Song Of Solomon 8:5

KJV

¶ Who [is] this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth [that] bare thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who is this that cometh up {H5927} from the wilderness {H4057}, leaning {H7514} upon her beloved {H1730}? I raised {H5782} thee up under the apple tree {H8598}: there thy mother {H517} brought thee forth {H2254}: there she brought thee forth {H2254} that bare {H3205} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

[Chorus] Who is this, coming up from the desert, leaning on her darling? [He] I awakened you under the apple tree. It was there that your mother conceived you; there she who bore you conceived you.

Berean Standard Bible

Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? I roused you under the apple tree; there your mother conceived you; there she travailed and brought you forth.

American Standard Version

Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, Leaning upon her beloved? Under the apple-tree I awakened thee: There thy mother was in travail with thee, There was she in travail that brought thee forth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 8:5 presents a tender and climactic scene as the Shulamite woman and her beloved return from a journey, prompting an exclamation of wonder from observers. The verse then shifts to the beloved's intimate recollection of a foundational moment in their shared history, emphasizing the depth of their bond and the enduring nature of their love, rooted in a cherished origin point.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears near the conclusion of the Song of Solomon, serving as a powerful summation of the relationship between the Shulamite and her beloved. It echoes an earlier question posed by the "daughters of Jerusalem" in [Song of Solomon 3:6](/song_of_solomon/3-6 "Song of Solomon 3:6 - Who is this coming from the wilderness?"), but here, the couple is seen together, having successfully navigated periods of separation and longing. The journey "from the wilderness" signifies a progression from a place of testing or development to a state of secure, mature intimacy. It reinforces the theme of enduring love that has been tested and proven, culminating in a triumphant return and a deep, mutual dependence that defines their bond.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "wilderness" (Hebrew: _midbâr_) in ancient Israelite thought was often a place of solitude, danger, and testing, but also a place where God met His people and formed them, as seen in the Exodus narrative. Its use here suggests a journey or period of growth, perhaps away from the familiar, where their love deepened. The "apple tree" (Hebrew: _tappûwach_) was highly valued in the ancient Near East for its shade, fragrance, and sweet fruit, often symbolizing beauty, comfort, and delight. The act of "leaning upon her beloved" vividly portrays a common cultural expression of deep trust, reliance, and intimate companionship, reflecting the supportive nature of their relationship. The reference to "thy mother brought thee forth" under the apple tree points to a significant, perhaps even a birth or foundational, event, possibly a cherished memory of their initial encounter or the blossoming of their love in a place of comfort and nurturing.
* **Key Themes:** The verse profoundly articulates themes of **Intimacy and Dependence**, showcasing a relationship built on mutual support and trust, where vulnerability is met with strength. The imagery of coming "up from the wilderness" highlights a **Journey of Transformation and Growth**, suggesting that their love has matured through shared experiences and challenges. Furthermore, the beloved's tender recollection of the "apple tree" underscores the theme of **Foundational Love and Origin**, emphasizing the importance of cherished beginnings and the enduring power of a love rooted in significant, nurturing moments. This echoes the broader narrative of the Song, which celebrates the exclusive and resilient nature of committed love, as also seen in the powerful declaration about love's strength in [Song of Solomon 8:6-7](/song_of_solomon/8-6 "Song of Solomon 8:6-7 - Love is strong as death").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wilderness (Hebrew, _midbâr'_):** From an unused root meaning "to drive," referring to a pasture or open field where cattle are driven, by implication a desert. In biblical contexts, it often denotes an uninhabited or desolate area, but also a place of journey, testing, solitude, and divine encounter. Here, it signifies a period or place of progression and development for the couple.
* **leaning (Hebrew, _râphaq'_):** A primitive root meaning "to recline." This word conveys a sense of intimate support, reliance, and rest. The Shulamite's posture signifies her complete trust and dependence on her beloved, finding strength and comfort in his presence after their journey.
* **apple tree (Hebrew, _tappûwach'_):** From a root meaning "to breathe" or "to blow," referring to its fragrance. This term denotes an apple (or similar pome fruit like quince or orange) tree. In the Song, it symbolizes beauty, sweetness, comfort, shade, and a place of refreshing love and intimate connection, as also seen in [Song of Solomon 2:3](/song_of_solomon/2-3 "Song of Solomon 2:3 - The beloved as an apple tree among the sons").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who [is] this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?"**: This opening clause is a rhetorical question posed by external observers, expressing wonder and admiration at the sight of the couple. It paints a vivid picture of the Shulamite, strong yet dependent, emerging from a journey or period of trial, fully supported by her beloved. The phrase "leaning upon her beloved" immediately establishes the deep intimacy, trust, and mutual reliance that characterizes their relationship.
* **"I raised thee up under the apple tree:"**: This marks a shift in speaker to the beloved, who recalls a specific, tender, and foundational moment. The "apple tree" symbolizes a place of comfort, beauty, and intimate connection, suggesting where their love blossomed or where a significant event in the Shulamite's life (or their shared life) occurred. The beloved's active role in "raising her up" implies nurturing, protection, or the initiation of their relationship.
* **"there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth [that] bare thee."**: The repetition of "there she brought thee forth" emphasizes the significance of this location and event, linking it directly to the Shulamite's origin or the "birth" of their love. It is a tender acknowledgment of her beginnings, perhaps a literal birth, or a metaphorical rebirth into their relationship, under the nurturing shade of the apple tree, a place of safety and sweetness.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 8:5 employs several potent literary devices. The opening **Rhetorical Question**, "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?", immediately draws the reader into the scene, inviting wonder and contemplation about the identity and nature of the approaching figure. **Symbolism** is rich throughout the verse: the "wilderness" represents a journey, a period of trial, or a place of growth, while the "apple tree" symbolizes comfort, beauty, nurturing, and the sweet origin of love. The vivid **Imagery** of the Shulamite leaning on her beloved creates a powerful visual of intimacy, dependence, and mutual support. Finally, the **Repetition** of "there she brought thee forth" underscores the profound significance and tender memory associated with the "apple tree" as a place of origin or foundational love, emphasizing its importance to the beloved.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Song of Solomon 8:5, while a celebration of human love, resonates with profound theological implications regarding the believer's relationship with God. The imagery of emerging "from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved" beautifully illustrates the Christian journey through life's trials and challenges. Just as the Shulamite finds strength and comfort in her beloved, believers are called to find their ultimate strength and security in Christ, leaning entirely on His unfailing love and provision. The "wilderness" can represent periods of spiritual testing, doubt, or isolation, from which we emerge refined and more deeply dependent on God. The "apple tree" can be seen as a symbol of divine grace, a place of spiritual birth or renewal, where God's comforting presence and the sweetness of His love are experienced, providing the foundational strength for our ongoing walk of faith.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart")
* [Isaiah 40:3-4](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3-4 - Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness")
* [Hosea 2:14](/hosea/2-14 "Hosea 2:14 - I will allure her into the wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a profound invitation for personal reflection on our spiritual journey and our relationship with God. Life often presents its own "wilderness" experiences – periods of challenge, uncertainty, or spiritual dryness. It is precisely in these moments that we are called to deepen our "leaning" upon our Beloved, Jesus Christ. This leaning is not a sign of weakness, but of profound trust and strength found in His sufficiency. Reflect on how past trials have refined your faith and increased your dependence on God. Furthermore, the "apple tree" reminds us of foundational moments in our faith – perhaps a conversion experience, a significant spiritual breakthrough, or a consistent place of communion with God where His love was tangibly experienced. Remembering these "birthplaces" of grace can anchor us when the journey becomes difficult, reminding us of the sweet, life-giving source from which our spiritual life springs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wilderness" experiences have you navigated in your life, and how did they deepen your reliance on God?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a posture of "leaning upon your Beloved" (Christ) in your daily life, especially during times of challenge?**
* **Can you identify a spiritual "apple tree" moment in your life – a foundational experience of God's love or grace that continues to nourish and sustain you? How can you revisit or draw strength from that memory?**

