Song of Songs 8 — HeartWord

¹ Oh that thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breasts of my mother! When I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; Yea, and none would despise me.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

O that H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
as my brother H251 (אָח) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like 1])
that sucked H3243 (יָנַק) — to suck; causatively, to give milk
the breasts H7699 (שַׁד) — the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging)
of my mother H517 (אֵם) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
I should find H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
thee without H2351 (חוּץ) — properly, separate by a wall, i.e. outside, outdoors
I would kiss H5401 (נָשַׁק) — to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons
thee; yea, I should not be despised H936 (בּוּז) — to disrespect

² I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, Who would instruct me; I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

I would lead H5090 (נָהַג) — to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (i.e. impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced by…
bring H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
thee into my mother’s H517 (אֵם) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
would instruct H3925 (לָמַד) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive)
me: I would cause thee to drink H8248 (שָׁקָה) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
of spiced H7544 (רֶקַח) — properly, perfumery, i.e. (by implication) spicery (for flavor)
wine H3196 (יַיִן) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
of the juice H6071 (עָסִיס) — must or fresh grape-juice (as just trodden out)
of my pomegranate H7416 (רִמּוֹן) — a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament)

³ His left hand should be under my head, And his right hand should embrace me.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

His left hand H8040 (שְׂמֹאול) — properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
under my head H7218 (רֹאשׁ) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
and his right hand H3225 (יָמִין) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
should embrace H2263 (חָבַק) — to clasp (the hands or in embrace)

⁴ I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

I charge H7650 (שָׁבַע) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
you, O daughters H1323 (בַּת) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
of Jerusalem H3389 (יְרוּשָׁלִַ͏ם) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
that ye stir not up H5782 (עוּר) — to wake (literally or figuratively)
nor awake H5782 (עוּר) — to wake (literally or figuratively)
love H160 (אַהֲבָה)
until he please H2654 (חָפֵץ) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

⁵ 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.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

this that cometh up H5927 (עָלָה) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
from the wilderness H4057 (מִדְבָּר) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs)
leaning H7514 (רָפַק) — to recline
upon her beloved H1730 (דּוֹד) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
I raised H5782 (עוּר) — to wake (literally or figuratively)
thee up under the apple tree H8598 (תַּפּוּחַ) — an apple (from its fragrance), i.e. the fruit or the tree (probably includ. others of the pome order, as the quince, the orange, etc.)
there thy mother H517 (אֵם) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
brought thee forth H2254 (חָבַל) — to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)
there she brought thee forth H2254 (חָבַל) — to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)
bare H3205 (יָלַד) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

⁶ Set me as a seal upon thy heart, As a seal upon thine arm: For love is strong as death; Jealousy is cruel as Sheol; The flashes thereof are flashes of fire, A very flame of Jehovah.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

Set H7760 (שׂוּם) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
me as a seal H2368 (חוֹתָם) — a signature-ring
upon thine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
as a seal H2368 (חוֹתָם) — a signature-ring
upon thine arm H2220 (זְרוֹעַ) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
for love H160 (אַהֲבָה)
strong H5794 (עַז) — strong, vehement, harsh
as death H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
jealousy H7068 (קִנְאָה) — jealousy or envy
cruel H7186 (קָשֶׁה) — severe (in various applications)
as the grave H7585 (שְׁאוֹל) — hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
the coals H7565 (רֶשֶׁף) — a live coal; by analogy lightning; figuratively, an arrow, (as flashing through the air); specifically, fever
coals H7565 (רֶשֶׁף) — a live coal; by analogy lightning; figuratively, an arrow, (as flashing through the air); specifically, fever
of fire H784 (אֵשׁ) — fire (literally or figuratively)
most vehement flame H7957 (שַׁלְהֶבֶת) — a flare of fire

⁷ 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.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

Many H7227 (רַב) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
waters H4325 (מַיִם) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
cannot H3201 (יָכֹל) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
quench H3518 (כָּבָה) — to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)
love H160 (אַהֲבָה)
neither can the floods H5104 (נָהָר) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
drown H7857 (שָׁטַף) — to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer
man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
would give H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
all the substance H1952 (הוֹן) — wealth; by implication, enough
of his house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
for love H160 (אַהֲבָה)
it would utterly H936 (בּוּז) — to disrespect
be contemned H936 (בּוּז) — to disrespect

⁸ We have a little sister, And she hath no breasts: What shall we do for our sister In the day when she shall be spoken for?

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

We have a little H6996 (קָטָן) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
sister H269 (אָחוֹת) — a sister (used very widely [like 251number 250, corrected to 251], literally and figuratively)
and she hath no breasts H7699 (שַׁד) — the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging)
what shall we do H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
for our sister H269 (אָחוֹת) — a sister (used very widely [like 251number 250, corrected to 251], literally and figuratively)
in the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
when she shall be spoken for H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

⁹ If she be a wall, We will build upon her a turret of silver: And if she be a door, We will inclose her with boards of cedar.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

a wall H2346 (חוֹמָה) — a wall of protection
we will build H1129 (בָּנָה) — to build (literally and figuratively)
upon her a palace H2918 (טִירָה) — a wall; hence, a fortress or a hamlet
of silver H3701 (כֶּסֶף) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
a door H1817 (דֶּלֶת) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of a door
we will inclose H6696 (צוּר) — to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)
her with boards H3871 (לוּחַ) — probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
of cedar H730 (אֶרֶז) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

¹⁰ I am a wall, and my breasts like the towers thereof Then was I in his eyes as one that found peace.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

a wall H2346 (חוֹמָה) — a wall of protection
and my breasts H7699 (שַׁד) — the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging)
like towers H4026 (מִגְדָּל) — a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers
then was I in his eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
as one that found H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
favour H7965 (שָׁלוֹם) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace

¹¹ Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He let out the vineyard unto keepers; Every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

Solomon H8010 (שְׁלֹמֹה) — Shelomah, David's successor
had a vineyard H3754 (כֶּרֶם) — a garden or vineyard
at Baal–hamon H1174 (בַּעַל הָמוֹן) — Baal-Hamon, a place in Palestine
he let out H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
the vineyard H3754 (כֶּרֶם) — a garden or vineyard
unto keepers H5201 (נָטַר) — to guard; figuratively, to cherish (anger)
every one H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
for the fruit H6529 (פְּרִי) — fruit (literally or figuratively)
thereof was to bring H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
a thousand H505 (אֶלֶף) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
of silver H3701 (כֶּסֶף) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

¹² My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: Thou, O Solomon, shalt have the thousand, And those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

My vineyard H3754 (כֶּרֶם) — a garden or vineyard
before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
me: thou, O Solomon H8010 (שְׁלֹמֹה) — Shelomah, David's successor
a thousand H505 (אֶלֶף) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
and those that keep H5201 (נָטַר) — to guard; figuratively, to cherish (anger)
the fruit H6529 (פְּרִי) — fruit (literally or figuratively)
thereof two hundred H3967 (מֵאָה) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

¹³ Thou that dwellest in the gardens, The companions hearken for thy voice: Cause me to hear it.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

Thou that dwellest H3427 (יָשַׁב) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
in the gardens H1588 (גַּן) — a garden (as fenced)
the companions H2270 (חָבֵר) — an associate
hearken H7181 (קָשַׁב) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken
to thy voice H6963 (קוֹל) — a voice or sound
cause me to hear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

¹⁴ Make haste, my beloved, And be thou like to a roe or to a young hart Upon the mountains of spices.

Cross references & Strong's

Strong's numbers (from RLT):

Make haste H1272 (בָּרַח) — to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee suddenly
my beloved H1730 (דּוֹד) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
and be thou like H1819 (דָּמָה) — to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
to a roe H6643 (צְבִי) — splendor (as conspicuous)
or to a young H6082 (עֹפֶר) — a fawn (from the dusty color)
hart H354 (אַיָּל) — a stag or male deer
upon the mountains H2022 (הַר) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
of spices H1314 (בֶּשֶׂם) — fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant