Song Of Solomon 8:12

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

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}.

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

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.

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

Context

Song of Solomon 8:12 concludes the book's narrative, following a scene where the Shulamite woman expresses a deep longing for her beloved and a desire for their love to be publicly affirmed. The preceding verse, Song of Solomon 8:11, describes King Solomon's vast vineyard, which he rented out for a thousand pieces of silver, with two hundred going to the keepers. This verse is the Shulamite's response, asserting her own position and the unique nature of her love in contrast to Solomon's expansive, perhaps commercialized, holdings.

Key Themes

  • Exclusivity and Devotion: The repeated phrase "My vineyard, which is mine" powerfully emphasizes the Shulamite's personal ownership and the singular nature of her affections. Unlike Solomon's vineyard, which is shared and rented for profit, her "vineyard"—representing her heart, her purity, and her love—is exclusively hers and reserved for her beloved. This highlights a profound commitment to one person and a refusal to share her most intimate possession.
  • Value of True Love: By contrasting her singular "vineyard" with Solomon's thousand pieces of silver, the Shulamite declares that her genuine, unblemished love is far more valuable than any worldly wealth, power, or widespread dominion. She is not swayed by riches or status but cherishes the purity and exclusivity of her devotion above all material gain.
  • Contrast of Worldly Wealth vs. Personal Purity: The verse draws a stark comparison between King Solomon's vast material possessions and the Shulamite's personal integrity and fidelity. It suggests that while others might pursue wealth and status, she finds her fulfillment and security in her unreserved, exclusive commitment to her beloved. Her "vineyard" is a symbol of her unyielding loyalty and uncompromised self.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "My vineyard, which is mine" (כַּרְמִי שֶׁלִּי, karmi sheli) uses a possessive suffix (-i for "my") followed by an independent possessive pronoun (sheli for "mine"). This emphatic repetition underscores the idea of absolute, unshared possession. It's not just "my vineyard," but "my vineyard, which is truly and uniquely mine," setting it apart from Solomon's more commercialized and distributed vineyard.

Practical Application

For believers, this verse offers a powerful illustration of singular devotion to Christ. Just as the Shulamite reserved her "vineyard" for her beloved, Christians are called to offer their hearts, lives, and affections exclusively to God, resisting the allure of worldly distractions, wealth, or competing loyalties. It's a call to purity and faithfulness in our spiritual walk, recognizing that our relationship with God is of supreme value, far exceeding any earthly gain. It reminds us that our spiritual "vineyard"—our character, our service, our worship—should be cultivated for Him alone, offering Him our undivided and uncompromised devotion.

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Cross-References

  • Song Of Solomon 1:6 (4 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Romans 14:7 (2 votes)

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