Song of Solomon – Chapter 8

Oh, that you were like a brother to me,
who nursed at my mother’s breasts!
If I found you outside, I would kiss you,
and no one would despise me.
I would lead you and bring you
into the house of my mother,
she who used to teach me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
the juice of my pomegranates.
His left arm is under my head
and his right arm embraces me.
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it pleases.

Who is this coming up from the wilderness
leaning on her beloved?
Under the apple tree I aroused you;
there your mother conceived you,
there she gave you birth.

Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot sweep it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of one’s house for love,
it would be utterly scorned.

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

I am a wall,
and my breasts are like towers.
Thus I have become in his eyes
one who finds peace.

Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon;
he let out his vineyard to tenants.
Each was to bring for its fruit
a thousand shekels of silver.
But my own vineyard is mine to give;
the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,
and two hundred for those who tend its fruit.

You who dwell in the gardens,
my companions listen for your voice;
let me hear it!

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

Unlocking the Heart of Song of Solomon – Chapter 8

Welcome, aspiring literary explorers, to a journey into the captivating world of Song of Solomon – Chapter 8. This concluding chapter of the ancient love poem offers a profound and passionate declaration of enduring affection, mutual devotion, and the invincible power of love. It stands as a timeless testament to human connection, celebrated for its lyrical beauty and emotional depth.

A Glimpse into the Chapter’s Essence

Song of Solomon – Chapter 8 serves as a powerful culmination, bringing the narrative of love to a triumphant close. It is presented primarily as a dialogue between the Shulamite woman and her beloved, with occasional interjections from the “Daughters of Jerusalem” and her brothers. The chapter encapsulates the essence of their relationship, moving from a yearning for public affirmation to an unshakeable declaration of love’s strength and exclusivity. Its enduring appeal lies in its universal depiction of desire, commitment, and the profound joy found in a cherished bond.

Central Ideas and Enduring Wisdom

At its core, Song of Solomon – Chapter 8 champions the supremacy of love. It asserts that true love is an unyielding force, stronger than death and beyond any material price. The chapter also explores the desire for uninhibited intimacy and public acknowledgment, contrasting societal norms with the raw honesty of passionate affection. Furthermore, it delves into themes of self-possession, protection, and the unique, personal “vineyard” of one’s heart, which is given freely and exclusively to the beloved. This chapter leaves readers with a powerful understanding of love’s invincible nature and its priceless value.

A Comprehensive Summary of Song of Solomon – Chapter 8

Song of Solomon – Chapter 8 unfolds as a series of passionate declarations and intimate exchanges, bringing the entire poetic narrative to a resonant conclusion.

The Longing for Uninhibited Affection

The chapter opens with the woman expressing a fervent wish for her beloved to be like a brother. This desire is not for a platonic relationship, but for a bond so pure and accepted that public displays of affection, such as kissing, would be met with no societal scorn. This longing for uninhibited intimacy is evident in lines such as:

Oh, that you were like a brother to me,
who nursed at my mother’s breasts!
If I found you outside, I would kiss you,
and no one would despise me.

She envisions leading him to her mother’s house, a place of comfort and learning, where she would offer him “spiced wine” and “the juice of my pomegranates,” symbolizing deep intimacy and shared delight.

Intimacy and the Warning to Jerusalem’s Daughters

Following this expression of desire, the scene shifts to a moment of tender embrace, with the beloved’s arm around her. This intimate posture is immediately followed by the repeated admonition to the “Daughters of Jerusalem” not to “arouse or awaken love until it pleases.” This warning, appearing multiple times throughout the Song, emphasizes the sacred timing and organic nature of true love, suggesting it cannot be forced or prematurely stirred:

His left arm is under my head
and his right arm embraces me.
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it pleases.

The Triumphant Return and Unbreakable Bond

A rhetorical question then introduces a majestic image of the couple returning from the wilderness, leaning on each other, a powerful symbol of their mutual support and journey together:

Who is this coming up from the wilderness
leaning on her beloved?

This image suggests a triumphant return, having navigated challenges together. The woman then recalls a moment of awakening love “under the apple tree,” a place of origin and deep personal significance.

Love’s Unyielding Power and Possession

The heart of the chapter lies in the woman’s passionate plea for permanent, exclusive possession, expressed through the metaphor of a seal:

Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;

This request signifies a desire for an unbreakable bond, a mark of ownership and identity. This is immediately followed by one of the most iconic declarations in literature, asserting love’s overwhelming strength and unyielding nature:

for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot sweep it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of one’s house for love,
it would be utterly scorned.

This passage powerfully conveys that love is an irresistible force, impervious to external challenges and beyond any material value.

The Sister and the Vineyard: Protection and Self-Possession

The narrative then shifts to a brief dialogue concerning a “young sister” whose “breasts are not yet grown.” This discussion, likely involving her brothers, explores how to protect and prepare her for love. The imagery of building a “turret of silver” on a “wall” or enclosing a “door” with “panels of cedar” speaks to safeguarding innocence and ensuring a proper, secure path to maturity.

The woman then declares her own maturity and self-possession:

I am a wall,
and my breasts are like towers.
Thus I have become in his eyes
one who finds peace.

This assertion signifies her readiness for love, her strength, and the peace she has found in her relationship.

The Vineyard of Self and Shared Love

A contrast is drawn between King Solomon’s vineyard, which he leases out for profit, and the woman’s “own vineyard,” which she keeps for herself and her beloved. This “vineyard” symbolizes her self, her love, and her intimacy, which she freely gives to her beloved, not for gain, but out of devotion:

Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon;
he let out his vineyard to tenants.
Each was to bring for its fruit
a thousand shekels of silver.
But my own vineyard is mine to give;
the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,
and two hundred for those who tend its fruit.

This passage underscores the priceless and personal nature of her love, which cannot be bought or sold.

The Call to Return and the Enduring Song

The chapter concludes with a final exchange. The beloved calls for her voice, acknowledging her presence among companions in the gardens. Her response is an invitation for him to “flee” with her, to be “like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.” This final image suggests a desire for continued adventure, intimacy, and an everlasting, vibrant connection, leaving the reader with a sense of love’s ongoing journey.

Deepening Understanding: An Analysis of Song of Solomon – Chapter 8

Song of Solomon – Chapter 8 is a masterpiece of ancient poetry, rich with literary and poetic devices that amplify its themes of love, desire, and commitment. A close examination reveals the artistry behind its enduring impact.

Literary Devices Illuminating Love’s Depths

  • Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within close proximity creates a musicality that enhances the poem’s lyrical quality. For instance, the long “e” sound echoes in “she who used to teach me” (verse 2), drawing attention to the intimate bond and shared history. Similarly, the “i” sound in “spiced wine” (verse 2) adds a sensory richness.
  • Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds contributes to the poem’s rhythm and emphasis. The repeated “s” sound in “love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave” (verse 6) reinforces the formidable and inescapable nature of love. The “r” sound in “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away” (verse 7) underscores the relentless power of affection.
  • Imagery: The poem is replete with vivid sensory details that allow readers to experience the emotions and settings. Examples include the taste of “spiced wine” and “the juice of my pomegranates” (verse 2), the tactile sensation of “His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me” (verse 3), and the visual of “coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved” (verse 5). The “blazing fire” and “mighty flame” (verse 6) vividly depict love’s intensity, while “gazelle” and “young stag on the spice-laden mountains” (verse 14) evoke freedom and passion.
  • Metaphor: Implied comparisons between unlike things deepen the chapter’s meaning. The plea “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm” (verse 6) uses the metaphor of a seal to represent permanent possession, identity, and an unbreakable bond. The woman’s declaration “I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers” (verse 10) metaphorically portrays her maturity, strength, and readiness for love. The “vineyard” (verses 11-12) serves as a metaphor for the woman’s self, her love, and her intimacy, which she possesses and gives exclusively to her beloved.
  • Rhetorical Question: A question posed not for an answer, but to make a point or evoke a particular image. “Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?” (verse 5) serves to draw attention to the couple’s triumphant and mutually supportive return, emphasizing their strong bond to the onlookers.
  • Simile: Direct comparisons using “like” or “as” create powerful and relatable images. The most striking example is “love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave” (verse 6), which powerfully conveys love’s overwhelming and inescapable nature. Further similes include love burning “like blazing fire, like a mighty flame” (verse 6) and the beloved being invited to be “like a gazelle or like a young stag” (verse 14), suggesting agility, freedom, and vitality.
  • Symbolism: Objects and concepts are used to represent deeper meanings. The “seal” (verse 6) symbolizes ownership, permanence, and an indelible mark of love. “Many waters” and “rivers” (verse 7) symbolize obstacles or attempts to diminish love, which ultimately fail. The “vineyard” (verses 11-12) symbolizes the individual’s self, their capacity for love, and their fertility, which is cherished and protected. The “wall” and “towers” (verse 9-10) symbolize maturity, strength, and protection, particularly in the context of a woman’s readiness for love. The “apple tree” (verse 5) often symbolizes the awakening of love or a place of significant intimacy.

Poetic Devices Shaping the Chapter’s Rhythm and Emotion