Song Of Solomon 8:12

KJV

My vineyard, which [is] mine, [is] before me: thou, O Solomon, [must have] a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

KJV (with Strong's)

My vineyard {H3754}, which is mine, is before {H6440} me: thou, O Solomon {H8010}, must have a thousand {H505}, and those that keep {H5201} the fruit {H6529} thereof two hundred {H3967}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My vineyard is mine; I tend it, myself. You can have the thousand, Shlomo, and the fruit-caretakers, two hundred!

Berean Standard Bible

But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.

American Standard Version

My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: Thou, O Solomon, shalt have the thousand, And those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 8:12 presents the Shulamite woman's emphatic declaration of exclusive ownership over her "vineyard," a profound metaphor for her heart, purity, and singular devotion. This assertion stands in stark contrast to King Solomon's vast, commercialized vineyard holdings, which are managed for profit. She proclaims that her personal "vineyard" is entirely her own and perpetually "before her," signifying its cherished, uncompromised, and actively guarded status. Through this statement, she acknowledges Solomon's immense wealth while implicitly elevating the incomparable value of her unshared love and fidelity, underscoring that true intimacy cannot be bought or rented, but is a sacred, personal possession.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Song of Solomon 8:12 serves as a climactic and definitive statement within the book's concluding section. It immediately follows a direct comparison of Solomon's extensive vineyard in [Song of Solomon 8:11](/song_of_solomon/8-11 "Song of Solomon 8:11 - Solomon's Vineyard"), where the king's commercial dealings are highlighted. The preceding verses ([Song of Solomon 8:8-10](/song_of_solomon/8-8-10 "Song of Solomon 8:8-10 - The Sister and the Wall")) build towards this declaration, with the Shulamite reflecting on her own steadfastness and purity, likening herself to a "wall" rather than a "door" that could be easily swayed. This verse acts as her final, resolute assertion of personal integrity and exclusive devotion, providing a powerful counterpoint to the king's material wealth and setting the stage for the book's concluding appeals for swift intimacy and enduring love in [Song of Solomon 8:13-14](/song_of_solomon/8-13-14 "Song of Solomon 8:13-14 - Final Appeals and Desire for Intimacy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Vineyards in ancient Israel were more than just agricultural assets; they were deeply symbolic, representing prosperity, blessing, and often, the nation of Israel itself (as seen in [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard") and [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalm/80-8-16 "Psalm 80:8-16 - Israel as God's Vine")). King Solomon, famed for his unparalleled wealth, wisdom, and vast kingdom, would have possessed numerous such holdings, managed by stewards for profit. The practice of "renting out" vineyards for a portion of their yield was a common economic model. The Shulamite's assertion that her "vineyard" is "before me" directly contrasts her personal, intimate possession with Solomon's expansive, perhaps more commercial or political, enterprises. Her statement reflects a cultural understanding of personal property and the high value placed on one's reputation and fidelity, particularly for a woman in that society, where purity and exclusive devotion were paramount virtues.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes of the Song of Solomon. It highlights the theme of **exclusive love and devotion**, emphasizing the singular nature of the Shulamite's affection for her beloved, distinct from the potentially polygamous context often associated with kings like Solomon. It underscores the **incomparable value of genuine love** over material wealth or status, positioning pure, unblemished intimacy as far superior to "a thousand pieces of silver" or any worldly gain, a theme profoundly echoed in [Song of Solomon 8:7](/song_of_solomon/8-7 "Song of Solomon 8:7 - Love's Indomitable Power"). Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **personal integrity and self-possession**, as the Shulamite asserts her autonomy and the uncompromised nature of her heart. This declaration serves as a culmination of the book's celebration of authentic, passionate, and unyielding love that is both deeply personal and fiercely protected, valuing intrinsic worth over external riches.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vineyard (Hebrew, _kerem'_):** From an unused root of uncertain meaning, this term refers to a garden or vineyard. In the Song of Solomon, particularly in this verse, "vineyard" functions as a profound metaphor for the Shulamite's inner self, her purity, her affections, and her capacity for exclusive love. Her "vineyard" represents her unblemished heart and singular devotion, which she claims as uniquely her own and not for commercial exploitation.
* **Before (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** This plural noun, though always used as singular, literally means "face" but is used here with a prepositional prefix to indicate presence, proximity, or being "in front of." When the Shulamite says her vineyard is "before me," it signifies that it is continually in her sight, under her direct control, cherished, and actively guarded. It implies a constant awareness and vigilance over her most intimate possession, ensuring it remains uncompromised and exclusively hers.
* **Keep (Hebrew, _nâṭar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to guard" or "to preserve," and figuratively, "to cherish (anger)." In the context of "those that keep the fruit," it refers to the stewards or caretakers responsible for protecting and harvesting the vineyard's produce. In the Shulamite's implied contrast, she herself is the vigilant keeper of her own "vineyard," ensuring its purity, integrity, and exclusive reservation for her beloved, rather than allowing it to be managed or profited from by others.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My vineyard, which is mine, is before me":** This emphatic declaration underscores the Shulamite's absolute and exclusive ownership of her "vineyard." The repetition of the possessive ("my" and "mine") highlights an unshared, personal possession that is not subject to external control or commercialization. "Is before me" suggests that it is continually in her view, under her direct control, and actively cherished, implying a vigilant guarding of her heart, purity, and singular devotion.
* **"thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand":** This clause directly addresses King Solomon, acknowledging his vast wealth and extensive holdings. The "thousand" undoubtedly refers to "a thousand pieces of silver," as mentioned in [Song of Solomon 8:11](/song_of_solomon/8-11 "Song of Solomon 8:11 - Solomon's Vineyard"), representing the substantial income or value of his own widespread vineyard. This statement acknowledges his material prosperity without expressing envy or desire, setting up a clear contrast.
* **"and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred":** This refers to the portion of the income from Solomon's vineyard that goes to the caretakers or stewards. It illustrates the commercial, distributed nature of Solomon's wealth, where others profit from his holdings and manage his assets. This contrasts sharply with the Shulamite's personal "vineyard," which is not for rent or profit, but is reserved for her exclusive beloved, managed and protected by herself alone.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is exceptionally rich in **Symbolism**, with the "vineyard" serving as the central metaphor for the Shulamite's heart, purity, and capacity for exclusive love. This symbol is further emphasized through the powerful use of **Repetition** ("My vineyard, which is mine"), which creates an undeniable sense of personal ownership, unyielding devotion, and uncompromised integrity. The entire verse functions as a profound **Contrast**, directly juxtaposing the Shulamite's singular, uncommercialized "vineyard" with King Solomon's vast, profit-driven holdings. This **Juxtaposition** highlights the thematic difference between worldly wealth and the inestimable value of pure, exclusive, and unbought love. The Shulamite's direct address to "O Solomon" is a form of **Apostrophe**, lending a personal, assertive, and declarative tone to her powerful statement, emphasizing her autonomy and the unique nature of her devotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the theological principle of exclusive devotion, particularly in the context of covenantal love. The Shulamite's "vineyard" represents a consecrated space—her heart and fidelity—reserved solely for her beloved. This mirrors the biblical call for God's people to offer Him undivided loyalty, rejecting idolatry and competing affections. Just as the Shulamite values her unblemished love above Solomon's material abundance, believers are called to prioritize their relationship with God above all worldly pursuits, recognizing that true spiritual wealth lies in intimacy with the Divine, not in earthly possessions or status. It is a powerful testament to the sanctity and preciousness of exclusive, uncompromised love, whether in human marriage or in the divine-human relationship, emphasizing that the heart's deepest affections must be singularly directed.

