Song of Solomon 8:13

“Thou that dwellest in the gardens, etc.] These are the words of Christ to the church, describing her by her habitation, and may be rendered, “O thou, inhabitress of the gardens”f516; the word used being in the feminine gender, which determines the sense of it, as belonging to the church: but the Septuagint version renders it by a word in the masculine gender; and so Ambrosef517, who interprets the words as spoken by the church to Christ; though he observes that Symmachus and Aquila interpret them as the words of Christ to the church. By the “gardens” are meant particular congregations, the dwelling places of the church, and where she has work to do by her ministers, to plant, water, prune,…”

“The poem having opened with the song of a chorus in praise of the king Song of Solomon 1:2-4, concludes with a versicle recited by the bride, repeating the last words of her former strain Song of Solomon 2:17, with one significant change. She no longer thinks of the possibility of separation. The “Mountains of Bether” (division) of Song of Solomon 2:17, are now “Mountains of Besamim” (spices). His haunts and hers are henceforth the same (compare Song of Solomon 4:6). return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Song of Solomon 8". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible".…”

“Thou - Christ speaks here to his spouse. The gardens - Not in the wilderness of the world, but in the church, the garden of God. He saith, gardens, because of the many particular congregations, into which the church is divided. Companions - The friends of the bride and bridegroom. Hearken - Diligently observe all thy words towards me. Cause me - When I am gone from thee, let me hear thy prayers, and praises, and the preaching of my gospel in the world. Song of Solomon (Canticles) 8:14”

“8:13 The scene has changed from that of the lease payment to the more familiar and pleasant gardens. • your companions: It appears that the wife may be talking with her friends. Her man is gently jealous and wants her to himself.”

“dwellest: Sol 2:13, Sol 4:16, Sol 6:2, Sol 6:11, Sol 7:11, Sol 7:12; Mat 18:20, Mat 28:20; Joh 14:21-23 the companions: Sol 1:7, Sol 3:7-11, Sol 5:9-16; Jdg 11:38, Jdg 14:11; Psa 45:14 cause: Sol 2:14; Psa 50:15; Joh 14:13, Joh 14:14, Joh 15:7, Joh 16:24 Song of Solomon (Canticles) 8:14”

“The king who seems to this point to have silently looked on in inmost sympathy, now, on being addressed by Shulamith, takes speech in hand; he does not expressly refer to her request, but one perceives from his words that he heard it with pleasure. He expresses to her the wish that she would gratify the companions of her youth who were assembled around her, as well as himself, with a song, such as in former times she was wont to sing in these mountains and valleys. 13 O thou (who art) at home in the gardens, Companions are listening for thy voice; Let me hear! We observe that in the rural paradise with which she is surrounded, she finds herself in her element. It is a primary feature of her…”