Deep Dive

Song of Solomon 8:6

A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →

Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unrelenting as Sheol. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all.

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Adam Clarke Bible Commentaryv. 6

The love of the bride to her spouse, and the nature of that love, Sol 8:1-7. The younger sister, Sol 8:8-10. Solomon's vineyard, Sol 8:11, Sol 8:12. The confidence of the bride and bridegroom in each other, Sol 8:13, Sol 8:14.

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 6

He had been a brother already. Why, then, this prayer here? It refers to the time after His resurrection, when the previous outward intimacy with Him was no longer allowed, but it was implied it should be renewed at the second coming (Joh 20:17). For this the Church here prays; meanwhile she enjoys inward spiritual communion with Him. The last who ever "kissed" Jesus Christ on earth was the traitor Judas. The bride's return with the King to her mother's house answers to Act 8:25, after the mission to Samaria. The rest spoken of (Sol 8:4) answers to Act 9:31. that sucked . . . mother--a brother born of the same mother; the closest tie.

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John Gill Bible Commentaryv. 6

INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 8 This chapter begins with an ardent wish of the church for a free and intimate converse with Christ; declaring what she would do to him, and for him, should she have such an interview with him, Sol 8:1; what familiarity should be between them, Sol 8:3; charging the daughters of Jerusalem not to give him any disturbance, Sol 8:4. Upon which they inquire who she was that was in such a posture they saw her in, Sol 8:5; when the church, instead of giving them an answer, says some things concerning her beloved, on whom they saw her leaning; and makes some requests to him for more nearness to him, and manifestations of his love to her; urged from the strength her love and affections to him, which was invincible, Sol 8:6. Next follows a speech of the church about her little sister; expressing a concern for her, and what she would do to her and with her, Sol 8:8; and the answer of the little sister, declaring what she, was, and what she enjoyed, Sol 8:10; then the words of the church again, concerning her husband's vineyard; the place, keepers, and profit of it, Sol 8:11. And the chapter, and with it the Song, is concluded with a request of Christ to the church, that he might hear her voice, Sol 8:13; and with a petition of hers to him, that he would come quickly to her, Sol 8:14.

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 6

8:6 seal over your heart . . . on your arm: In ancient Israel a seal was used for identification or to show ownership by pressing the face of a ring into soft wax. The wife wants her husband to mark her with his identity, privately upon her heart, and publicly upon her arm as well. • love is as strong as death: Though death is inevitable, the bond of love is resolute, unshakable, and broken only in death. • The energy of jealousy moves to protect an exclusive relationship such as that of husband and wife or between God and his people (Nah 1:2; Zech 1:14-17). • as the grave: Hebrew as Sheol. In the Old Testament, Sheol is the abode of the dead. It is not necessarily associated with punishment.

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Revelation of John 12:11rank 10

They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.

Isaiah 49:16rank 9

Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.

Proverbs 6:34rank 7

For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance.

Song of Solomon 5:8rank 7

O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you, if you find my beloved, tell him I am sick with love.

Jeremiah 22:24rank 7

“As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “even if you, Coniah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on My right hand, I would pull you off.

Haggai 2:23rank 7

On that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will take you, My servant, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and I will make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of Hosts.”

Numbers 5:14rank 7

and if a feeling of jealousy comes over her husband and he suspects his wife who has defiled herself—or if a feeling of jealousy comes over him and he suspects her even though she has not defiled herself—

Psalms 84:2rank 6

My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Psalms 120:4rank 5

Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!

Acts 21:13rank 5

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

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