Song of Solomon 8
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
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.
Open source ↗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.
Open source ↗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.
Open source ↗8:1-4 The woman expresses her desire to be with the man and in his embrace. 8:1 If he were her brother she could kiss him publicly; romantic kisses were not appropriate in public, but kisses between blood relatives were acceptable.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יָנַק (yânaq, H3243) — to suck; causatively, to give milk שַׁד (shad, H7699) — the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging) אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors נָשַׁק (nâshaq, H5401) — to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with… בּוּז (bûwz, H936) — to disrespect
Open source ↗נָהַג (nâhag, H5090) — to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to רֶקַח (reqach, H7544) — properly, perfumery, i.e. (by implication) spicery (for flavor) יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication עָסִיס (ʻâçîyç, H6071) — must or fresh grape-juice (as just trodden out) רִמּוֹן (rimmôwn, H7416) — a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial…
Open source ↗שְׂמֹאול (sᵉmôʼwl, H8040) — properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… חָבַק (châbaq, H2263) — to clasp (the hands or in embrace)
Open source ↗שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עוּר (ʻûwr, H5782) — to wake (literally or figuratively) אַהֲבָה (ʼahăbâh, H160) — {affection (in a good or a bad sense)} חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to…
Open source ↗עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… רָפַק (râphaq, H7514) — to recline דּוֹד (dôwd, H1730) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle עוּר (ʻûwr, H5782) — to wake (literally or figuratively) תַּפּוּחַ (tappûwach, H8598) — an apple (from its fragrance), i.e. the fruit or the tree (probably includ. others of the… אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… חָבַל (châbal, H2254) — to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to… יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show…
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… חוֹתָם (chôwthâm, H2368) — a signature-ring לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force אַהֲבָה (ʼahăbâh, H160) — {affection (in a good or a bad sense)} עַז (ʻaz, H5794) — strong, vehement, harsh מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… קִנְאָה (qinʼâh, H7068) — jealousy or envy קָשֶׁה (qâsheh, H7186) — severe (in various applications) שְׁאוֹל (shᵉʼôwl, H7585) — Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories… רֶשֶׁף (resheph, H7565) — a live coal; by analogy lightning; figuratively, an arrow, (as flashing through the air);… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) שַׁלְהֶבֶת (shalhebeth, H7957) — a flare of fire
Open source ↗רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) כָּבָה (kâbâh, H3518) — to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger) אַהֲבָה (ʼahăbâh, H160) — {affection (in a good or a bad sense)} נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… שָׁטַף (shâṭaph, H7857) — to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) הוֹן (hôwn, H1952) — wealth; by implication, enough בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בּוּז (bûwz, H936) — to disrespect
Open source ↗קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) שַׁד (shad, H7699) — the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) טִירָה (ṭîyrâh, H2918) — a wall; hence, a fortress or a hamlet כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor צוּר (tsûwr, H6696) — to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or… לוּחַ (lûwach, H3871) — probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
Open source ↗חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection שַׁד (shad, H7699) — the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging) מִגְדָּל (migdâl, H4026) — a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,…
Open source ↗שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard בַּעַל הָמוֹן (Baʻal Hâmôwn, H1174) — Baal-Hamon, a place in Palestine נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נָטַר (nâṭar, H5201) — to guard; figuratively, to cherish (anger) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… פְּרִי (pᵉrîy, H6529) — fruit (literally or figuratively) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
Open source ↗כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… נָטַר (nâṭar, H5201) — to guard; figuratively, to cherish (anger) פְּרִי (pᵉrîy, H6529) — fruit (literally or figuratively) מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
Open source ↗יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… גַּן (gan, H1588) — a garden (as fenced) חָבֵר (châbêr, H2270) — an associate קָשַׁב (qâshab, H7181) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,…
Open source ↗בָּרַח (bârach, H1272) — to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee suddenly דּוֹד (dôwd, H1730) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle דָּמָה (dâmâh, H1819) — to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider צְבִי (tsᵉbîy, H6643) — splendor (as conspicuous); also a gazelle (as beautiful) עֹפֶר (ʻôpher, H6082) — a fawn (from the dusty color) אַיָּל (ʼayâl, H354) — a stag or male deer הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) בֶּשֶׂם (besem, H1314) — fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem!See, your King comes to you,righteous and victorious,humble and riding on a donkey,on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
I will shake all the nations, and they will come with all their treasures, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Hosts.
“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.
But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.