What does Song of Solomon 8:8 mean?
"¶ 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?" - Song of Solomon 8:8
The verse Song of Solomon 8:8 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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?"
This verse comes from the Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, which is a poetic book in the Old Testament. The book is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, and it is a celebration of love and desire between a man and a woman. The verse in question is spoken by the Beloved, who is yearning for the wellbeing and happiness of her "little sister."
The Song of Solomon is a deeply symbolic and allegorical book, and it is often interpreted as a representation of the love between God and his people, or between Christ and the church. However, it can also be read as a celebration of human love and sexuality. The verse Song of Solomon 8:8 fits into this theme as it addresses the concerns and responsibilities that come with caring for a younger sibling.
In this particular verse, the Beloved is expressing concern for her younger sister's well-being. The mention of the sister's lack of breasts may seem puzzling to modern readers, but in the cultural context of ancient Israel, physical maturity symbolized readiness for marriage and the responsibilities that came with it. The Beloved is therefore expressing concern for her sister's readiness for adulthood and marriage.
The verse can also be understood in a broader sense, as a metaphor for the responsibilities and challenges of caring for and guiding a younger, less experienced person. This could apply to family relationships, or to mentorship and guidance in a broader sense.
The verse also raises questions about the role and responsibility of the community in ensuring the wellbeing and readiness of its members for adulthood and marriage. It speaks to the importance of looking out for one another and providing support and guidance, particularly for those who are younger or less experienced.
Symbolically, the verse can be seen as a reflection of the Beloved's concern for the younger generation, and her desire to ensure that they are equipped to navigate the challenges and responsibilities of adulthood and relationships. This can be seen as an expression of deep love and care for the younger sister, and a recognition of the importance of preparing and supporting the next generation.
Overall, Song of Solomon 8:8 is a verse that addresses themes of responsibility, care, and support for the younger members of the community. It can be interpreted as a reflection of the Beloved's concern for her sister's readiness for marriage, but it also speaks to broader themes of mentorship, guidance, and the importance of community care and support. As with much of the Song of Solomon, this verse offers a rich and multi-layered exploration of love, relationships, and the responsibilities that come with them.
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Song of Solomon 8:8 - "¶ 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?"
"¶ 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?" - Song of Solomon 8:8
Song of Solomon 6:8 - "There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number."
Song of Solomon 8:13 - "Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it."
Song of Solomon 8:12 - "My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred."
Song of Solomon 8:14 - "¶ Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices."
Song of Solomon 8:11 - "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."
Song of Solomon 2:8 - "¶ The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills."
Song of Solomon 8:3 - "His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me."
Song of Solomon 8:10 - "I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour."
Song of Solomon 8:9 - "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."
"There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number." - Song of Solomon 6:8
Song of Solomon 8:4 - "I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please."
Song of Solomon 5:8 - "I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love."
Song of Solomon 3:8 - "They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night."
Song of Solomon 1:8 - "¶ If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents."
"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." - Song of Solomon 8:7
Song of Solomon 8:7 - "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."
"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame." - Song of Solomon 8:6
Song of Solomon 4:8 - "¶ Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards."
"Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it." - Song of Solomon 8:13
Song of Solomon 8:2 - "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."
Song of Solomon 8:1 - "O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised."
Song of Solomon 7:8 - "I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;"
Song of Solomon 8:6 - "¶ Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame."
"¶ The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills." - Song of Solomon 2:8
"¶ Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices." - Song of Solomon 8:14
Song of Solomon 8:5 - "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee."
"My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred." - Song of Solomon 8:12
"I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour." - Song of Solomon 8:10