Song of Solomon 4:8-9

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Song of Solomon 4:8

8. Invitation to her to leave the border mountains (the highest worldly elevation) between the hostile lands north of Palestine and the Promised Land (Psalms 45:10; Philippians 3:13). Amana—south of Anti-Libanus; the river Abana, or Amana, was near Damascus (Philippians 3:13- :). Shenir—The whole mountain was called Hermon; the part held by the Sidonians was called Sirion; the part held by the Amorites, Shenir (Deuteronomy 3:9). Infested by the devouring lion and the stealthy and swift leopard... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Song of Solomon 4:9

9. sister . . . spouse—This title is here first used, as He is soon about to institute the Supper, the pledge of the nuptial union. By the term "sister," carnal ideas are excluded; the ardor of a spouse's love is combined with the purity of a sister's ( :-; compare Mark 3:35). one—Even one look is enough to secure His love (Zechariah 12:10; Luke 23:40-43). Not merely the Church collectively, but each one member of it (Matthew 18:10; Matthew 18:14; Luke 15:7; Luke 15:24; Luke 15:32).... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Song of Solomon 4:1-16

Description of her Charms. Her Invitation1-7. This short poem belongs to the class which the Arabs call wasf, in which the bride's charms are described: they are sung while she is being dressed, or when she exhibits herself in her nuptial array, or on the day subsequent to the ceremony. Here is one that is still to be heard in Palestine:'Oh, her eyes are like the hue of ink drawn by the stylus,And her hair, when she dyed it with henna, like birds'feathers;Her nose as the handle of a ghttering... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Song of Solomon 4:8

(8) Come with me.—Better, to me. LXX., hither; so Vulg. and Luther, reading athî, imperative of athah, instead of ittî = with me, or more properly, as regards me. The reading involved only a difference of vowel points, and is to be preferred. We have here another reminiscence of the obstacles which had attended the union of the pair under another figure. The course of true love, which never yet, in East or West, ran smooth, is beset here by tremendous difficulties, symbolised by the rocks and... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Song of Solomon 4:9

(9) Ravished.—Marg., taken away, whereas many (including Herder, Ewald, &c) give an exactly opposite sense: “thou hast given me heart, emboldened me.” The literal, “thou hast hearted (libabtinî) me,” if we can so say, may mean either; the language of love would approve either stolen my heart or given me thine. But the reference to “chain”—anak (a form occurring also in Judges 8:26; Proverbs 1:9) seems to confirm the rendering of the Authorised Version. His heart has been caught, the poet... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Song of Solomon 4:1-16

Solomon's Garden Song of Solomon 4:12-14 There is one advantage in speaking about a garden the preacher at once enlists the interest of his hearers. The love of plants and flowers is almost universal. Our greatest English essayists have written upon gardens. The father of inductive philosophy had an intense love for the beauties of nature. He says: 'God Almighty first planted a garden; and indeed it is the purest of pleasures'. Abraham Cowley, when dedicating his poem, 'The Garden,' to John... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 4:1-16

TRUE LOVE TESTEDSong of Solomon 1:1-17; Song of Solomon 2:1-17; Song of Solomon 3:1-11; Song of Solomon 4:1-16; Song of Solomon 5:1THE poem opens with a scene in Solomon’s palace. A country maiden has just been introduced to the royal harem. The situation is painful enough in itself, for the poor, shy girl is experiencing the miserable loneliness of finding herself in an unsympathetic crowd. But that is not all. She is at once the object of general observation; every eye is turned towards her;... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Song of Solomon 4:1-16

CHAPTER 4 The King, the Bridegroom speaks of her, who is “perfect through His comeliness put upon thee” Ezekiel 16:14 . He tells out all she is in His sight and loving estimation. He has called her from the lions’ den, from the mountains of the leopards (Song of Solomon 4:8 ); she has passed through the fires of persecution and tribulation and now His heart expresses His delight in her. There are eight descriptions of her beauty. He tells her, “Behold thou art fair, my love, behold thou art... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Song of Solomon 4:8

4:8 {d} 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.(d) Christ promises his Church to call his faithful from all the corners of the world. read more