Song Of Solomon 8:9 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Song Of Solomon 8:9 kjv
If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.
Song Of Solomon 8:9 nkjv
If she is a wall, We will build upon her A battlement of silver; And if she is a door, We will enclose her With boards of cedar.
Song Of Solomon 8:9 niv
If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.
Song Of Solomon 8:9 esv
If she is a wall, we will build on her a battlement of silver, but if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.
Song Of Solomon 8:9 nlt
If she is a virgin, like a wall,
we will protect her with a silver tower.
But if she is promiscuous, like a swinging door,
we will block her door with a cedar bar.
Song Of Solomon 8 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 16:7-8 | "...your breasts were formed... when I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love..." | God's maturation and covenant with Israel |
| 2 Cor 11:2 | "...I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ." | Preparing the church for Christ |
| Eph 5:26-27 | "...that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water... that he might present the church to himself..." | Christ's purification of His Bride |
| 1 Tim 5:1-2 | "Do not rebuke an older man... encourage younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters..." | Treating younger believers with care |
| Titus 2:3-5 | "...teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure..." | Teaching purity and preparation for marriage |
| 1 Pet 2:2 | "...Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—" | Growth of new believers |
| Heb 5:12-14 | "...need milk, not solid food... but solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained..." | Spiritual immaturity vs. maturity |
| Col 1:28 | "...warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ." | Goal of presenting mature believers |
| Prov 4:23 | "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." | Guarding one's inner purity |
| Prov 31:10-31 | "...An excellent wife, who can find? She is far more precious than jewels..." | Characteristics of a worthy woman |
| Ps 144:12 | "May our sons in their youth be like plants full-grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace." | Hope for strong, well-prepared children |
| 1 John 3:3 | "Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." | Purity for divine anticipation |
| 2 Pet 3:14 | "Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish..." | Readiness for Christ's coming |
| Matt 25:1-13 | (Parable of the ten virgins) | Preparedness for the bridegroom |
| Isa 61:10 | "...He has clothed me with garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bride adorns herself..." | Righteousness as bridal adornment |
| Jer 2:2 | "...I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness..." | Early devotion as a bride |
| 1 Cor 7:34 | "...The unmarried woman or virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit." | Devotion to holiness as a single woman |
| Deut 22:13-21 | (Laws regarding defaming a virgin bride) | Laws protecting bridal purity |
| Isa 54:5 | "For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name..." | God as Israel's Husband |
| Gen 24:1-67 | (Story of Rebekah's selection as Isaac's bride) | Preparations for betrothal and marriage |
| Judges 21:7 | "How shall we provide wives for those who are left, since we have sworn by the LORD not to give them any of our daughters?" | Communal responsibility for marriage |
| Luke 12:42 | "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household to give them their portion of food at the proper time?" | Responsibility of spiritual stewards |
| Song 2:15 | "Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom." | Protecting vulnerability, growth stage |
Song Of Solomon 8 verses
Song Of Solomon 8 9 meaning
Song of Solomon 8:9 presents a question from the woman's brothers (representing a communal or familial voice) regarding their younger sister, who is described as "little" and not yet physically mature ("has no breasts"). This evokes concern about how to prepare and protect her for the day when she will be "spoken for," meaning when proposals of marriage come. Allegorically, it speaks to the church's responsibility in nurturing, protecting, and maturing young or new believers who are not yet fully equipped for the challenges and responsibilities of their spiritual journey and the eventual "marriage" to Christ. It emphasizes guardianship of purity and character in the vulnerable, prior to evaluation for covenantal commitment.
Song Of Solomon 8 9 Context
Song of Solomon 8:9 appears in the closing verses of the book, moving from the intensely personal and intimate dialogue between the Beloved and her King to a broader, communal reflection. This shift indicates that the love celebrated is not solely an individual experience but has implications for family and community. The Shulamite woman, having found and affirmed her love, now seems to prompt or reflect on the care for others in a similar position. Historically and culturally, in ancient Israelite society, the family, particularly brothers or male guardians, had significant responsibility for protecting the purity, reputation, and marital prospects of their young women. A young woman’s suitability for marriage was directly linked to her character and, significantly, her virginity. This verse thus echoes a deep-seated concern for moral and social safeguarding within the community, ensuring the proper upbringing and preparation for a central life event—marriage. It serves as a call for vigilance and wise stewardship concerning young women within the community, anticipating a day of public evaluation and commitment.
Song Of Solomon 8 9 Word analysis
- We: The Hebrew `אנוּ` (anu) signifies a collective, plural pronoun. It marks a shift from individual lovers to a community or family. This collective voice (traditionally interpreted as the Shulamite's brothers or other guardians) emphasizes communal responsibility for the vulnerable members.
- have: The Hebrew `לנוּ` (lanu) is a preposition "to us" forming a possessive. It expresses not just ownership, but a relationship and a duty of care towards her.
- a little sister: The Hebrew `אחות קטנה` (`'achot qeṭannah`).
- `אחות` (`'achot`): "sister," referring to a close family relation, implying responsibility and familial affection.
- `קטנה` (`qeṭannah`): "little," denoting youth, immaturity, and vulnerability. In the allegorical sense, this refers to young or new believers who are nascent in their faith, not yet matured. It signifies a stage needing special nurturing and protection.
- and she hath no breasts: The Hebrew `וְשָׁדַיִם אֵין לָהּ` (`wəšādayim 'ên lāh`).
- `שָׁדַיִם` (`šādayim`): "breasts," a visible sign of a woman reaching puberty and physical maturity, ready for childbearing and, in that culture, for marriage.
- `אֵין לָהּ` (`'ên lāh`): "she has not," indicating a lack of this specific mature development. Symbolically, this represents a lack of spiritual maturity, readiness for deep spiritual responsibilities, or the ability to bear "spiritual fruit." It also points to her physical and social unreadiness for betrothal in the conventional sense, heightening the concern for her protection.
- what shall we do for our sister: This is an active question of solicitude and planned action. The Hebrew `מַה נַּעֲשֶׂה לַאֲחֹתֵנוּ` (`mah na‘ăśeh la'ăḥotênu`) highlights a desire for practical and protective measures. It underscores a sense of communal agency and foresight in safeguarding her purity and future well-being.
- in the day: The Hebrew `בְּיוֹם` (`bəyom`), meaning "in the day of" or "on the day when," points to a specific, future point in time—a decisive moment.
- when she shall be spoken for?: The Hebrew `שֶׁיְּדֻבַּר־בָּהּ` (`shey'dubbar-bah`) is a passive verbal construction, literally "when she will be spoken about" or "when speech will be made concerning her." This phrase is a common idiom for a formal inquiry or proposal for marriage, when her character, purity, and suitability for covenantal relationship would be openly discussed and evaluated. It emphasizes the critical moment of assessment and the importance of prior preparation.
Words-group analysis
- "We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts": This phrase collectively establishes the situation: a young, vulnerable female relation who is not yet mature for the responsibilities and demands of marriage. This situation elicits concern, triggering the subsequent question regarding her preparation. The imagery of "no breasts" vividly communicates her youthful stage, needing nurturing rather than being ready to nurture.
- "what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?": This is a rhetorical question that prompts thoughtful, preventative, and protective action. It underscores a proactive approach to guardianship, preparing her for the inevitable day of evaluation. It implies the need for communal wisdom and resources to ensure her worthiness and protection from harm before such a crucial life event. This concern transcends immediate desire and looks to future security and honor.
Song Of Solomon 8 9 Bonus section
The dialogue in this verse often immediately follows the Shulamite's affirmation, "I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers" (Song 8:10), a statement of her own secured virtue and strength, likely due to her brothers' protective upbringing (Song 8:8). This juxtaposition implies that the question in verse 9 is retrospective, perhaps an internal reflection or an external praise for the effective way she was raised, leading to her current virtuous state. Alternatively, it can be seen as an ongoing concern for those yet to attain her level of purity and steadfastness. In spiritual terms, a "wall" implies security and unwavering commitment, while "breasts like towers" suggest a readiness for fruitful union and protection of what is vital. Thus, the church's role is to ensure that its younger members develop such fortifications and spiritual fruitfulness. This collective responsibility is paramount, moving the book's themes beyond mere romance to profound lessons about covenant, communal care, and spiritual formation.
Song Of Solomon 8 9 Commentary
This verse serves as a crucial theological bridge, connecting the individual marital passion of the Song with the communal responsibilities within the spiritual body. The "little sister" with "no breasts" represents a phase of immaturity, spiritual or otherwise, calling for communal nurture. The core message is one of responsible guardianship: a church (or mature believers) has a duty to protect, teach, and equip new or vulnerable members, preparing them for spiritual maturity and eventual "marriage" to Christ, often symbolized by His return or our eternal communion. This preparation involves fostering purity, strong character, and a deep-rooted faith so that when the day of reckoning or joyful union arrives ("when she shall be spoken for"), they are found worthy and undefiled. The question "what shall we do" underscores the urgency and collective nature of this task, emphasizing spiritual development and preservation from worldly corruptions. This echoes the early church's efforts in catechizing and discipleship.