TRV
“The Groom Praises the Bride's Beauty”· Song of Solomon 6:4–10
Translation
King James Version
There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.
KJV (with Strong's)
There are threescore H8346 queens H4436, and fourscore H8084 concubines H6370, and virgins H5959 without number H4557.
Complete Jewish Bible
There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, as well as young women beyond number;
American Standard Version
There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, And virgins without number.
World English Bible Messianic
There are sixty queens, eighty concubines, and virgins without number.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But my doue is alone, and my vndefiled, she is the onely daughter of her mother, and shee is deare to her that bare her: the daughters haue seene her and counted her blessed: euen the Queenes and the concubines, and they haue praised her.
Young's Literal Translation
Sixty are queens, and eighty concubines, And virgins without number.
In the KJVVerse 17,623 of 31,102 · 56.7%
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Historical interpretation
Fifteen Centuries of Reception
6 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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Scripture recounts that some of the patriarchs had many wives at the same time; others took other wives when previous wives had died. The purpose of this is to indicate figuratively that some can exercise many virtues at the same time; others cannot begin those which follow before they have brought the former virtues to perfection. Accordingly, Solomon is reported to have had many wives at the same time.
The word queens refers to the souls that rule in the realm of the intelligible and spiritual. The word concubines [refers] to the souls that receive an earthly reward, concerning whom it is said, “They have received their reward.”
Let us examine why on earth he mentioned “sixty queens” but “eighty concubines.” The number sixty contains six tens, and while the ten signifies perfection, the six represents the number of the world’s creation: in six days the God of all formed the whole creation. Accordingly, by “sixty queens” he referred to the souls in this world who were made perfect in virtue and who longed for the kingdom. The bride lives a way of life above this world, she is outside it, flies beyond it, is totally the bridegroom’s and has him constantly in mind, whereas these latter souls live in this world and practice the perfection of virtue to the extent possible while longing to attain the kingdom. But it is through fear that they obey the laws, and so they were called “eighty.” The divine Scripture, remember, speaks of the time of judgment as the eighth. In describing judgment in the Psalms, blessed David used the title “On the eighth” and began this way, “Lord, do not censure me in your anger, nor chastise me in your wrath,” and shortly after, “Because in death there is no one to remember you, in hades who will confess you?” Thus [he brings] out that at the time of judgment no place for repentance will be given to those who have sinned and have not had a change of heart.
In the present verse, therefore, three orders of merit are indicated to be in the church according to the following enigma. First, clearly, there are teachers, living an immaculate life. Second, there are the teachable, who imitate the lives of their teachers and burn with great desire to understand the content of the teaching and to distinguish sound doctrine from unsound doctrine. But the third order is that of maidens, for whom only belief in the one God helps toward salvation, who are not yet worthy to be joined to the sacred number. Although all of them may have the Word of the Father as King, he who was with the Father in the beginning and always remains God in the Father, the dignity of merit nevertheless escapes them.
