Song of Songs 3:8

Song of Songs 3:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.
• New International Version (NIV)all of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night.
• English Standard Version (ESV)all of them wearing swords and expert in war, each with his sword at his thigh, against terror by night.
• New Living Translation (NLT)They are all skilled swordsmen, experienced warriors. Each wears a sword on his thigh, ready to defend the king against an attack in the night.

Context of Song of Songs 3:8

6Who is this coming out of the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the merchant’s fragrant powders? 7Behold, it is Solomon’s couch, With sixty valiant men around it, Of the valiant of Israel. They all hold swords, Being expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh Because of fear in the night. 9Of the wood of Lebanon Solomon the King Made himself a palanquin: 10He made its pillars of silver, Its support of gold, Its seat of purple, Its interior paved with love By the daughters of Jerusalem.

Song of Songs 3:8 word by word

כֻּלָּם֙ אֲחֻ֣זֵי חֶ֔רֶב מְלֻמְּדֵ֖י מִלְחָמָ֑ה אִ֤ישׁ חַרְבּוֹ֙ עַל־יְרֵכ֔וֹ מִפַּ֖חַד בַּלֵּילּֽוֹת׃ סRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• They all holdאָחַז'âchaz · to graspH270
• swordsחֶ֫רֶבchereb · swordH2719
• expertלָמַדlâmad · to learn: teachH3925
• in warמִלְחָמָהmilchâmâh · battleH4421
• every manאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
• upon his thighיָרֵךְyârêk · thighH3409
• because of fearפַּ֫חַדpachad · dreadH6343
• in the nightלַ֫יְלָהlayil lêyl layelâh · nightH3915

Commentaries on Song of Songs 3:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8They all hold swords - They are swordsmen. Every man has a sword, and is well instructed how to use it.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-11Verses 6-11 A wilderness is an emblem of the world; the believer comes out of it when he is delivered from the love of its sinful pleasures and pursuits, and refuses to comply with its customs and fashions, to seek happiness in communion with the Saviour. A poor soul shall come up, at last, under the conduct of the Comforter; like a cloud of incense ascending from the altar, or the smoke of the burnt-offerings. This signifies pious and devout affections…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6-11In the three-character dramatic interpretation, Solomon's humility and generosity are evident when he attends a wedding of a woman who chose a common shepherd's love over his. With Solomon there, this ordinary wedding becomes a grand ceremony. If the Song is an anthology, this poem seems to describe Solomon's wedding procession. People are amazed by the luxury of his carriage and the power of his entourage. This reflects the importance of marriage…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. hold--not actually grasping them, but having them girt on the thigh ready for use, like their Lord (Psa 45:3). So believers too are guarded by angels (Psa 91:11; He 1:14), and they themselves need "every man" (Ne 4:18) to be armed (Psa 144:1, 2; 2Co 10:4; Ep 6:12, 17; 1Ti 6:12), and "expert" (2Co 2:11). because of fear in the night--Arab marauders often turn a wedding into mourning by a night attack. So the bridal procession of saints in the night of…Read the comment
• Rashi on Tanakh · v. 8skilled in warfare the war of Torah, and similarly, the priests who surround it, who camp around the Tabernacle, skilled in the order of their service.Read the comment

Topics related to Song of Songs 3:8

• Bed

In the dictionaries

• Hold
• Handle

Commentaries on Song of Songs 3

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary