Song Of Solomon 1:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

Complete Jewish Bible:

[Chorus] If you do not know, you most beautiful of women, then follow the footprints of the flock and let your kids graze by the shepherds' tents.

Berean Standard Bible:

If you do not know, O fairest of women, follow the tracks of the flock, and graze your young goats near the tents of the shepherds.

American Standard Version:

If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

If thou know^{H3045} not, O thou fairest^{H3303} among women^{H802}, go thy way forth^{H3318} by the footsteps^{H6119} of the flock^{H6629}, and feed^{H7462} thy kids^{H1429} beside the shepherds^{H7462}' tents^{H4908}.

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Commentary for Song Of Solomon 1:8

Song of Solomon 1:8 is a verse from an Old Testament book also known as Song of Songs or Canticles, traditionally attributed to King Solomon. This book is a collection of lyrical poems that celebrate love, desire, beauty, and the longing between two lovers. The verse itself is part of a dialogue where the woman is being addressed by either the man (her lover) or by a chorus of women.

In the historical context, the Song of Solomon is unique in the Hebrew Bible for its unabashed celebration of human love and sexuality, diverging from the more common themes of law, history, and prophecy found in other biblical texts. It is thought to have been written in the tenth century BCE, during the reign of Solomon, or perhaps later and only attributed to him due to his reputation for wisdom and literary prowess.

The verse, "If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents," is rich in pastoral imagery and metaphor. The woman is encouraged to join the flock and participate in the shepherding life, which is a common motif in ancient love poetry, symbolizing both innocence and the nurturing aspect of love. The instruction to "go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock" suggests a journey or a pursuit of love, while "feed thy kids" implies care and intimacy. The reference to the "fairest among women" underscores the high regard in which the woman is held, and the shepherds' tents evoke a setting of rural simplicity and closeness to nature.

The themes of this verse include the beauty and desirability of the beloved, the journey of love, and the nurturing of that love in a pastoral, almost idyllic setting. It speaks to the natural progression of romance, from attraction to the fostering of a deeper, more committed relationship. The verse also reflects the broader themes of the Song of Solomon, which include the mutuality and equality of love between the sexes, the goodness of physical desire within the context of a committed relationship, and the sanctity of the love bond.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3303
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָפֶה
   Transliteration: yâpheh
   Pronunciation: yaw-feh'
   Description: from יָפָה; beautiful (literally or figuratively); [phrase] beautiful, beauty, comely, fair(-est, one), [phrase] goodly, pleasant, well.
   
3. Strong's Number: H802
   There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִשָּׁה
   Transliteration: ʼishshâh
   Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
   Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6119
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָקֵב
   Transliteration: ʻâqêb
   Pronunciation: aw-kabe'
   Description: or (feminine) עִקְּבָה; from עָקַב; a heel (as protuberant); hence, a track; figuratively, the rear (of an army); heel, (horse-) hoof, last, lier in wait (by mistake for עָקֵב), (foot-) step.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6629
   There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צֹאן
   Transliteration: tsôʼn
   Pronunciation: tsone
   Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds).
   
7. Strong's Number: H7462
   There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָעָה
   Transliteration: râʻâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend); [idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, [phrase] shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1429
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גְּדִיָּה
   Transliteration: gᵉdîyâh
   Pronunciation: ghed-ee-yaw'
   Description: feminine of גְּדִי; a young female goat; kid.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4908
   There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִשְׁכָּן
   Transliteration: mishkân
   Pronunciation: mish-kawn'
   Description: from שָׁכַן; a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls); dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent.