Song of Solomon 8
Song of Solomon 8 describes the passionate love between the bride and her beloved. It conveys themes of desire, longing, and commitment, concluding with a reflection on the strength and value of true love. This chapter emphasizes the unquenchable nature of love, affirming its power and sacredness. The imagery and symbolism of this poetic book highlight the enduring and intense love between the couple, symbolizing divine love as well.
Song of Solomon 8:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Oh, that you were like my brother,
Who nursed at my mother’s breasts!
If I should find you outside,
I would kiss you;
I would not be despised.
2 I would lead you and bring you
Into the house of my mother,
She who used to instruct me.
I would cause you to drink of spiced wine,
Of the juice of my pomegranate.
3 His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand embraces me.
The bride expresses her longing to publicly display her love for her beloved without shame. Comparing her beloved to a brother allows for the expression of affection in a cultural context where public displays of romantic love were not accepted. She desires to bring him into the most intimate and nurturing spaces of her life, her mother’s home, offering her love symbolized by wine and fruit. The embrace in verse 3 reflects deep intimacy and affection.
Song of Solomon 8:4 (NKJV)
4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases.
The bride once again urges the women of Jerusalem not to rush or force love but to allow it to unfold naturally. Love, in its fullness, should not be hurried; it must develop in its own time, reflecting patience and wisdom in matters of the heart.
Song of Solomon 8:5 (NKJV)
5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness,
Leaning upon her beloved?
I awakened you under the apple tree.
There your mother brought you forth;
There she who bore you brought you forth.
The imagery of coming from the wilderness suggests a journey, possibly symbolizing the trials and growth of love. The bride leans on her beloved, signifying trust and reliance. The mention of the apple tree, a symbol of love and fertility, refers to the place where their love first blossomed and recalls the origins of their deep connection.
Song of Solomon 8:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor can the floods drown it.
If a man would give for love
All the wealth of his house,
It would be utterly despised.
These verses emphasize the permanence and intensity of true love. The seal represents ownership and commitment, and love’s strength is compared to death and the grave, both powerful and inevitable. Love is depicted as a flame that cannot be extinguished by any external force, such as water. The value of love surpasses any material wealth, highlighting that love cannot be bought or traded; it is priceless.
Song of Solomon 8:8-9 (NKJV)
8 We have a little sister,
And she has no breasts.
What shall we do for our sister
In the day when she is spoken for?
9 If she is a wall,
We will build upon her
A battlement of silver;
And if she is a door,
We will enclose her
With boards of cedar.
These verses speak of a younger sister who is not yet mature. The family wonders how to prepare her for marriage. If she is strong and pure, symbolized by a wall, they will honor her with silver. If she is more open or vulnerable, like a door, they will protect her with cedar, symbolizing a protective barrier. This reflects a concern for her future and the family's role in her protection and guidance.
Song of Solomon 8:10 (NKJV)
10 I am a wall,
And my breasts like towers;
Then I became in his eyes
As one who found peace.
The bride declares her maturity and readiness for love. She compares herself to a wall and towers, indicating strength and stability. Her beloved views her as someone who brings peace, symbolizing the harmony and fulfillment found in their relationship.
Song of Solomon 8:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon;
He leased the vineyard to keepers;
Everyone was to bring for its fruit
A thousand silver coins.
12 My own vineyard is before me.
You, O Solomon, may have a thousand,
And those who tend its fruit two hundred.
The bride compares herself to a vineyard, symbolizing her own body and love. She contrasts her personal vineyard with Solomon’s vast vineyard, indicating that while Solomon may have riches, her love is personal and freely given, not something that can be leased or traded. This emphasizes the intimate and priceless nature of her love.
Song of Solomon 8:13 (NKJV)
13 You who dwell in the gardens,
The companions listen for your voice—
Let me hear it!
The beloved longs to hear the voice of the bride. He cherishes her presence, and her voice is as valuable as the beauty of the garden in which she dwells. This reflects the desire for deeper connection and communication in their relationship.
Song of Solomon 8:14 (NKJV)
14 Make haste, my beloved,
And be like a gazelle
Or a young stag
On the mountains of spices.
The chapter closes with the bride urging her beloved to come quickly to her, using the imagery of a gazelle or stag, which are swift and graceful. The “mountains of spices” symbolize a place of beauty and sensuality, indicating her eagerness for the union with her beloved. The chapter ends on a note of anticipation and longing for closeness.