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Song Of Solomon 6:8

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There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.

There are threescore {H8346} queens {H4436}, and fourscore {H8084} concubines {H6370}, and virgins {H5959} without number {H4557}.

There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, as well as young women beyond number;

There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number,

There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, And virgins without number.

Commentary

Song of Solomon 6:8 (KJV)

"There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number."

Context and Background

This verse is part of a section where the daughters of Jerusalem or the king himself describe the vastness of the king's royal court and harem. It sets a dramatic contrast for the following verse, which highlights the unique and unparalleled beauty and value of the Shulamite woman in the midst of this multitude. Ancient Near Eastern kings often had large numbers of wives and concubines as a display of wealth, power, and political alliances.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Abundance vs. Uniqueness: The verse emphasizes the sheer number of women available to the king, representing worldly power, options, and quantity. This serves to magnify the significance of the woman the king truly desires and praises in the subsequent verses, highlighting that true value lies not in quantity but in unique worth.
  • Royal Splendor: It paints a picture of the lavishness and size of a royal court in that era.

Linguistic Insights

"Threescore" means sixty, and "fourscore" means eighty. These are straightforward KJV translations of the Hebrew numbers שִׁשִּׁים (shishim) and שְׁמֹנִים (shmonim). The terms "queens" (מְלָכוֹת, melakhot) and "concubines" (פִּילַגְשִׁים, pilagshim) denote different ranks within the royal household, with queens holding higher status. "Virgins without number" (עֲלָמוֹת אֵין מִסְפָּר, 'alamot 'ein mispar) emphasizes an uncountable multitude of young women, further underscoring the vastness of the king's resources and options.

Cross-Reference

The concept of a king having many wives and concubines is historically attested, for example, concerning Solomon himself in 1 Kings 11:3.

Practical Application

This verse, especially when read in conjunction with Song of Solomon 6:9, can remind us that true value and deep affection are not about having countless options or comparing one person to many others. It's about recognizing and cherishing the unique worth of an individual above all others, regardless of how many alternatives might exist. It speaks to the nature of exclusive, devoted love.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 45:14 (11 votes)

    She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

  • 1 Kings 11:3 (8 votes)

    And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

  • 1 Kings 11:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, [and] Hittites;

  • 2 Chronicles 11:21 (6 votes)

    And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)

  • Psalms 45:9 (6 votes)

    Kings' daughters [were] among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

  • Revelation 7:9 (5 votes)

    After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;