7:13 7:13

Song Of Solomon 8:1

8:2 8:2

Bible Versions

¶ O that thou [wert] as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! [when] I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised.
O that {H5414} thou wert as my brother {H251}, that sucked {H3243} the breasts {H7699} of my mother {H517}! when I should find {H4672} thee without {H2351}, I would kiss {H5401} thee; yea, I should not be despised {H936}.
I wish you were my brother, who nursed at my mother's breast; then, if I met you outdoors, I could kiss you, and no one would look down on me.
O that you were to me like a brother who nursed at my mother’s breasts! If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me.
Oh that thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breasts of my mother! WhenI should find thee without, I would kiss thee; Yea, and none would despise me.

In Song of Solomon 8:1, the Shulamite woman expresses a profound and poignant desire to her beloved. She longs for a relationship where she could openly and unreservedly display affection for him in public without fear of social disapproval or shame. This verse encapsulates a yearning for complete intimacy and acceptance, transcending societal norms.

Context

This verse appears near the conclusion of the Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating the beauty and intensity of romantic love between a man and a woman. By this point in the narrative, their love is mature, deeply rooted, and secure. The Shulamite's wish to treat her beloved "as my brother" highlights the social constraints of ancient Israelite society, where public displays of affection between unmarried lovers or even married couples might invite scorn or misunderstanding. Affection shown to a close family member, like a brother, however, was entirely acceptable and free from such judgment. Her desire to kiss him "without" (meaning outside, in public) without being "despised" underscores this tension between private passion and public propriety.

Key Themes

  • Desire for Uninhibited Affection: The primary theme is the longing for freedom to express deep love openly and without shame or social stigma. It speaks to the human desire for a love so secure that it transcends external judgment.
  • Intimacy and Security: The comparison to a brother who "sucked the breasts of my mother" emphasizes a desire for a bond that is not only passionate but also utterly secure, familial, and beyond reproach. This level of intimacy seeks the deepest possible connection, where one can be truly oneself.
  • Love Transcending Social Barriers: The verse implicitly critiques societal expectations that might limit the outward expression of genuine love. It champions a love that seeks to break free from such confines, echoing the strength of love described elsewhere as "strong as death" in Song of Solomon 8:6.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "O that thou [wert] as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother!" is not an expression of incestuous desire. Instead, it's a powerful Hebrew idiom conveying a wish for a relationship so inherently accepted and unassailable by society that public affection would be entirely permissible. The word "despised" comes from the Hebrew root būz (בּוּז), which means to scorn, disdain, or hold in contempt. This choice of word perfectly captures the social disapproval the Shulamite wishes to avoid, emphasizing the societal pressure she feels regarding public displays of her profound love.

Practical Application

Song of Solomon 8:1 resonates with the universal human desire for deep, secure, and uninhibited love. For married couples today, it serves as an encouragement to cultivate a relationship where open affection, mutual respect, and emotional security allow both partners to feel completely free and accepted. It speaks to the importance of creating a safe space within the relationship where love can be expressed authentically, free from the fear of judgment. Spiritually, this verse can be seen as a metaphor for the soul's yearning for unhindered communion with God, where the believer can express devotion and love without reservation, knowing they are fully accepted and called friends by Him, as in John 15:15.

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.

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