Song Of Solomon 6:8

KJV

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;

Berean Standard Bible

There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number,

American Standard Version

There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, And virgins without number.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 6:8 presents a vivid enumeration of the vast royal court available to the king, detailing "threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number." This verse serves as a dramatic backdrop, highlighting the immense worldly options and resources at the king's disposal, thereby setting up a profound contrast that magnifies the singular and unparalleled beauty, purity, and unique value of the Shulamite woman, who is the true object of the king's affection and praise in the subsequent verses.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a dialogue where the king (or perhaps the daughters of Jerusalem) is extolling the Shulamite's beauty. It immediately follows the king's passionate declaration of his beloved's perfection and loveliness (Song of Solomon 6:4-7). The enumeration of queens, concubines, and virgins in Song of Solomon 6:8 acts as a quantitative statement of the king's vast resources and options, intentionally preceding and contrasting with the king's exclusive praise of his "one" beloved in Song of Solomon 6:9. This literary device emphasizes the Shulamite's unparalleled status, not by diminishing others, but by showcasing her unique preeminence amidst an overwhelming multitude. It pivots the narrative from general admiration to specific, devoted affection.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the size of a king's harem was often a direct indicator of his wealth, power, and political influence. Kings would acquire wives and concubines through conquest, tribute, or strategic alliances to solidify their reign and expand their lineage. For instance, King Solomon himself was famously known for his extensive harem, as recorded in [1 Kings 11:3](/1_kings/11-3 "1 Kings 11:3 - Solomon's Wives and Concubines"). Queens held primary royal status, often being princesses from other kingdoms, while concubines were secondary wives, typically of lower social standing but still part of the royal household. The "virgins" likely refer to young women serving in the court, perhaps awaiting marriage or simply part of the royal retinue. This cultural norm of polygamy and large harems provides the historical backdrop against which the Song of Solomon presents a contrasting ideal of exclusive, devoted love.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme underscored by Song of Solomon 6:8 is the **Contrast Between Quantity and Quality**. The verse vividly portrays the king's abundance of options, representing worldly power, status, and the human tendency to accumulate. However, this multitude serves only to highlight the **Uniqueness and Singular Value** of the Shulamite woman, who stands apart from the countless others. This theme resonates with the broader message of the Song of Solomon, which celebrates exclusive, devoted love over polygamy or superficial attraction. It also touches upon the theme of **Royal Splendor**, illustrating the lavishness and grandeur of an ancient monarch's court, but ultimately subordinates this worldly display to the profound personal connection celebrated in the subsequent verses (e.g., [Song of Solomon 6:9](/song_of_solomon/6-9 "Song of Solomon 6:9 - The Uniqueness of the Shulamite")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Queens (Hebrew, _malkâh'_):** Derived from the word for "king" (מֶלֶךְ, _melek_), _malkâh_ specifically refers to a female monarch or a principal wife within a royal court. In this context, it denotes women of high status, likely princesses from other nations or noble families, who held significant positions within the king's household, often for political alliances or dynastic purposes. The mention of "threescore" (sixty) queens underscores the king's immense power and extensive political connections.
* **Concubines (Hebrew, _pîylegesh'_):** This term refers to a secondary wife or a paramour, a woman who lives with a man but has a lower legal and social status than a primary wife. While concubines were part of the household and could bear children who might inherit, their position was generally less secure and prestigious than that of a queen. The "fourscore" (eighty) concubines further emphasize the king's vast personal retinue and the extent of his domestic arrangements.
* **Virgins (Hebrew, _ʻalmâh'_):** 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 attendants, musicians, or potential future wives/concubines, representing an inexhaustible supply of youthful beauty and potential. The phrase "without number" (אֵין מִסְפָּר, _'ein miçpâr_) highlights an uncountable, immeasurable multitude, further emphasizing the king's vast resources.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There are threescore queens,"**: This clause introduces the highest-ranking women in the king's court, numbering sixty. This specific, large number immediately establishes the king's immense wealth, power, and the extensive nature of his royal household, indicating a ruler of significant stature and influence in the ancient world.
* **"and fourscore concubines,"**: Following the queens, this clause adds another eighty women of a secondary, though still significant, status within the royal harem. The even larger number of concubines further amplifies the sense of abundance and the king's ability to command a vast personal retinue, reinforcing the image of a powerful and resource-rich monarch.
* **"and virgins without number."**: This final clause expands the scope beyond specific counts to an immeasurable multitude of young, unmarried women. The phrase "without number" signifies an uncountable, inexhaustible supply, pushing the concept of the king's resources and options to an extreme. This hyperbole serves to create an overwhelming backdrop against which the singular beloved of the next verse will be presented, making her uniqueness even more striking.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 6:8 employs several potent literary devices. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "virgins without number," which exaggerates the actual count to convey an overwhelming, immeasurable multitude, emphasizing the king's vast resources and options. This exaggeration sets a dramatic stage for the subsequent verse. The verse also functions as a powerful use of **Contrast**, meticulously building up a picture of quantitative abundance (sixty queens, eighty concubines, countless virgins) only to starkly juxtapose it with the singular, unparalleled value of the Shulamite woman in Song of Solomon 6:9. This contrast elevates the beloved's uniqueness. Furthermore, the enumeration itself serves as a form of **Symbolism**, where the vast harem symbolizes worldly power, prestige, and the allure of endless options, against which the true, exclusive, and devoted love of the king for his one beloved is highlighted as superior and more precious.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while seemingly 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 underscores the biblical theme of **exclusive love and devotion** over polygamous or superficial relationships. In a culture where kings amassed harems as symbols of power, the Song of Solomon elevates the unique, covenantal bond between two individuals. It subtly critiques the worldly pursuit of quantity and status, redirecting focus to the incomparable value of a singular, cherished relationship. This foreshadows God's own covenantal love, where He chooses a unique people (Israel, and later the Church) out of all the nations, not based on their number or power, but on His sovereign election and desire for an exclusive relationship.

* [1 Kings 11:3](/1_kings/11-3 "1 Kings 11:3 - Solomon's Many Wives and Concubines")
* [Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Prohibition Against Many Wives for Kings")
* [Proverbs 31:10](/proverbs/31-10 "Proverbs 31:10 - The Value of a Virtuous Wife")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 6:8, particularly when considered alongside the subsequent verse, offers a powerful spiritual lesson about true value and genuine affection. In a world that often measures worth by quantity, popularity, or external display, this verse reminds us that genuine love and appreciation are found not in the multitude of options, but in the unique and cherished worth of an individual. It challenges us to look beyond superficial appearances and societal pressures to recognize and affirm the singular beauty and intrinsic value of those we are called to love, whether in marriage, friendship, or within the community of faith. It encourages a focus on depth, loyalty, and exclusivity in relationships, mirroring the devoted love God has for His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does our modern culture often value quantity or options over unique, singular devotion?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to compare our relationships or possessions to a "multitude" rather than cherishing their unique worth?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of true love and commitment, especially in contrast to worldly displays of power or abundance?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the specific numbers "threescore" and "fourscore"?**

Answer: "Threescore" refers to sixty, and "fourscore" refers to eighty. These numbers are used to convey a substantial, though not necessarily exact, count of the king's royal household. While they might reflect the actual size of a powerful monarch's court in the ancient Near East, their primary significance in this poetic context is to establish a sense of immense quantity and vast options. This numerical abundance serves as a dramatic backdrop, emphasizing by contrast the singular and incomparable value of the Shulamite woman, who is the focus of the king's affection in the very next verse ([Song of Solomon 6:9](/song_of_solomon/6-9 "Song of Solomon 6:9 - The King's Unique Beloved")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 6:8, with its portrayal of a king surrounded by countless options, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the unique relationship between Christ and His Church. Just as the Shulamite stands out as "my dove, my undefiled is but one" amidst a multitude of queens, concubines, and virgins (Song of Solomon 6:9), so too is the Church uniquely chosen and cherished by Christ. In a world full of religions, philosophies, and spiritual paths—a veritable "multitude" of options—Christ's love is exclusively poured out upon His bride, the Church, whom He purchased with His own blood (e.g., [Acts 20:28](/acts/20-28 "Acts 20:28 - God Purchased the Church with His Own Blood")). The vastness of the king's harem highlights the Shulamite's singular purity and devotion; similarly, the Church, though imperfect, is being 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](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ's Purpose for the Church")). This verse thus prefigures the exclusive, covenantal 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 heart (e.g., [Revelation 21:2](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem as a Bride")).

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

Psalms 45:14

She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

1 Kings 11:3

And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

1 Kings 11:1

¶ But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, [and] Hittites;

2 Chronicles 11:21

And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)

Psalms 45:9

Kings' daughters [were] among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

Revelation 7:9

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;