Song of Solomon Chapter 8

“O that thou [wert] as my brother, etc.] Or, “who will give thee as a brother to me?”f475 an usual form of wishing, (<050529>Deuteronomy 5:29 <182302> Job 23:2) (<191407>Psalm 14:7). The church here not only requests that Christ would be like a brother to her, but appear to be really one, and to act the part of one towards her; with whom she might as freely converse as brother and sister may. Several Jewishf476 writers own, that the King Messiah is intended here; and in such a relation Christ does stand to his church and people, by virtue of his incarnation, (<580211>Hebrews 2:11,14,17); hence many of the ancients…”

“He had been a brother already. Why, then, this prayer here? It refers to the time after His resurrection, when the previous outward intimacy with Him was no longer allowed, but it was implied it should be renewed at the second coming (Joh 20:17). For this the Church here prays; meanwhile she enjoys inward spiritual communion with Him. The last who ever "kissed" Jesus Christ on earth was the traitor Judas. The bride's return with the King to her mother's house answers to Act 8:25, after the mission to Samaria. The rest spoken of (Sol 8:4) answers to Act 9:31. that sucked . . . mother--a brother born of the same…”

“Royal rank and splendor are grown wearisome. The king once called her “sister” and “sister-bride.” Would he were indeed as a “brother,” her mother’s own child whom she might meet, embrace, and welcome everywhere without restraint or shame. Her love for him is simple, sacred, pure, free from the unrest and the stains of mere earthly passion. return to 'Top of Page'”

“O that - The church here expresses her desire of a stricter union, and closer communion with Christ. Without - In the open streets. Song of Solomon (Canticles) 8:2”

“8:1-4 The woman expresses her desire to be with the man and in his embrace. 8:1 If he were her brother she could kiss him publicly; romantic kisses were not appropriate in public, but kisses between blood relatives were acceptable.”

“that thou: Isa 7:14, Isa 9:6; Hag 2:7; Zac 9:9; Mal 3:1; Mat 13:16, Mat 13:17; Luk 2:26-32, Luk 2:38, Luk 10:23, Luk 10:24; Ti1 3:16; Heb 2:11, Heb 2:12 sucked: Isa 66:11, Isa 66:12; Gal 4:26 find thee: Joh 1:14, Joh 3:13, Joh 8:42, Joh 13:3, Joh 16:28; Heb 2:9-14, Heb 9:26-28 I would: Sol 1:2; Psa 2:12, Psa 45:10, Psa 45:11; Luk 7:45-48, Luk 9:26, Luk 12:8; Joh 7:46-52; Joh 9:25-38; Gal 6:14; Phi 3:3, Phi 3:7, Phi 3:8 yea: Psa 51:17, Psa 102:16, Psa 102:17; Mar 12:42-44, Mar 14:6-9 I should not be despised: Heb. they should not despise me, Isa 60:14; Luk 10:16, Luk 18:9; Co1 1:28 Song of Solomon (Canticles) 8:2”

“If Solomon now complies with her request, yields to her invitation, then she will again see her parental home, where, in the days of her first love, she laid up for him that which was most precious, that she might thereby give him joy. Since she thus places herself with her whole soul back again in her home and amid its associations, the wish expressed in these words that follow rises up within her in the childlike purity of her love: 1 O that thou wert like a brother to me, Who sucked my mother's breasts! If I found thee without, I would kiss thee; They also could not despise me. 2 I would lead thee, bring thee…”