Translation
THE PEACEFUL WOMAN TO HER OWN DAUGHTERS
Listen, the voice of the one I love. Look! Here he comes,
leaping
Go to footnote numberacross the mountains,
Go to footnote numberspringing
Go to footnote numberover
the hills.
Go to footnote numberParaphrase
THE COMPLETE WOMAN TO HER OWN DAUGHTERS
Listen, the voice of the one I love. Look! Here he comes,
his vigor, agility, and strength are undaunted by great obstacles; his vigor, agility and strength are undaunted even if there are many obstacles.
Footnotes
1
Leaping was a metaphor for vigor and strength.
2
Mountains were usually a symbol of strength. This can be strength for defense, or strong opposition against you, depending on your position and your purpose. Mountains can also signify righteousness, authority, or in a negative sense, the haughty and proud, in other words, anything lifted up. When traveling is in view they are obstacles and hardships to overcome, much more difficult than a level road. The last description is in view in this verse.
3
Springing was also a synonym of vigor and strength. The Hebrew word literally means “to contract, to shut.” The reason it can also mean to spring, is that members of the deer family jump or spring straight into the air by contracting their leg muscles and pulling their legs together directly under them. This action of deer and gazelles is called “stotting,” but since we don’t use that word regularly, I will refer to it as springing.
4
Hills were a synonym for mountains, and meant the same thing—in this case obstacles for the traveler. The only difference is that mountains are larger and hills are found in greater numbers.