Song of Songs 8:8-14

Friends

8 We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?
9 If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.

She

10 I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment.
11 Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon; he let out his vineyard to tenants. Each was to bring for its fruit a thousand shekels[a] of silver.
12 But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, and two hundred[b] are for those who tend its fruit.

He

13 You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!

She

14 Come away, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.

Song of Songs 8:8-14 Meaning and Commentary

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, So 8:1,2; what familiarity should be between them, So 8:3; charging the daughters of Jerusalem not to give him any disturbance, So 8:4. Upon which they inquire who she was that was in such a posture they saw her in, So 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, So 8:6,7. 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, So 8:8,9; and the answer of the little sister, declaring what she, was, and what she enjoyed, So 8:10; then the words of the church again, concerning her husband's vineyard; the place, keepers, and profit of it, So 8:11,12. And the chapter, and with it the Song, is concluded with a request of Christ to the church, that he might hear her voice, So 8:13; and with a petition of hers to him, that he would come quickly to her, So 8:14.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Ecclesiastes 2:4
  • 2. Isaiah 7:23
  • 3. S Song of Songs 1:6
  • 4. S Proverbs 5:19
  • 5. S Song of Songs 2:9
  • 6. S Song of Songs 2:8,17

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. That is, about 25 pounds or about 12 kilograms; also in verse 12
  • [b]. That is, about 5 pounds or about 2.3 kilograms
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