Song of Solomon 8:7

Translation
King James Version
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Many H7227 waters H4325 cannot H3201 quench H3518 love H160, neither can the floods H5104 drown H7857 it: if a man H376 would give H5414 all the substance H1952 of his house H1004 for love H160, it would utterly H936 be contemned H936.
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Complete Jewish Bible
No amount of water can quench love, torrents cannot drown it. If someone gave all the wealth in his house for love, he would gain only utter contempt.
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Berean Standard Bible
Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.
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American Standard Version
Many waters cannot quench love, Neither can floods drown it: If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, He would utterly be contemned.
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World English Bible Messianic
Many waters can’t quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned. Friends
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Much water can not quench loue, neither can the floods drowne it: If a man should giue all the substance of his house for loue, they would greatly contemne it.
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Young's Literal Translation
Many waters are not able to quench the love, And floods do not wash it away. If one give all the wealth of his house for love, Treading down--they tread upon it.
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See also
Proverbs 6:35Isaiah 43:2Proverbs 6:31Romans 13:8Romans 13:10Matthew 7:24Matthew 7:25
In the KJVVerse 17,648 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Song of Solomon 8:7 serves as a climactic declaration on the profound nature of love, asserting its indomitable strength against all external pressures and its inestimable value beyond any material wealth. It portrays love as an unquenchable fire and an unpurchasable treasure, an enduring bond that transcends the destructive forces of the world and scorns any attempt to acquire it through mere possessions. This verse encapsulates the book's central message: true love is resilient, priceless, and utterly contemptuous of mercenary motives.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Song of Solomon 8:7 appears near the very end of the book, functioning as a powerful theological and thematic capstone to the entire lyrical poem. The preceding chapters have explored the developing relationship between the Shulammite woman and her beloved, depicting their longing, their intimacy, their struggles, and their deep affection. Chapter 8 itself opens with the Shulammite expressing her desire for public intimacy and her protective love for her younger sister, setting a tone of mature, possessive, and outward-looking love. Verse 6, immediately preceding, is a passionate appeal for love to be set "as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm," emphasizing its exclusive, binding, and powerful nature, akin to death and Sheol in its intensity. Verse 7 then expands on this intensity, providing a universal declaration about love's inherent qualities, summarizing the enduring and all-consuming passion celebrated throughout the Song.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The Song of Solomon is set in an ancient Near Eastern context, likely during the Solomonic era, characterized by a rich tradition of poetic and wisdom literature. The imagery of "many waters" and "floods" would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society dependent on water, where both its life-giving and destructive capacities were well understood. Rivers could bring fertility but also devastating floods. The concept of "substance of his house" (wealth) was central to societal standing and security, often encompassing land, livestock, and precious metals. In a culture where marriages were often arranged and dowries exchanged, the idea of love being unpurchasable would have been a radical and counter-cultural statement, elevating genuine affection above transactional arrangements. The Song, in its celebration of mutual desire and romantic love, stands out from much ancient literature that focused on procreation or political alliances as primary marital motivations.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully articulates several core themes found throughout the Song of Solomon and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the invincibility and endurance of true love, portraying it as a force that cannot be overcome by external adversity, a theme echoed in the New Testament's description of love's perseverance in the famous love chapter. Secondly, it highlights the incomparable value and unpurchasable nature of genuine affection, asserting that love cannot be bought or sold, a concept that resonates with the divine truth that God's greatest gifts, like salvation and grace, are freely given and cannot be earned by human effort or wealth, as stated in Isaiah's invitation to the thirsty and Paul's letter to the Ephesians. The verse also implicitly touches on the theme of exclusivity and commitment within love, as such a powerful and priceless bond demands complete devotion.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Love (Hebrew, ʼahăbâh', H160): This word (H160) is central to the entire book and this verse. Derived from the root for affection, it denotes a deep, passionate, and enduring emotional attachment. In this context, it refers to the profound, mutual affection between the beloveds, but its universal phrasing extends its meaning to true, genuine love in its most ideal form. It encompasses not just romantic desire but also loyalty, commitment, and a powerful bond that seeks the well-being of the other. The use of this term here elevates the human experience of love to a level of divine power and sanctity, describing an affection that can be both good and, in other contexts, potentially negative.
  • Quench (Hebrew, kâbâh', H3518): The verb (H3518) means "to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)." When paired with "waters" (H4325) and "floods" (H5104), it vividly portrays the inability of overwhelming forces to put out the flame of love. This imagery emphasizes love's inherent vitality and resilience. Just as a fire, once truly ignited, resists being put out by water, so too genuine love possesses an inner strength that resists dissolution by adversity, trials, or external pressures.
  • Contemned (Hebrew, bûwz', H936): This word (H936) is a primitive root meaning "to disrespect, contemn, despise, utterly." Its use here is exceptionally strong, indicating not merely a rejection or failure, but a profound scorn and moral indignation. If one were to attempt to purchase love with "all the substance of his house" (H1952, wealth; H1004, house/family), such an offer would be met with absolute disdain. This highlights love's sacred, non-negotiable, and non-transactional nature. It cannot be bought, and the very idea of trying to do so is an insult to its intrinsic worth.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it": This opening clause employs powerful natural imagery to declare love's invincible nature. "Many waters" (H7227, rab, abundant; H4325, mayim, water) and "floods" (H5104, nâhâr, stream/river; H7857, shâṭaph, to gush/inundate) represent overwhelming, destructive forces. The assertion is that despite the most formidable adversities, trials, or even attempts to extinguish it, true love remains resilient and unyielding. It suggests that genuine affection possesses an inherent strength that allows it to persevere through all challenges, much like a deeply rooted flame that cannot be extinguished by a deluge.
  • "if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned." This second clause shifts focus from love's resilience to its inestimable value. "A man" (H376, ʼîysh, an individual) attempting to "give" (H5414, nâthan, to give/put) "all the substance" (H1952, hôwn, wealth/riches) "of his house" (H1004, bayith, house/family) for love implies an attempt to acquire it through material means. The emphatic response, "it would utterly (H936, bûwz, despise, with H936, bûwz, utterly) be contemned," underscores that love is beyond price. Any attempt to buy it is not only futile but also met with scorn and deep disrespect, as it fundamentally misunderstands and devalues love's true essence as a freely given, priceless bond.

Literary Devices

Song of Solomon 8:7 is rich in Imagery, using vivid natural phenomena to convey abstract truths about love. The "many waters" and "floods" create a powerful visual of overwhelming force, while the unquenchable "love" is implicitly likened to a flame or a deeply rooted entity. This creates a strong Metaphor where love is compared to something that cannot be extinguished or drowned, emphasizing its enduring and resilient nature. The verse also employs Hyperbole in the phrase "all the substance of his house," exaggerating the amount of wealth a man might offer to emphasize the absolute pricelessness of love. The use of Antithesis is evident in the contrast between the destructive power of water and the indomitable nature of love, and between material wealth and the unpurchasable quality of true affection. Finally, the strong, almost indignant tone of "it would utterly be contemned" lends a sense of Personification to love itself, as if love is actively rejecting the demeaning offer.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse, while celebrating human love, profoundly reflects divine truths about God's own character and His relationship with humanity. Just as human love, when true, is unquenchable and unpurchasable, so too is God's agape love. His love for His people cannot be extinguished by their failures, the world's opposition, or the forces of evil; it is an enduring covenantal love that triumphs over all. Furthermore, God's grace and salvation, which flow from His love, are utterly beyond human purchase or merit. Any attempt to earn or buy God's favor with human "substance" or works is met with a divine "contempt" for such a transactional approach, as it fundamentally misunderstands the nature of grace as a free gift. This verse thus serves as a beautiful human analogy for the steadfast, sovereign, and gratuitous love of God, which is both eternally persistent and freely bestowed.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Song of Solomon 8:7 offers profound insights for navigating relationships and life in a world often driven by material gain and fleeting emotions. It calls us to cultivate a love that is resilient, capable of weathering the inevitable storms of life – disagreements, hardships, external pressures, and personal failings. True love is not a fair-weather friend; it is a steadfast anchor. Moreover, the verse challenges us to re-evaluate our priorities, reminding us that genuine affection, loyalty, and intimacy cannot be bought with money, status, or power. Attempting to do so cheapens the very essence of love and will ultimately lead to emptiness and scorn. Instead, we are encouraged to invest in relationships with authenticity, commitment, and self-giving, recognizing that the most precious bonds are forged through shared experiences, mutual respect, and unconditional acceptance, not through transactional exchanges. This applies not only to romantic love but to all forms of deep, meaningful connection, urging us to seek and offer love that is truly priceless and enduring.

Questions for Reflection

  • What "waters" or "floods" in your life or relationships have challenged your love, and how has love proven resilient?
  • In what ways might we, consciously or unconsciously, try to "buy" love or affection with material possessions, favors, or status?
  • How does understanding love as unpurchasable change your approach to building and maintaining relationships?
  • How does the unquenchable and unpurchasable nature of God's love for you impact your faith and daily living?

FAQ

What kind of "love" is being described in Song of Solomon 8:7?

Answer: The "love" (Hebrew: ʼahăbâh) in Song of Solomon 8:7 primarily refers to the deep, passionate, and exclusive romantic love between a man and a woman, as celebrated throughout the book. However, the universal and absolute language used ("many waters cannot quench love") elevates this specific human experience to a profound declaration about the nature of genuine love in general. It speaks to an ideal, enduring, and priceless affection that transcends mere infatuation or transactional relationships. While its immediate context is romantic, its principles are applicable to any true, self-giving bond.

Why would giving "all the substance of his house for love" be "utterly contemned"?

Answer: The phrase "utterly be contemned" (Hebrew: bûwz) signifies a deep scorn and moral indignation. It highlights that true love is not a commodity that can be bought or sold. Love, in its purest form, is a freely given bond of affection, commitment, and devotion. To attempt to purchase it with "all the substance of his house" (meaning all of one's wealth, property, or possessions) fundamentally misunderstands and devalues its sacred nature. Such an offer would be met with contempt because it implies that love is a transaction, rather than a priceless, intrinsic connection. It's a rejection of the very idea that genuine affection could be reduced to a monetary exchange.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Song of Solomon 8:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The unquenchable nature of love is perfectly embodied in God's steadfast love for humanity, a love that "many waters cannot quench." This divine love, revealed in Christ, endured the "floods" of human sin, rebellion, and even the cross itself, yet it was never extinguished. As Romans 5:8 declares, "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." No adversity, no spiritual force, no human failing could drown God's eternal commitment to redeem His people. Furthermore, the unpurchasable nature of love points directly to the grace of salvation. Humanity, with "all the substance of his house"—all its good works, religious efforts, or material wealth—could never purchase or earn God's favor or eternal life. Any such attempt would be "utterly contemned" in the face of God's free and unmerited gift. Ephesians 2:8-9 explicitly states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Christ's sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate demonstration of a love that is freely given, beyond all human price, and eternally triumphant, inviting us into a relationship based on grace, not gain. This is the love that nothing can separate us from.

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Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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Cyril of JerusalemAD 386
Catechetical Lecture 14:13
Though weak in body the women were courageous in spirit. “Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can floods drown it.” He whom they sought was dead, but their hope of the resurrection was not quenched.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On Jacob and the Blessed Life, 1.7.27-28
And so charity ought to be in us, that we may not be called back from Christ by any dangers. For it is written: 'Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can the floods drown it'; because love passes over the torrent. No storm, no deep peril, no fear of death or punishment can diminish the power of charity. In these things we are tested, in these things a happy life is found, even if it is overwhelmed by many dangers. For a wise person is not broken by bodily pains, nor is he disturbed by discomforts; but he remains happy even in hardships. For the adversities of bodily life do not diminish the gift of a happy life, nor do they detract from its sweetness; because happiness in life does not consist in bodily pleasure, but in a pure conscience free from any stain of sin, and in the mind of one who knows that what is good, even if it is harsh, delights him; but what is indecent, even if it is pleasant, does not soothe him.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS 8
“If a man gives his whole life for love, they will utterly despise him.” Those bereft and devoid of love will despise the one giving his life for love; hence blessed Paul also said, “When reviled we bless, when persecuted we put up with it, when blasphemed we are encouraging, we have become the world’s refuse, as it were, everyone’s off-scouring to this day.” This happens, in fact, to people who are dizzy: though they cannot stand up straight, they think everything else is spinning around; similarly also people bereft of love blaspheme the devotees of love as stupid and foolish. Far from undermining love, however, this even rendered it more ardent. When reviled the apostles gave blessings, when blasphemed they were encouraging, and on becoming the world’s refuse, as it were, they claimed to be everyone’s off-scouring to this day.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
Many waters could not extinguish love, etc. He calls the many waters and the rivers the onslaught of temptations, which either visibly or invisibly do not cease to attack the souls of the faithful: for they attempt to overcome them both through open adversaries of faith, and through false brethren, and through the hidden snares of the ancient enemy; yet they are not able in any way to capture with temptations the hearts that are accustomed to being rooted and grounded in love, for the firm promise of truth stands, which says: When you pass through the water, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you (Isaiah 43); and in the Gospel about the house built upon the rock: When the flood came, it says, the river burst against that house and could not shake it; for it was founded upon the rock (Matthew 7); and since in whatever mind the love of eternal goods abounds, soon the love of fleeting things diminishes, rightly it is added:
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
If a man gives all the substance of his house, etc. This sentence does not require an explanation of words, as both the apostles themselves at the beginning and countless believers afterward have sufficiently proved its truth by their examples, when for the love of the truth they seemed to leave everything they possessed in this world, and appeared to lose nothing to themselves, so long as they would receive true goods in heaven. Which the Lord clearly indicated in the Gospel with two consecutive parables: "The kingdom of heaven," He says, "is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man, having found, hides, and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field" (Matthew XIII). "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking goodly pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew XIII). Hence the excellent preacher said most excellently, "For the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him" (Philippians III). But if it read, as some manuscripts have, "He will despise him," a very different sense is generated, that which the Apostle commends when he says, "If I give away all I have to the poor, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing" (I Corinthians XIII). Therefore, if a man gives all the substance of his house to the poor out of love, that is, for the sake of love, it is as if he gave nothing, and he will be despised by the judge who sees his heart empty of love. Although this seems contrary to the previous sense, it nonetheless demonstrates how high and necessary the virtue of love is; and both proceed to signify that we always carry love in our work simply like a seal.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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