1. quis mihi det te fratrem meum sugentem ubera matris meæ ut inveniam te foris et deosculer et jam me nemo despiciat
2. adprehendam te et ducam in domum matris meæ ibi me docebis et dabo tibi poculum ex vino condito et mustum malorum granatorum meorum
3. leva ejus sub capite meo et dextera illius amplexabitur me
4. adiuro vos filiæ Hierusalem ne suscitetis et evigilare faciatis dilectam donec ipsa velit
5. quæ est ista quæ ascendit de deserto deliciis affluens et nixa super dilectum suum sub arbore malo suscitavi te ibi corrupta est mater tua ibi violata est genetrix tua
6. pone me ut signaculum super cor tuum ut signaculum super brachium tuum quia fortis est ut mors dilectio dura sicut inferus æmulatio lampades ejus lampades ignis atque flammarum
7. aquæ multæ non poterunt extinguere caritatem nec flumina obruent illam si dederit homo omnem substantiam domus suæ pro dilectione quasi nihil despicient eum
8. soror nostra parva et ubera non habet quid faciemus sorori nostræ in die quando adloquenda est
9. si murus est ædificemus super eum propugnacula argentea si ostium est conpingamus illud tabulis cedrinis
10. ego murus et ubera mea sicut turris ex quo facta sum coram eo quasi pacem repperiens
11. vinea fuit Pacifico in ea quæ habet populos tradidit eam custodibus vir adfert pro fructu ejus mille argenteos
12. vinea mea coram me est mille tui Pacifice et ducenti his qui custodiunt fructus ejus
13. quæ habitas in hortis amici auscultant fac me audire vocem tuam
14. fuge dilecte mi et adsimilare capreæ hinuloque cervorum super montes aromatum
Footnotes:
8:1-2 - The bride expresses her desire to be close to the groom, reflecting the intense love and intimacy in their relationship. This connection is a reflection of the love between God and His people (see also Psalm 63:1-3 and James 4:8).
8:3-4 - The bride desires to protect and strengthen love, emphasizing the importance of purity and fidelity. The admonition not to arouse love until desired emphasizes the value of patience in love (see also 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and Hebrews 13:4).
8:5-7 - The bride and groom discuss the challenges of love and the strength it brings. Love is described as powerful and invincible, reinforcing the idea that true love overcomes obstacles (see also Romans 8:38-39 and 1 Peter 4:8).
8:8-9 - The bride's concern for her family and her position highlights the importance of love in the family context. The imagery of protective love is central to this passage (see also Ephesians 6:4 and 1 Timothy 5:8).
8:10-14 - The bride's desire to be recognized as belonging to the groom is an expression of commitment and security in love. The song's conclusion reflects the invitation to continue the loving relationship (see also Song of Solomon 4:16 and Revelation 22:17).
Verses related to Canticum Canticorum, 8:
Songs chapter 8 concludes the poem with deep reflections on love. What eternal truths about love are revealed? This powerful text compares love to death in strength, highlighting its inextinguishable nature. The chapter also covers topics such as protecting purity, the value of true love, and relationship maturation. Songs 8 offers a vision of love that transcends the romantic, pointing to divine love. Ponder with us five biblical passages that echo the timeless truths of this culminating chapter.
Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord." - This passage echoes the statement about the power of love in Song of Songs 8:6-7.
1 John 4:18: "In love there is no fear; on the contrary, perfect love expels fear, because fear presupposes punishment. He who is afraid is not perfected in love." - This verse reflects the assurance and confidence in love expressed in Song of Songs 8.
Proverbs 30:18-19: "There are three things too mysterious for me, four that I cannot understand: the way of the vulture in the sky, the way of the serpent on the rock, the way of the ship on the high seas, and the way of the man with a girl." - These proverbs reflect the mystery and wonder of love expressed in Song of Songs 8.
Hosea 2:19-20: "I will make her my bride forever; I will make her my bride with justice and righteousness, with love and compassion. I will make her my bride in faithfulness, and she will acknowledge the Lord." - Hosea uses the language of marital love, similar to that of the Song of Songs, to describe God's relationship with Israel.
Matthew 22:37-39: "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is similar to it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Jesus summarizes the commandments in terms of love, echoing the centrality of love in Song of Songs.
FAQ:
What does the beloved desire in Song of Solomon 8?
The beloved expresses the desire that her love be lasting and strong, comparing it to death, something final and immutable, symbolizing the depth of her love. (Song of Solomon 8:6)
What is the metaphor used to describe love in Song of Solomon 8?
Love is compared to fire, intense and powerful, which cannot be quenched, reflecting the burning and uncontrollable love between the bridegroom and his beloved. (Song of Solomon 8:6-7)
How is the couple's relationship described in Song of Solomon 8?
The relationship is described as one of complete trust and passion, with both giving themselves completely to each other, without restrictions. (Song of Solomon 8:1-4)
What does the "fertile field" mean in Song of Solomon 8?
The "fertile field" symbolizes the beloved as a place of growth and bounty, representing the fertility of love and the potential for life. (Song of Solomon 8:12)
What does the beloved ask of the groom in Song of Solomon 8?
The beloved asks her fiancé never to leave her, for she wants their love to be constant and lasting, emphasizing the desire for eternal union. (Song of Solomon 8:7-8)
