Song of Solomon8

The Shulamite expresses a fervent desire for open affection with her beloved, wishing for unashamed intimacy. She then powerfully declares the invincible nature of love, stating it is as strong as death and cannot be quenched by waters or bought with wealth. The chapter also touches upon the protection of a younger sister's purity, the Shulamite's assertion of her own steadfastness, and concludes with a mutual invitation for continued communion.

A Wish for Unrestricted Affection

1
Who doth make thee as a brother to me, Sucking the breasts of my mother? I find thee without, I kiss thee, Yea, they do not despise me,
2
I lead thee, I bring thee in unto my mother's house, She doth teach me, I cause thee to drink of the perfumed wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate,
3
His left hand is under my head, And his right doth embrace me.
4
I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, How ye stir up, And how ye wake the love till she please!

The Couple Returns and Remembers

5
Who is this coming from the wilderness, Hasting herself for her beloved? Under the citron-tree I have waked thee, There did thy mother pledge thee, There she gave a pledge that bare thee.

Love's Invincible Strength

6
Set me as a seal on thy heart, as a seal on thine arm, For strong as death is love, Sharp as Sheol is jealousy, Its burnings are burnings of fire, a flame of Jah!
7
Many waters are not able to quench the love, And floods do not wash it away. If one give all the wealth of his house for love, Treading down--they tread upon it.

Counsel Regarding the Younger Sister

8
We have a little sister, and breasts she hath not, What do we do for our sister, In the day that it is told of her?
9
If she is a wall, we build by her a palace of silver. And if she is a door, We fashion by her board-work of cedar.
10
I am a wall, and my breasts as towers, Then I have been in his eyes as one finding peace.

The Shulamite's Exclusive Vineyard

11
Solomon hath a vineyard in Baal-Hamon, He hath given the vineyard to keepers, Each bringeth for its fruit a thousand silverlings;
12
My vineyard--my own--is before me, The thousand is for thee, O Solomon. And the two hundred for those keeping its fruit. O dweller in gardens!

Final Exchange and Invocation

13
The companions are attending to thy voice, Cause me to hear. Flee, my beloved, and be like to a roe,
14
Or to a young one of the harts on mountains of spices!
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