Song of Songs 8:9

Song of Songs 8:9 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (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.
• English Standard Version (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.
• New King James Version (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.

Context of Song of Songs 8:9

7Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can rivers drown it. If a man would offer all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly scorned and despised.” 8“We have a little sister And she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for [in marriage]? If she is a wall (discreet, womanly), We will build on her a turret (dowry) of silver; But if she is a door (bold, flirtatious), We will enclose her with planks of cedar.” 10“I was a wall, and my breasts were like the towers. Then I became in the king’s eyes As one [to be respected and allowed] to find peace. 11Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He entrusted the vineyard to caretakers; Each one was to bring him a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.

Song of Songs 8:9 word by word

אִם־חוֹמָ֣ה הִ֔יא נִבְנֶ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ טִ֣ירַת כָּ֑סֶף וְאִם־דֶּ֣לֶת הִ֔יא נָצ֥וּר עָלֶ֖יהָ ל֥וּחַ אָֽרֶז׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• a wallחוֹמָהchômâh · wallH2346
• we will buildבָּנָהbânâh · to buildH1129
• upon her a palaceטִירָהţîyrâh · encampmentH2918
• of silverכֶּ֫סֶףkeseph · silver: moneyH3701
• a doorדֶּ֫לֶתdeleth · doorH1817
• we will incloseצוּרtsûr · to confineH6696
• her with boardsלוּחַlûach lûach · tabletH3871
• of cedarאֶ֫רֶז'erez · cedarH730

Commentaries on Song of Songs 8:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9If she be a wall - All these expressions, says Calmet, show that it was necessary to provide a husband for this young sister. For a woman without a husband is like a wall without towers, and without defense; is like a gate or door without bar or lock; and like a city without walls. They must therefore provide for their sister a rich, powerful, and illustrious man; qualities here figured by towers or palaces of silver, and doors of cedar. As it is…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-12Verses 8-12 The church pleads for the Gentiles, who then had not the word of God, nor the means of grace. Those who are brought to Christ themselves, should contrive what they may do to help others to him. Babes in Christ are always seen among Christians, and the welfare of their weak brethren is an object of continual prayer with the stronger believers. If the beginning of this work were likened to a wall built upon Him the precious Foundation and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9wall: This term has two metaphorical meanings: A young girl's chest is flat like a wall (see Song of Solomon 8:10) Until marriage, she should remain abstinent and strong like a wall build a tower of silver upon her: Towers served as lookouts to protect the city; a silver one would be more noticeable and strong. If the woman is already a wall, having kept her virginity, they will honor and support her decision. On the other hand, a swinging door suggests…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. wall ... door--the very terms employed as to the Gentile question (Ac 14:27; Ep 2:14). If she be a wall in Zion, founded on Jesus Christ (1Co 3:11), we will not "withstand God" (Ac 11:17; 15:8-11). But if so, we must not "build" (Ac 15:14-17) on her "wood, hay, stubble" (1Co 3:12), that is, Jewish rites, &c., but "a palace of silver," that is, all the highest privileges of church communion (Ga 2:11-18; Ep 2:11-22). Image from the splendid turrets…Read the comment
• Rashi on Tanakh · v. 9If she be a wall If she is strong in her faith and in her fear [of God], to be against them like a copper wall, that they should not enter her midst, meaning that she will not intermarry with them, and they will not come into her, and she will not be seduced by them.Read the comment

Topics related to Song of Songs 8:9

• Silver

In the dictionaries

• Board
• Cedar
• Song of Songs

Commentaries on Song of Songs 8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary