solomon 2:7 states, “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 is a significant passage in the book, as the instruction not to “awaken love” is reiterated elsewhere. Once again, the Shulammite addresses the other women in the vicinity, advising them not to rush love but to let it unfold naturally. This same directive is also present when the daughters of Jerusalem are mentioned in Song of Solomon 3:5 and 8:4. The Shulammite is offering her counsel to the other young women in the town.

In Song of Solomon 3:10–11, the Shulammite once more speaks to the young women of Jerusalem: “Go out, O daughters of Jerusalem, and look upon King Solomon, with the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, on the day of the gladness of his heart.” The passage describes a royal carriage that Solomon had constructed (verse 9). Some translations suggest that the interior of Solomon’s carriage was adorned “by the daughter.

Some translations of the Bible refer to the “daughters of Jerusalem” (e.g., NASB, ESV, NET, ISV). This detail may provide us with an additional hint: the daughters of Jerusalem might be the female household servants of King Solomon.

Song of Solomon 5:8 also makes mention of the daughters of Jerusalem, stating, “Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you— / if you find my beloved, / what will you tell him? / Tell him I am faint with love.” This instruction to the daughters of Jerusalem also reinforces the notion that they were household servants. If they happen to encounter the king during the day, they are instructed to inform him that Solomon’s new wife is lovesick and desires to be with him.

Song of Solomon 5:16 concludes a description of Solomon with “he is altogether lovely. / This is my beloved, this is my friend, / daughters of Jerusalem.” The Shulammite’s husband is both her lover and her friend, a fact she openly proclaims to the young women of the city.

Throughout the song, there are several instances where a group of people respond to what Solomon and the Shulammite express (Song of Solomon 1:4,11;5:9;6:13;et al:). These speakers could very well be the daughters of Jerusalem whom the Shulammite frequently addresses.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses a group of women as “daughters of Jerusalem” on one occasion. While Jesus carried His cross to Calvary, many women followed Him in mourning. He tells them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children” «But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. », (Luke 23:28). Jesus was speaking generally to all the women in the city of Jerusalem and specifically to those near Him.

The daughters of Jerusalem have a minor yet significant role in the Song of Solomon. As the young maidens of the city, they are depicted as having a close connection to the events unfolding.The city heeded advice from Solomon’s wife, gaining wisdom about romance. If they were indeed servants in Solomon’s household, they would have naturally been an audience as they prepared for the wedding and served their new queen.