1 O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised.
2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.
3 His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.
4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.
5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.
6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
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 palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.
10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour.
11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.
12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it.
14 Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.
Chapter 8 of the Song of Solomon is the concluding chapter of the book. It is a profound and poetic exploration of love, desire, and the longing for intimacy. The chapter is written in the form of a dialogue, featuring the voices of a woman, identified as the Shulamite, and her lover, presumably Solomon. The chapter is filled with imagery and metaphors that illustrate the emotional depth and spiritual significance of their relationship. The overarching theme of this chapter is the power and permanence of love, which is depicted as strong as death and unquenchable by many waters.
The chapter begins with the Shulamite expressing a wish that Solomon were her brother, nursed at her mother's breasts. This wish is not to be taken in a literal sense, but rather it represents her longing for the kind of public familiarity and closeness that would allow her to express her love for him openly and without shame. This is a reflection of the societal norms of the time, where expressions of love and affection were subject to strict public decorum.
The Shulamite then delves into the depth of her love for Solomon, comparing it to a flame that is as strong as death. This metaphor is significant because it captures the intensity and the all-consuming nature of her love. It is a love that is unyielding and relentless, much like death. She further describes her love as a fire that many waters cannot quench, nor can the floods drown it. This is a testament to the enduring and unquenchable nature of her love for Solomon. It is a love that can withstand the trials and tribulations of life, a love that is steadfast and unchanging, regardless of circumstances.
In verse 7, the Shulamite states, "If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned." This statement underscores the idea that love is priceless and cannot be bought or traded. It is a gift that is freely given and received, and its value far exceeds any worldly riches or possessions. This verse also serves as a critique of the materialistic culture that often equates love with wealth and possessions.
In verses 8 and 9, the Shulamite's brothers are introduced. They express concern for their sister's innocence and purity and discuss plans to protect her from being taken advantage of. This reflects the societal standards of the time, where a woman's virtue was highly prized and closely guarded. However, the Shulamite asserts her maturity and capability to handle her own affairs. She confidently declares, "I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour." This statement is a declaration of her womanhood and her readiness for love and marriage. It also signifies her transition from a girl under the protection of her brothers to a woman capable of making her own decisions.
In the final verses of the chapter, the metaphor of the vineyard is used to symbolize love. The Shulamite refers to Solomon having a vineyard at Baalhamon and renting it out to keepers, who are to bring him a thousand pieces of silver for its fruit. However, she claims her own vineyard, which she has kept for herself, to be worth more than Solomon's. This could be interpreted as a statement of the Shulamite's self-worth and the value she places on her love for Solomon. Her vineyard, her love, is not for rent or sale, but is a gift to be freely given.
The chapter ends with a poignant exchange between the lovers. The Shulamite invites Solomon to come away with her to the vineyards to see if the vine flourishes and the pomegranates bud. This is an invitation to continue their journey of love and to nurture their relationship. The final verse, "Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices," is a call for Solomon to pursue her with the same passion and eagerness as a deer bounding over the mountains.
Chapter 8 of the Song of Solomon is a rich and complex exploration of love and desire. The chapter is filled with various images and metaphors that illuminate the depth and intensity of the Shulamite's love for Solomon. The themes of the chapter revolve around the power and permanence of love, the value of love over material possessions, the transition from innocence to maturity, and the cultivation and nurturing of love. The chapter serves as a poignant conclusion to the book, encapsulating the essence of the Song of Solomon as a celebration of love in all its forms.
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