* [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods Before Me")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - You Cannot Serve Two Masters")
* [2 Corinthians 11:2](/2_corinthians/11-2 "2 Corinthians 11:2 - Exclusive Devotion to Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Shulamite's declaration in Song of Solomon 8:12 challenges us to deeply examine the "vineyard" of our own lives—our hearts, our affections, our time, our talents, and our resources. To whom or what do we grant exclusive ownership? Are we cultivating our inner lives for the Lord, or are we allowing them to be "rented out" to various worldly pursuits, fleeting ambitions, or distracting pleasures that promise temporary gain but ultimately diminish our capacity for true intimacy with God? This verse calls us to a radical commitment, reminding us that our most precious possession is our devotion, which should be "before us" always, actively guarded and cherished for the One who truly owns our hearts. It encourages us to resist the allure of external validation, material wealth, or transient pleasures, and instead, to find our profoundest fulfillment in an uncompromised, singular, and deeply personal relationship with Christ, ensuring that our spiritual vineyard yields fruit for Him alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does your "vineyard" represent in your life today (e.g., your time, talents, affections, resources)?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to "rent out" parts of your "vineyard" to worldly pursuits rather than reserving them for God?**
* **How does the Shulamite's emphasis on exclusive ownership challenge your understanding of devotion and commitment in your spiritual walk?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more actively guard and cherish the "vineyard" of your heart for the Lord?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the Shulamite's "vineyard" being "before me"?**

Answer: The phrase "before me" (Hebrew: _pânîym_) signifies that her vineyard—representing her heart, purity, and singular devotion—is continually in her sight, under her direct control, and actively cherished and guarded. Unlike Solomon's vineyard, which is managed by others for profit, her "vineyard" is a personal, intimate possession that she herself oversees and protects, ensuring its uncompromised status and exclusive reservation for her beloved. It speaks to her active stewardship of her own integrity and affections, emphasizing that her love is not for sale or for public consumption, but is a private, sacred trust.

**How does this verse contrast the Shulamite's love with Solomon's wealth?**

Answer: This verse draws a stark contrast between the Shulamite's personal, exclusive love and King Solomon's vast material wealth. Solomon's vineyard in [Song of Solomon 8:11](/song_of_solomon/8-11 "Song of Solomon 8:11 - Solomon's Vineyard") yields "a thousand pieces of silver," with a portion going to his keepers, highlighting its commercial and distributed nature. The Shulamite, however, declares her "vineyard" (her heart/love) is uniquely "mine," not for sale or rent to others. She implicitly states that her unblemished, singular devotion is of far greater value than any material riches or widespread dominion, asserting the incomparable worth of true, uncompromised intimacy over worldly gain. Her love is a treasure that cannot be quantified or acquired through wealth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 8:12 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the exclusive and uncompromised devotion that the church, as the Bride of Christ, is called to offer to her Groom. Just as the Shulamite fiercely guards her "vineyard" for her beloved, so too is the church called to preserve her purity and singular affection for Jesus Christ, rejecting all competing loyalties and idols. Christ Himself is the ultimate "keeper" of His church, having purchased her with His own precious blood, making her uniquely His own (as seen in [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). The "thousand" and "two hundred" of Solomon's worldly wealth and the allure of earthly gain pale in comparison to the immeasurable value of Christ's love and the spiritual riches found in Him (a truth powerfully articulated by Paul in [Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Paul's Loss for Christ")). The Lord desires our whole heart, not a divided allegiance, and His presence "before us" (as our ever-present High Priest and King, as in [Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Access to God Through Christ")) ensures that our spiritual "vineyard" can be cultivated for His glory alone, yielding the "fruit" of righteousness and devotion that He delights in (a theme central to [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ")). This verse thus beautifully foreshadows the New Covenant call to a fervent, unreserved, and holy union with Christ, where our hearts are exclusively His, a sacred space yielding fruit for the Beloved alone.

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

Song Of Solomon 1:6

Look not upon me, because I [am] black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; [but] mine own vineyard have I not kept.

2 Corinthians 5:15

And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Proverbs 4:23

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.

1 Thessalonians 2:19

For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

Psalms 72:17

His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and [men] shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.

Psalms 72:19

And blessed [be] his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled [with] his glory; Amen, and Amen.

Romans 14:7

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.