The next poem in the Song also comes from the young woman (Song of Solomon 2:8–17). This poem expresses its emotion through creative poetic imagery. The theme of winter ending and springtime arriving holds this poem together. Whereas the back-and-forth interaction between the young woman and her beloved in Song of Solomon 1:2 – 2:7 celebrated intimacy and closeness, the overall mood expressed by this poem is emotional distance and a yearning to overcome that distance so that they can experience intimacy.1 The poem does not describe actual events but rather expresses their yearning to overcome the emotional distance in their relationship.
In our reading of the whole Song, Song of Solomon 3:6 – 5:1 is going to describe the much-anticipated wedding and consummation of the two lovers’ marriage. So, Song of Solomon 2:8 – 3:5 (which includes the young woman’s poem in Song of Solomon 2:8–17) expresses both the excitement of what is to come, but also the frustration and dangers of waiting and longing for it.
The first thing the young woman anticipates in her poem in Song of Solomon 2:8–17 is the imminent arrival of her beloved. With excitement, she anticipates seeing him and hearing his voice.
8 The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills.