1. Song of Solomon 4:6 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does it mean for the day to breathe and the shadows to flee?

Song of Solomon 4:6 (ESV)

6 Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, I will go away to the mountain of myrrh and the hill of frankincense.

As in Song of Solomon 2:17, the phrase Until the day breathes, and the shadows flee probably refers to the coming of morning. Whereas the woman told the young man to turn around and go away in Song of Solomon 2:1–17, now the time for the consummation of their relationship has come.1 The man breaks off from his admiration and declares his intention to make love to her. His words echo her invitation in Song of Solomon 2:17, where she spoke of loving until the break of day and where also her breasts were represented as mountains.2