Song Of Solomon 4:8

KJV

¶ Come with me from Lebanon, [my] spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

KJV (with Strong's)

Come {H935} with me from Lebanon {H3844}, my spouse {H3618}, with me from Lebanon {H3844}: look {H7789} from the top {H7218} of Amana {H549}, from the top {H7218} of Shenir {H8149} and Hermon {H2768}, from the lions {H738}' dens {H4585}, from the mountains {H2042} of the leopards {H5246}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Come with me from the L'vanon, my bride, come with me from the L'vanon. Come down from the heights of Amanah, from the heights of S'nir and Hermon, down from the lions' lairs and the leopard-haunted hills.

Berean Standard Bible

Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, come with me from Lebanon! Descend from the peak of Amana, from the summits of Senir and Hermon, from the dens of the lions, from the mountains of the leopards.

American Standard Version

Come with me from Lebanon, mybride, With me from Lebanon: Look from the top of Amana, From the top of Senir and Hermon, From the lions’ dens, From the mountains of the leopards.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 4:8 presents a passionate invitation from the beloved groom to his bride, urging her to leave behind the wild, elevated, and potentially perilous regions of Lebanon, Amana, Shenir, and Hermon. This tender yet urgent summons is a call to forsake places associated with danger, wildness, and perhaps a degree of independence, in favor of a deeper, more intimate, and secure union with him, underscoring his protective love and profound desire for her complete presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the groom's extended praise of his bride's beauty and desirability, which spans [Song of Solomon 4:1-7](/song_of_solomon/4-1 "Song of Solomon 4:1-7 - The Groom's Adoration"). Having meticulously described her physical features, purity, and captivating allure, the groom now transitions from admiration to invitation. The preceding verses establish her perfection and readiness for union, making this "Come with me" a natural progression, signifying a move from contemplation of her beauty to a call for shared experience and intimate communion. It marks a shift from descriptive praise to an active summons, setting the stage for the consummation of their love later in the chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The geographical locations mentioned—Lebanon, Amana, Shenir, and Hermon—are all prominent mountainous regions to the north of ancient Israel. Lebanon was renowned for its majestic cedars and high peaks, often associated with grandeur and strength. Amana (likely a peak in the Anti-Lebanon range, perhaps part of Mount Hermon) and Shenir (the Amorite name for Mount Hermon) are also parts of the formidable Mount Hermon range. These areas were known for their rugged, untamed landscapes, often serving as habitats for wild animals like lions and leopards, which were a real threat in the ancient Near East. The imagery evokes a wild, elevated, and potentially dangerous environment, contrasting sharply with the security and intimacy the groom offers. Culturally, the act of a groom calling his bride to leave her previous dwelling or environment to join him was a customary step in the consummation of marriage, symbolizing her full commitment and transfer of allegiance to her husband and his household.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the **Invitation to Intimacy and Union**, as the groom's repeated "Come with me" underscores his profound desire for complete togetherness. This invitation also highlights the theme of **Transition and Security**, as the bride is called away from the wild, dangerous, and exposed "lions' dens" and "mountains of the leopards" into a place of safety and belonging with her beloved. This symbolizes a move from a state of potential vulnerability or independence to one of protected relationship. Furthermore, the verse subtly touches upon the theme of **Protective Love**, demonstrating the groom's desire to shield his bride from harm and provide a refuge. This resonates with broader biblical themes of divine protection, as seen in [Psalm 91:4](/psalms/91-4 "Psalm 91:4 - God's Protection") where God covers His people with His feathers, and [Proverbs 18:10](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower"), where the name of the Lord is a strong tower for the righteous.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **spouse (Hebrew, _kallâh'_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "to be perfect" or "complete," signifies a bride or daughter-in-law. Its use here emphasizes the marital context of the relationship, portraying the woman as one who is fully prepared and designated for marriage, highlighting her beauty and completeness in the eyes of her beloved. It underscores the profound, covenantal nature of the bond being celebrated.
* **look (Hebrew, _shûwr'_):** This primitive root means "to spy out," "survey," or "observe." In this context, it is an imperative, "look!" or "gaze!" It commands the bride to survey her surroundings—the dangerous, wild places—before she leaves them. This isn't just a casual glance but an intentional observation, perhaps to acknowledge what she is leaving behind, or to fully grasp the significance of the groom's protective call.
* **dens (Hebrew, _mᵉʻôwnâh'_):** This word refers to an abode, dwelling place, or lair, specifically used for animals. Its pairing with "lions" paints a vivid picture of extreme danger and wildness. The "lions' dens" represent places of inherent threat and predatory activity, emphasizing the perilous nature of the environment from which the groom is calling his bride.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon:"** This opening phrase is a tender, urgent, and repeated invitation from the groom to his bride. The repetition of "with me from Lebanon" emphasizes his earnestness and the specific place from which he desires her departure. Lebanon, with its high peaks and wildness, symbolizes a place of grandeur but also potential danger or independence, from which she is called to join him in a more intimate and secure union.
* **"look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon,"** The groom directs her gaze to these specific mountain peaks, all part of the formidable Anti-Lebanon and Hermon ranges. "Look from the top" suggests a vantage point, perhaps implying a final survey of the wild, elevated, and exposed places she is leaving. These locations reinforce the imagery of rugged, untamed landscapes, setting the stage for the subsequent mention of predators.
* **"from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards."** This vivid imagery explicitly identifies the danger inherent in the mountainous regions. "Lions' dens" and "mountains of the leopards" are **metaphors** for places of real physical threat and wild, untamed nature. The groom's call is therefore not just an invitation to intimacy, but a protective summons away from peril into his safety and embrace.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 4:8 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of wild, mountainous terrain inhabited by dangerous predators. The mention of "Lebanon," "Amana," "Shenir," and "Hermon" evokes majestic yet rugged landscapes, immediately followed by the visceral imagery of "lions' dens" and "mountains of the leopards," which creates a sense of imminent peril. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the wild mountains representing not only physical danger but perhaps also the bride's past independence, vulnerability, or even the "world" from which she is being called. The groom's invitation, "Come with me," functions as a powerful **Imperative** and a **Call to Union**, highlighting his desire for her complete presence and protection. The **Repetition** of "with me from Lebanon" underscores the urgency and earnestness of his plea, emphasizing the specific departure he desires. The entire verse functions as a **Metaphor** for the protective love of the groom and the secure haven he offers, contrasting sharply with the untamed and dangerous world outside their union.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while celebrating human marital love, resonates deeply with profound theological truths about God's relationship with His people. The groom's earnest call for his beloved to leave places of danger and wildness for the security of his presence beautifully mirrors God's persistent invitation to humanity. It speaks to the divine initiative in salvation, where God calls us out of the perilous "wilderness" of sin and spiritual vulnerability into the safety, intimacy, and covenantal embrace of His kingdom. This call is one of rescue, protection, and profound desire for fellowship, reflecting a love that seeks to draw us away from all that threatens our spiritual well-being and into His perfect peace.

* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Call to Separation")
* [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Invitation to Rest")
* [Psalm 57:4](/psalms/57-4 "Psalm 57:4 - Surrounded by Lions")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 4:8 serves as a powerful spiritual allegory for the believer's journey with Christ. Just as the groom calls his bride away from the "lions' dens" and "mountains of the leopards," Christ, our Beloved, continually calls us away from the dangers, anxieties, and distractions of the world. These "mountains" can represent anything that threatens our spiritual well-being: worldly ambitions, sinful habits, anxieties, fear, or even places of perceived independence that ultimately leave us vulnerable. His invitation is not merely to escape danger but to enter into a deeper, more secure, and intimate fellowship with Him. This verse encourages us to actively discern what "Lebanon," "Amana," or "Hermon" might represent in our own lives—those high, wild, or perilous places we might still cling to—and to respond wholeheartedly to His call to come into His rest and protection. It's a reminder that true security and fulfillment are found not in navigating the world's threats alone, but in surrendering to His loving embrace and trusting His leading.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "mountains of leopards" or "lions' dens" might Christ be calling me away from in my current life?**
* **How does my response to Christ's invitation to "come with me" reflect my trust in His protective love?**
* **In what ways can I more fully embrace the security and intimacy offered in my relationship with Christ, leaving behind worldly anxieties or pursuits?**

### FAQ

**What do the specific geographic locations (Lebanon, Amana, Shenir, Hermon) symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: These locations are all mountainous regions to the north of ancient Israel, known for their height, ruggedness, and wildness. Lebanon was famous for its cedars and grandeur, while Amana, Shenir, and Hermon are parts of the formidable Mount Hermon range. Symbolically, they represent places of potential danger, wildness, and perhaps a degree of independence or exposure. The groom's call for the bride to leave these places signifies a transition from a potentially perilous or untamed environment to one of safety, intimacy, and secure union with him. It highlights his desire to protect her and draw her into a deeper relationship.

**Is this verse only about a literal marriage, or does it have broader spiritual meaning?**

Answer: While Song of Solomon 4:8 is undoubtedly spoken within the context of a literal human marriage, its rich imagery and themes extend far beyond. Christian tradition has long interpreted the Song of Solomon as an allegory for the relationship between Christ and His Church, or between Christ and the individual believer. In this broader spiritual sense, the groom's invitation becomes Christ's call to His people to "come with Him" out of the dangers and distractions of the world (the "lions' dens" and "mountains of the leopards") and into the safety, rest, and intimate fellowship found in Him. This allegorical interpretation enriches the text, making it a source of spiritual nourishment for believers seeking to deepen their relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 4:8 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The groom's passionate call to his bride, urging her to leave the perilous "lions' dens" and "mountains of the leopards" for the safety and intimacy of his presence, serves as a beautiful foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive invitation to His Church, His beloved bride ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Loves the Church")). Humanity, lost in sin, dwells in a spiritual wilderness fraught with dangers—the roaring lion, Satan, seeking to devour ([1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Devil, a Roaring Lion")), and the predatory nature of the fallen world. Christ, our divine Bridegroom, extends an urgent and tender summons: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Invitation to Rest")). He calls us out of the domain of darkness and into His marvelous light ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")), away from the spiritual perils of a life separated from God, and into the secure, covenantal union found in Him. His cross is the ultimate "den" from which He rescued us, conquering sin and death, providing a refuge where we find not only safety but also the deepest intimacy and belonging, preparing His bride to be presented to Himself in splendor ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 3:9

([Which] Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)

Song Of Solomon 2:13

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines [with] the tender grape give a [good] smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

1 Chronicles 5:23

And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.

Psalms 45:10

¶ Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

Colossians 3:1

¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:2

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Psalms 76:4

Thou [art] more glorious [and] excellent than the mountains of prey.