### FAQ
**Is the "wilderness" in Song of Solomon 8:5 a negative symbol?**

Answer: Not necessarily. While the wilderness can symbolize desolation or trial in some biblical contexts, here it primarily represents a journey or a period of growth and development. The couple emerges from it stronger and more intimately bonded, suggesting that the "wilderness" was a place where their love matured and deepened, rather than a place of permanent hardship. It signifies a transition from a less settled state to one of secure and triumphant love.

**What is the significance of the "apple tree" in this verse, and why is it mentioned twice?**

Answer: The "apple tree" (or similar fragrant fruit tree) symbolizes a place of beauty, comfort, shade, and sweet delight. In this verse, it represents a cherished, foundational place where the Shulamite's life, or the blossoming of their love, began or was nurtured. The beloved's recollection underscores its significance as a tender memory of origin. The repetition of "there she brought thee forth" emphasizes the importance and tenderness of this specific location and event, highlighting its role as a sacred and formative memory.

**Who is asking the question "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness...?"**

Answer: The question is posed by external observers, likely the "daughters of Jerusalem" or other companions who have followed the narrative of the lovers throughout the Song. Their question conveys a sense of wonder and admiration at the sight of the couple, now mature in their love and clearly devoted to one another, emerging together from their journey. It highlights the visible strength and beauty of their bond to those around them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 8:5, while celebrating the beauty of human love, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the relationship between Christ and His Church. The "wilderness" from which the Shulamite emerges can be seen as a powerful metaphor for humanity's fallen state, a world marred by sin, or the challenging journey of sanctification that believers undertake. Yet, the Church, the Bride of Christ, does not traverse this wilderness alone; she is seen "leaning upon her Beloved," Jesus Christ. This posture beautifully illustrates our complete dependence on Him for strength, guidance, and sustenance through every trial and triumph. Just as the beloved recalls raising the Shulamite "under the apple tree," Christ, our Beloved, "raised us up" from spiritual death to new life, often at the "apple tree" of the cross, where His sacrifice bore the sweetest fruit of salvation and reconciliation ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this")). There, our spiritual "mother" – perhaps the Holy Spirit or the Church – brought us forth into new birth. This verse speaks to the profound intimacy and secure foundation of our union with Christ, who not only initiates our salvation but sustains us through every step of our journey, leading us triumphantly through the wilderness of this world towards the eternal marriage supper of the Lamb ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")). He is our constant strength, our tender nurturer, and the source of our very spiritual being, inviting us to cast all our burdens upon Him and find rest for our souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come unto me, all ye that labour")).

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 3:6

¶ Who [is] this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

Isaiah 40:3

¶ The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Psalms 63:8

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Song Of Solomon 2:3

¶ As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so [is] my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit [was] sweet to my taste.

Song Of Solomon 3:4

[It was] but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:4

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH [is] everlasting strength: