Song of Solomon 8:8-12
Summary for Song 8:8-10: 8:8-10 a In the midst of a passionate exchange of romantic compliments and commitments, here again is strong praise for sexual abstinence until marriage. 8:8 b We have a little sister: The wife’s brothers express concern for their sister’s chastity. According to ancient Near Eastern custom, they are the protectors of their sister’s sexuality until her marriage.8:9 c wall: There appear to be two metaphorical meanings for this term: (1) The prepubescent girl’s chest is like a wall (see 8:10 d); and (2) until she is married, she should be abstinent, impenetrable like a wall.
• protect her with a silver tower: Towers were used as lookouts for protecting the city; a silver one would be more prominent and impregnable. If the woman is already a wall, having kept her virginity, they will honor and reinforce her resolve.
• On the other hand, a swinging door indicates promiscuity. The brothers will force her to restrain herself.
8:10 e I was a virgin, like a wall: The woman affirms that she was chaste in preparation for marriage.
• now ... like towers: The woman describes herself in the language of desirability (cp. 4:4 f; 7:4 g, 8 h) and challenges her brothers’ perception of her as immature.
Summary for Song 8:11-14: 8:11-14 i In the dramatic view, the wife’s dilemma concerning the vineyard of 1:6 j is finally resolved: She has managed to bring in the lease money from her vineyard in Baal-hamon, so she can pay Solomon and her hired harvesters.
• If the passage is purely poetic, its main message is that love may not be bought, even by a powerful king like Solomon. 8:11 k Baal-hamon is not otherwise mentioned in the Bible. However “Balamon” occurs in later literature as a place in northern Israel; it may be the same place.
• a thousand pieces of silver (Hebrew 1,000 [shekels] of silver): There are different denominations of shekels in the Old Testament, so the exact price cannot be determined, but the vineyard was a large one.
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