Song Of Solomon 7:8

KJV

I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;

KJV (with Strong's)

I said {H559}, I will go up {H5927} to the palm tree {H8558}, I will take hold {H270} of the boughs {H5577} thereof: now also thy breasts {H7699} shall be as clusters {H811} of the vine {H1612}, and the smell {H7381} of thy nose {H639} like apples {H8598};

Complete Jewish Bible

I said, "I will climb up into the palm tree, I will take hold of its branches." May your breasts be like clusters of grapes, your breath as fragrant as apples,

Berean Standard Bible

I said, “I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit.” May your breasts be like clusters of the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples,

American Standard Version

I said, I will climb up into the palm-tree, I will take hold of the branches thereof: Let thy breasts be as clusters of the vine, And the smell of thy breath like apples,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 7:8 vividly portrays the male lover's profound admiration and escalating desire for the Shulamite woman, employing rich natural imagery to articulate her captivating beauty and irresistible allure. This verse forms a pivotal part of his comprehensive declaration of praise for her physical attributes, expressing his eager longing for intimate union and the deep delight he anticipates in their shared affection. It powerfully communicates the intensity of romantic love and the celebration of physical attraction within the sacred and joyful bond of marriage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a larger poetic section (Song of Solomon 7:1-9) where the male lover, often understood as King Solomon, offers an elaborate and ascending description of the Shulamite woman's physical beauty, beginning from her feet and moving upwards to her head. Having already admired her graceful movements, noble stature, and captivating features, he now transitions from descriptive praise to an explicit declaration of his passionate desire and resolute intention to draw near to her. The preceding verses establish her as a woman of regal bearing and captivating charm, setting the stage for this intimate expression of longing and the anticipation of physical union. The imagery of the palm tree and vine clusters seamlessly extends the pervasive natural metaphors used throughout the Song to depict beauty, fruitfulness, and profound delight.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the palm tree (`tâmâr`) held significant symbolic value, revered for its upright elegance, resilience, and abundant yield of dates. It frequently symbolized prosperity, fertility, and stately beauty, making it an apt metaphor for the beloved. Similarly, the vine (`gephen`) was a potent emblem of fruitfulness, joy, and the intoxicating pleasure derived from its clusters (`ʼeshkôwl`) of grapes, which were essential for wine production. Apples (`tappûwach`), or more accurately fragrant fruits like quince or apricots common in the ancient Levant, were highly prized for their sweet aroma and delightful taste, often associated with love, sensual pleasure, and invigorating refreshment. These agricultural symbols would have resonated deeply with the original audience, immediately conveying notions of beauty, vitality, abundance, and desirability, thereby underscoring the cultural appreciation for natural bounty as a reflection of human flourishing and the richness of romantic love.
* **Key Themes:** Song of Solomon 7:8 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes that permeate the book. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the **celebration of physical beauty and desire** within the hallowed context of committed love, affirming the human body as a legitimate source of profound delight and attraction. The lover's eager declaration, "I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof," vividly exemplifies the theme of **passionate pursuit and loving initiative** inherent in true affection. Furthermore, the rich and evocative natural imagery reinforces the pervasive theme of **fertility and fruitfulness**, not only in a literal sense but also in the flourishing, life-giving, and deeply satisfying nature of a vibrant marital relationship. This verse, like much of the Song, powerfully affirms the **goodness of creation** and the **God-given joy of marital intimacy**, reflecting the divine design for human companionship and procreation first established in [the creation account](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and the [one-flesh union](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - The One Flesh Union"). It stands as a testament to the depth of affection, mutual admiration, and unreserved delight that characterize the ideal marital bond, echoing the wisdom found in [Proverbs 5:18-19](/proverbs/5-18-19 "Proverbs 5:18-19 - Rejoice in the wife of your youth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** H559 a primitive root meaning to say, used with great latitude, including to declare, determine, or intend. In this context, "I said" (KJV) or "I resolved" (ESV) indicates a firm, deliberate decision and an active declaration of the lover's intent. It is not a casual thought but a settled purpose.
* **take hold (Hebrew, _ʼâchaz'_):** H270 a primitive root meaning to seize, often with the accessory idea of holding in possession. Here, it signifies a deliberate, eager, and tender action of embracing, drawing near, and enjoying. It conveys the lover's active desire to intimately engage with his beloved's beauty and person, not in a forceful way, but in the context of passionate, mutual affection and possession within marriage.
* **palm tree (Hebrew, _tâmâr'_):** H8558 from an unused root meaning to be erect; a palm tree. The palm tree is a powerful symbol of uprightness, stately grace, and abundant fruitfulness. In this verse, it serves as a metaphor for the Shulamite woman, representing her tall, elegant beauty and her desirability. The lover's desire to "go up to the palm tree" and "take hold of the boughs thereof" expresses his eager anticipation of intimate embrace and enjoyment of her person, akin to reaching for the ripe, precious fruit of a highly valued tree.
* **apples (Hebrew, _tappûwach'_):** H8598 from נָפַח (naphaḥ), meaning to blow or breathe; an apple (from its fragrance), likely including other pome fruits of the ancient Levant such as quince, apricot, or citrus. In the ancient world, these fruits were highly prized for their sweet, pervasive fragrance. The comparison of her "smell of thy nose" (her breath or overall captivating fragrance) to apples emphasizes her intoxicating and delightful aroma, adding a powerful sensory dimension to her irresistible allure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof:"** This opening clause expresses the male lover's resolute intention and active pursuit of his beloved. "I said" signifies a firm decision or declaration of purpose. The "palm tree" serves as a metaphor for the Shulamite woman, symbolizing her stately, graceful, and fruitful beauty. His desire to "go up" and "take hold of the boughs" conveys his eager anticipation of intimate embrace and enjoyment of her person, much like one would ascend a tree to gather its ripe, desired fruit. This conveys a sense of drawing near, possessing, and delighting in love.
* **"now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine,"** This clause shifts to a direct and ardent compliment of her physical attributes, employing a vivid simile. Her breasts are likened to "clusters of the vine," which are full, ripe, and promise intoxicating pleasure and abundance. This imagery evokes fruitfulness, fertility, and the delightful satisfaction found in physical intimacy, akin to the richness and joy derived from fine wine.
* **"and the smell of thy nose like apples;"** The final clause focuses on her alluring fragrance, utilizing another powerful simile. "The smell of thy nose" refers not merely to her nostrils but to her breath or the overall sweet and captivating aroma emanating from her person. Comparing this scent to "apples" (likely fragrant fruits such as quince or apricots) emphasizes her delightful, pervasive, and intoxicating presence, adding a profound sensory dimension to her irresistible charm and enhancing the holistic experience of her beauty.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 7:8 is exceptionally rich in **Imagery**, painting a vibrant and sensuous picture of the beloved's beauty and the lover's ardent desire through evocative natural elements. The verse primarily employs **Simile**, explicitly comparing her breasts to "clusters of the vine" and her fragrance to "apples" through the use of "as" and "like," thereby drawing clear parallels that evoke notions of abundance, sweetness, and intoxicating pleasure. There is also a strong underlying **Metaphor** in identifying the beloved with the "palm tree," which represents her stately beauty, uprightness, and fruitfulness, inviting the lover's ascent and embrace. The pervasive use of **Sensory Language** is prominent throughout the verse, appealing directly to sight (palm tree, clusters), touch (take hold), and particularly to smell (apples, fragrance), creating a multi-sensory and immersive experience of her profound allure. This masterful combination of literary devices profoundly enhances the passionate, celebratory, and deeply intimate tone of the passage, making the beloved's attractiveness palpable and the lover's desire intensely felt.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, situated within the broader theological landscape of the Song of Solomon, offers profound insights into the divine design of human love and marriage. It unequivocally affirms the goodness of physical attraction and desire as God-given aspects of human experience, intended to be celebrated and deeply enjoyed within the sacred covenant of marriage. The passionate longing and detailed appreciation for the beloved's beauty reflect a divine blueprint for intimacy that is holistically physical, emotional, and spiritual, leading to deep union and mutual delight. It teaches that authentic love involves active pursuit, profound admiration, and the eager anticipation of shared joy, mirroring, in a limited sense, aspects of God's own passionate and covenantal love for His people. The Song, through passages like this, sanctifies human sexuality, presenting it as a beautiful, pure, and blessed expression of love, in stark contrast to the world's often distorted or degraded views.

* [Proverbs 5:18-19](/proverbs/5-18-19 "Proverbs 5:18-19 - Rejoice in the wife of your youth")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage is Honorable")
* [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - The One Flesh Union")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 7:8 serves as a powerful and inspiring reminder of the inherent beauty, sacredness, and profound joy of romantic love and physical intimacy within the marital covenant. It challenges and encourages spouses to actively cultivate a vibrant, passionate relationship characterized by mutual admiration, heartfelt verbal affirmation, and eager, tender pursuit of one another. The lover's detailed and sensuous praise of the Shulamite woman's beauty calls us to intentionally appreciate and articulate the unique qualities of our partners, fostering an environment where both physical and emotional intimacy can flourish and deepen. This verse also powerfully affirms that physical desire is a natural, blessed, and God-ordained component of marriage, designed by the Creator for joy, pleasure, and the profound deepening of relational bonds. It calls us to perceive our spouse not merely as a partner, but as a cherished source of delight and a precious gift from God, truly worthy of passionate devotion, tender affection, and wholehearted celebration, thereby reflecting the holistic and all-encompassing nature of true love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the lover's active desire to "go up to the palm tree" and "take hold" inspire our own approach to cultivating intimacy and pursuing our spouse in marriage?**
* **In what specific ways can we, like the lover, use vivid and affirming language to express appreciation for the beauty and desirability of our spouse, both physically and emotionally?**
* **How does this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of physical intimacy as a good and God-ordained aspect of marriage, designed for mutual joy and flourishing?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "palm tree" imagery in this verse?**

Answer: The "palm tree" (Hebrew: *tâmâr*) is a highly significant symbol in the ancient Near East, frequently representing uprightness, elegance, resilience, and abundant fruitfulness. In Song of Solomon 7:8, it serves as a powerful and multifaceted metaphor for the Shulamite woman herself. It highlights her stately beauty, her graceful stature, and her profound desirability as a source of delight and "fruit" (pleasure, intimacy). The lover's declaration, "I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof," expresses his eager, active, and resolute desire to embrace her and partake of the joy and intimacy she offers, much like one would ascend a palm tree to gather its precious and nourishing dates. This imagery underscores her captivating allure and the promise of rich fulfillment in their union, echoing the theme of fruitfulness celebrated throughout the Song, as seen in [Song of Solomon 4:13](/song_of_solomon/4-13 "Song of Solomon 4:13 - A Garden of Delights").

**Why are "apples" mentioned in relation to the "smell of thy nose"?**

Answer: In the context of Song of Solomon 7:8, "apples" (Hebrew: *tappûwach*) likely refers not to the common red apple of today, but to other highly fragrant fruits prevalent in the ancient Levant, such as quince, apricots, or even citrus. These fruits were intensely prized for their sweet, pervasive aroma. The phrase "the smell of thy nose" refers not just to her nostrils but to the beloved's breath or the overall captivating and delightful fragrance emanating from her person. By comparing this scent to "apples," the verse emphasizes her intoxicating and delightful aroma, which contributes significantly to her irresistible charm and allure. This powerful sensory detail highlights the comprehensive nature of her beauty, appealing not just to sight but also to the potent sense of smell, thereby creating a holistic and deeply captivating picture of her presence, similar to the delightful scents described in [Song of Solomon 4:10-11](/song_of_solomon/4-10-11 "Song of Solomon 4:10-11 - The Fragrance of Love").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Song of Solomon 7:8 vividly celebrates the passionate love and profound physical intimacy between a husband and wife, its Christ-centered fulfillment is found in how this human love serves as a profound earthly type and shadow of the divine love between Christ and His Church. The lover's eager desire to "go up to the palm tree" and "take hold of the boughs thereof" beautifully foreshadows Christ's zealous pursuit of His bride, the Church, a pursuit marked by His sacrificial love and unwavering commitment, as depicted throughout the New Testament (cf. [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). Just as the Shulamite's beauty and fragrance captivate her lover, the Church, made radiantly beautiful by Christ's imputed righteousness and sanctifying work, is the object of His unwavering affection and desire (cf. [2 Corinthians 11:2](/2_corinthians/11-2 "2 Corinthians 11:2 - Espoused to Christ")). Her "breasts as clusters of the vine" and "smell of thy nose like apples" speak to the Church's spiritual fruitfulness—the abundance of good works, love, and worship produced by the Holy Spirit within her—and the sweet aroma of her devotion and obedience, which are supremely pleasing to Christ (cf. [Philippians 4:18](/philippians/4-18 "Philippians 4:18 - A Fragrant Offering")). This verse ultimately points to the ultimate spiritual union and perfect intimacy that believers share with Christ, a relationship characterized by His passionate, redeeming love, our spiritual fruitfulness in Him, and the glorious, eagerly anticipated marriage supper of the Lamb (cf. [Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")). The Song's celebration of marital delight thus becomes a powerful and prophetic echo of the surpassing joy and perfect, eternal union found in Christ.

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

John 14:21

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:23

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

2 Corinthians 2:14

Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Jeremiah 32:41

Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.

Song Of Solomon 4:16

Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, [that] the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

Song Of Solomon 5:1

¶ I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

Song Of Solomon 1:3

Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name [is as] ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.