There are sixty queens, etc. Both queens and concubines indeed approach the king's bed, they bear children for the king, but not both adorn the king's head with a royal diadem. Therefore, both signify souls that adhere to the preaching of truth, and through the word of faith and the fountain of saving baptism, beget spiritual offspring for the eternal king, but there is some, indeed not little, difference of their minds: for queens are those minds that serve the doctrine with the view of the heavenly kingdom. However, concubines are those who announce Christ for the sake of carnal and temporal pleasures only, not sincerely. Of such the Apostle says: "Whether by pretense or by truth Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice" (Phil. I). The Lord Himself also distinguishing between them says: "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. V). "But whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Ibid.). Both, therefore, approach the king's bed, but not both reign with Him, because those who destroy their own teaching by their deeds deprive themselves of the comforts of the everlasting kingdom. Therefore, those are rightly considered by the number sixty, those by eighty: for the number ten, because of the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments) signifies the knowledge of divine law; the number six, in which God perfected the world, designates the perfection of good works. Truly, because five multiplied by twelve makes sixty, the number of sixty queens can also thus be interpreted, that those who regulate all the senses of their body, namely, sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell, according to the rule of apostolic doctrine, are rightly designated by the number sixty. And these are the queens, because those who now follow the commandments of the apostles, whose number is twelve, through all the offices of their members, then together with the same apostles are joined to the joy of the perpetual king. Likewise, when eighty is taken in a negative sense, it not unjustly suggests the cares and entanglements of earthly and temporal matters, because naturally the course of this world is encompassed by four seasons, and the world itself is divided into four zones, namely, east, west, north, and south. Sixty, however, are the queens, because as many souls as follow the recognition, which they received by the perfection of the sacred law, engage in good actions; these also fight here in the kingdom of faith, and in the future will enter into heavenly marriages with the true king. And eighty concubines, because those who expend the knowledge of truth and the mystery of the word, which they seem to practice, in the pleasures of weak and passing things, indeed when their lamps are extinguished at the arrival of the bridegroom, are excluded by the gate of the heavenly kingdom due to the voluptuousness of temporality. And there is no number of young maidens. Understand by young maidens those souls who have recently been reborn in Christ, who are not yet sufficient for the duty of preaching; and therefore, as if not yet noble, not yet suitable for the royal bed, they assist in the service of the queen with faithful watch, because they joyfully obey the commands of the holy Church humbly. Of whom we read above: Your name is like poured-out oil, therefore the young maidens loved you; that is, the souls which are not yet left old through guilt, but are already renewed by grace. Of whom there is no number, because the total number of the citizens of the heavenly homeland surpasses the measure of our estimation. For it cannot be taken of our peaceful king, namely the true Solomon, that he does not know the number of his faithful: for He who counts the multitude of the stars and calls them all by names (Psalm 146), how much more would He know the number of His elect, whose names He wrote in heaven, the number He foreknew before the ages.
One is my dove: That is, my church is one, and she only is perfect and blessed.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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Summary
Song of Solomon 6:8 vividly portrays the immense scale of a king's royal court, enumerating "threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number." This verse serves as a dramatic and quantitative backdrop, highlighting the vast worldly options and resources available to the monarch. By showcasing this extensive multitude, the passage intentionally sets up a profound contrast that magnificently magnifies the singular, unparalleled beauty, purity, and unique value of the Shulamite woman, who is celebrated as the exclusive object of the king's devoted affection and praise in the verses that immediately follow.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is strategically placed within a pivotal dialogue, likely spoken by the king himself, as he passionately extols the Shulamite's incomparable beauty. It immediately follows his rapturous declarations of his beloved's perfection and loveliness in Song of Solomon 6:4-7. The detailed enumeration of sixty queens, eighty concubines, and countless virgins in Song of Solomon 6:8 functions as a powerful literary device: a quantitative statement of the king's vast resources and available options. This numerical abundance is intentionally presented before and in stark contrast to the king's exclusive praise of his "one" beloved in Song of Solomon 6:9. This juxtaposition serves to emphasize the Shulamite's unparalleled status, not by diminishing the others, but by showcasing her unique preeminence amidst an overwhelming multitude. It masterfully pivots the narrative from general admiration to a declaration of specific, devoted, and singular affection.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, the size and composition of a king's harem were direct and potent indicators of his wealth, power, and political influence. Monarchs typically acquired wives and concubines through various means, including conquest, tribute, or strategic alliances, all designed to solidify their reign, expand their dynastic lineage, and forge political bonds. For instance, the biblical record famously details King Solomon's own extensive harem, as noted in 1 Kings 11:3. Queens held primary royal status, often being princesses from other kingdoms, signifying important international treaties. Concubines, while still part of the royal household and capable of bearing heirs, were secondary wives, typically of lower social standing. The "virgins" likely refer to young, unmarried women serving in the royal court, perhaps as attendants, musicians, or potential future members of the royal household. This widespread cultural norm of polygamy and large harems provides the essential historical backdrop against which the Song of Solomon presents a contrasting and elevated ideal of exclusive, devoted, and singular love.
Key Themes
The primary theme powerfully underscored by Song of Solomon 6:8 is the profound Contrast Between Quantity and Quality. The verse vividly portrays the king's seemingly limitless abundance of options, symbolizing worldly power, status, and the human tendency to accumulate and compare. However, this impressive multitude serves a singular purpose: to highlight the Uniqueness and Singular Value of the Shulamite woman, who stands distinctly apart from the countless others. This theme resonates deeply with the broader message of the Song of Solomon, which consistently celebrates exclusive, devoted, and covenantal love as superior to polygamous arrangements or superficial attractions. Furthermore, the verse touches upon the theme of Royal Splendor, illustrating the lavishness and grandeur characteristic of an ancient monarch's court. Yet, the ultimate message of the Song subordinates this worldly display to the profound, intimate, and personal connection celebrated in the subsequent verses, particularly in Song of Solomon 6:9, where the king declares his beloved to be "my dove, my undefiled is but one."
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Derived from the Hebrew word for "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melek), malkâh specifically designates a female monarch or, more commonly in a polygamous royal court, a principal wife. These women held significant status, often being princesses from other nations whose marriages served to forge political alliances or secure dynastic succession. The mention of "threescore" (sixty) queens in the king's court powerfully underscores his immense political power, extensive diplomatic connections, and vast wealth.
This term refers to a secondary wife or a paramour, a woman who lived with a man in a recognized, though often subordinate, marital relationship. While concubines were part of the household and their children could sometimes inherit, their legal and social status was generally lower and less secure than that of a primary wife or queen. The "fourscore" (eighty) concubines further amplify the sheer scale of the king's personal retinue and the extensive nature of his domestic arrangements, reinforcing the image of a monarch with limitless resources.
This word denotes a young woman, a lass, specifically one who is veiled or kept private, implying an unmarried status and often, though not exclusively, virginity. In this royal context, these "virgins without number" would be young women serving in the court, perhaps as attendants, musicians, or potential future wives or concubines. The phrase "without number" (מִסְפָּר, miçpâr, here with the negative particle 'ein) highlights an uncountable, immeasurable multitude, emphasizing an inexhaustible supply of youthful beauty and potential, thereby pushing the concept of the king's vast resources to an extreme.
Verse Breakdown
"There are threescore queens,"
This opening clause immediately establishes the impressive scale of the king's royal household by enumerating sixty queens. This specific, large number instantly conveys the king's immense wealth, extensive power, and the far-reaching nature of his political influence, indicating a ruler of significant stature and international standing in the ancient world.
"and fourscore concubines,"
Following the enumeration of queens, this clause adds an even larger number—eighty—of women holding a secondary, though still significant, status within the royal harem. The inclusion of this greater number of concubines further amplifies the sense of abundance and illustrates the king's capacity to command a truly vast personal retinue, reinforcing the image of a powerful and resource-rich monarch with seemingly limitless options.
"and virgins without number."
This final clause expands the scope beyond specific numerical counts to an immeasurable multitude of young, unmarried women. The phrase "without number" (literally, "no number") signifies an uncountable, inexhaustible supply, pushing the concept of the king's resources and options to a hyperbolic extreme. This intentional exaggeration serves to create an overwhelming backdrop of worldly abundance against which the singular, uniquely cherished beloved of the next verse will be presented, making her preeminence even more striking and profound.
Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 6:8 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to achieve its dramatic effect. Hyperbole is prominently featured in the phrase "virgins without number," which exaggerates the actual count to convey an overwhelming, immeasurable multitude. This exaggeration effectively emphasizes the king's vast resources and endless options, setting a dramatic stage for the subsequent declaration of singular love. The verse also functions as a powerful use of Contrast, meticulously building up a picture of quantitative abundance—sixty queens, eighty concubines, and countless virgins—only to starkly juxtapose it with the singular, unparalleled value of the Shulamite woman in Song of Solomon 6:9. This deliberate contrast elevates the beloved's uniqueness and preeminence above all others. Furthermore, the enumeration itself serves as a form of Symbolism, where the vast harem represents worldly power, prestige, and the alluring but ultimately superficial appeal of endless options. Against this backdrop, the true, exclusive, and devoted love of the king for his one beloved is highlighted as infinitely superior and more precious.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse, while superficially a mere demographic count of a royal court, carries profound theological weight when read in conjunction with the following verse (Song of Solomon 6:9). It powerfully underscores the biblical theme of exclusive love and singular devotion as superior to polygamous or superficial relationships. In a culture where kings commonly amassed harems as symbols of power and status, the Song of Solomon elevates the unique, covenantal bond between two individuals. It subtly critiques the worldly pursuit of quantity, status, and accumulation, redirecting focus to the incomparable value of a singular, cherished relationship. This thematic emphasis foreshadows God's own covenantal love for His people, where He chooses a unique nation (Israel, and later the Church) out of all the nations, not based on their number or inherent power, but solely on His sovereign election and His desire for an exclusive, devoted relationship. This divine pattern of singular devotion is a recurring motif throughout Scripture.
Reflection and Application
Song of Solomon 6:8, especially when considered in its immediate literary context with the subsequent verse, offers a profound spiritual lesson about the nature of true value and genuine affection. In a world that frequently measures worth by quantity, popularity, or external displays of abundance, this verse serves as a poignant reminder that genuine love, deep appreciation, and lasting fulfillment are not found in the multitude of options, but rather in the unique and cherished worth of an individual. It challenges us to look beyond superficial appearances, societal pressures, and the allure of more, to truly recognize, affirm, and celebrate the singular beauty and intrinsic value of those we are called to love—whether in the sacred covenant of marriage, the bonds of friendship, or within the broader community of faith. This passage encourages a deliberate focus on depth, loyalty, and exclusivity in our most significant relationships, thereby mirroring the devoted, covenantal love that God Himself demonstrates for His people.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the specific numbers "threescore" and "fourscore" in this poetic context?
"Threescore" refers to sixty, and "fourscore" refers to eighty. In this poetic context, these numbers are used not necessarily as exact historical counts, but primarily to convey a sense of vastness and substantial quantity within the king's royal household. While they might broadly reflect the actual size of a powerful monarch's court in the ancient Near East, their paramount significance here is to establish an overwhelming backdrop of immense options and worldly abundance. This numerical profusion serves as a dramatic foil, emphasizing by stark contrast the singular and incomparable value of the Shulamite woman, who is the exclusive focus of the king's devoted affection in the very next verse, Song of Solomon 6:9. The numbers amplify her uniqueness.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Song of Solomon 6:8, with its vivid portrayal of a king surrounded by an overwhelming multitude of queens, concubines, and virgins, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the unique and exclusive relationship between Christ and His Church. Just as the Shulamite stands out as "my dove, my undefiled is but one" amidst this countless array (Song of Solomon 6:9), so too is the Church uniquely chosen, cherished, and set apart by Christ. In a world teeming with diverse religions, philosophies, and spiritual paths—a veritable "multitude" of options vying for allegiance—Christ's love is singularly and exclusively poured out upon His bride, the Church, whom He purchased not with silver or gold, but with His own precious blood, as declared in Acts 20:28. The vastness of the king's harem in the Song highlights the Shulamite's singular purity and devotion; similarly, the Church, though imperfect in its earthly state, is being continually sanctified and cleansed by Christ "that he might present her to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that she should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27). This verse thus beautifully prefigures the exclusive, covenantal, and utterly devoted love of Christ for His people, a love that transcends all worldly allure and options, focusing solely on His uniquely chosen and beloved bride, who alone captures His eternal heart, awaiting the day of their ultimate union as described in Revelation 21:2.