Song of Solomon – Chapter 8

Old Testament14 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Who shall give thee to me for my brother, sucking the breasts of my mother, that I may find thee without, and kiss thee, and now no man may…" — so begins Song of Solomon 8. Across its 14 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and love and charity. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Who shall give thee to me for my brother, sucking the breasts of my mother, that I may find thee without, and kiss thee, and now no man may despise me?

2I will take hold of thee, and bring thee into my mother's house: there thou shalt teach me, and I will give thee a cup of spiced wine and new wine of my pomegranates.

3His left hand under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me.

4I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you stir not up, nor awake my love till she please.

5Who is this that cometh up from the desert, flowing with delights, leaning upon her beloved? Under the apple tree I raised thee up: there thy mother was corrupted, there she was defloured that bore thee.

6Put me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy as hard as hell, the lamps thereof are fire and flames.

7Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can the floods drown it: if a man should give all the substance of his house for love, he shall despise it as nothing.

8Our sister is little, and hath no breasts. What shall we do to our sister in the day when she is to be spoken to?

9If she be a wall: let us build upon it bulwarks of silver: if she be a door, let us join it together with boards of cedar.

10I am a wall: and my breasts are as a tower since I am become in his presence as one finding peace.

11The peaceable had a vineyard, in that which hath people: he let out the same to keepers, every man bringeth for the fruit thereof a thousand pieces of silver.

12My vineyard is before me. A thousand are for thee, the peaceable, and two hundred for them that keep the fruit thereof.

13Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the friends hearken: make me hear thy voice.

14Flee away, O my beloved, and be like to the roe, and to the young hart upon the mountains of aromatical spices.

Important Verses in Song of Solomon 8

Who shall give thee to me for my brother, sucking the breasts of my mother, that I may find thee without, and kiss thee, and now no man may despise me?

Song of Solomon 8:1

Who is this that cometh up from the desert, flowing with delights, leaning upon her beloved? Under the apple tree I raised thee up: there thy mother was corrupted, there she was defloured that bore thee.

Song of Solomon 8:5

I am a wall: and my breasts are as a tower since I am become in his presence as one finding peace.

Song of Solomon 8:10

Flee away, O my beloved, and be like to the roe, and to the young hart upon the mountains of aromatical spices.

Song of Solomon 8:14

Historical Context

Song of Solomon addresses israel and the Church, invited into covenant intimacy with God within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 8 of 8 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 14 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "Who shall give thee to me for my brother, sucking the breasts of my mother, that I may find thee without, and kiss…" The chapter ends with: "Flee away, O my beloved, and be like to the roe, and to the young hart upon the mountains of aromatical spices. " The wider setting of Song of Solomon is this: The Song of Songs is a poem of spousal love between bride and bridegroom. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Traditionally linked to Solomon (10th century BC); final form possibly after the exile.

Who Wrote It

Attributed to Solomon

When It Was Written

Traditionally linked to Solomon (10th century BC); final form possibly after the exile

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Song of Solomon 8 unfolds through 14 verses that carry forward the message of divine love expressed through spousal imagery. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Who shall give thee to me for my brother, sucking the breasts of my mother, that I may find thee without, and kiss thee, and now no man may despise me?" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Song of Solomon 8 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees this as an allegory of Christ's love for the Church (CIC 1602). St. Cyril of Alexandria and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 74).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God's love is passionate and faithful. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Song of Solomon 8 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Song of Solomon Chapter 8 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Song of Solomon Chapter 8. At the moral level, stewardship of creation challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 1988).

As you continue through Song of Solomon, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Song of Solomon Chapter 8 about?

Song of Solomon 8 contains 14 verses. It opens with "Who shall give thee to me for my brother, sucking the breasts of my mother, that I may find thee without, and kiss…" and closes with "Flee away, O my beloved, and be like to the roe, and to the young hart upon the mountains of aromatical spices. ". The book as a whole is lyric love poetry.

What is a key verse in Song of Solomon 8?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Who shall give thee to me for my brother, sucking the breasts of my mother, that I may find thee without, and kiss thee, and now no man may despise me?" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Song of Solomon and when?

Attributed to Solomon. Traditionally linked to Solomon (10th century BC); final form possibly after the exile.

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