Song of Solomon 8:8-14

8 We have a little sister, And she hath no breasts: What shall we do for our sister In the day when she shall be spoken for? --
9 If she be a wall, We will build upon her a turret of silver; And if she be a door, We will enclose her with boards of cedar.
10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers; Then was I in his eyes as one that findeth peace.
11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon: He let out the vineyard unto keepers; Every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand silver-pieces.
12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: The thousand [silver-pieces] be to thee, Solomon; And to the keepers of its fruit, two hundred.
13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens, The companions hearken to thy voice: Let me hear [it].
14 Haste, my beloved, And be thou like a gazelle or a young hart Upon the mountains of spices.

Song of Solomon 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.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Meaning, 'Master of a multitude.'
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.