Song of Solomon 8:9

“If she [be] a wall, etc.] Built upon a sure foundation; and firmly established in her faith on Christ, and love to him; and is constant therein, and stands as a wall against the attacks of enemiesf509; we will build upon her a palace of silver; though at first but as a side wall, yet should become a complete habitation, even a palace for Christ, the King of kings, and, being designed for so illustrious an inhabitant, should be a “silver” one, denoting its worth, value, and splendour; the builders of it are the church and her ministers; though Christ is the principal builder, (<380612>Zechariah 6:12,15 <19C701>Psalm 127:1). Or, “a tower of silver”f510, signifying, that she should be well…”

“A brief dialogue commencing with a question and answer probably made by brothers of the bride concerning a younger sister who will soon be old enough to be asked in marriage. The answer is given in the form of a parable: “If she be a wall,” i. e., stedfast in chastity and virtue, one on whom no light advances can be made, then let us honor and reward her. This fortress-wall shall be crowned as it were with a tower or battlement of silver. But “if she be a door,” light-minded and accessible to seduction Proverbs 7:11-12, then let us provide against assailants the protection of a cedar bar or panel. Song of Solomon 8:10 The bride herself replies with the pride of innocence and virtue already…”

“If - This seems to be Christ's answer to the foregoing question of the Jewish church. Christ engages himself to provide for her, as suits best with her condition. If the Gentiles when they are converted shall be like a wall, strong and firm in faith; We, my Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost, as the principal builders, and my ministers as workers with, and under us, will build upon her a palace of silver, will add more strength and beauty to her, will enlarge and adorn her; and if she be as a door, which is weaker than a wall; if she be weak in faith, yet we will not therefore reject her, but we will inclose or (as many others render the word) strengthen or fortify her with boards of cedar,…”

“8:9 wall: There appear to be two metaphorical meanings for this term: (1) The prepubescent girl’s chest is like a wall (see 8:10); and (2) until she is married, she should be abstinent, impenetrable like a wall. • protect her with a silver tower: Towers were used as lookouts for protecting the city; a silver one would be more prominent and impregnable. If the woman is already a wall, having kept her virginity, they will honor and reinforce her resolve. • On the other hand, a swinging door indicates promiscuity. The brothers will force her to restrain herself.”

“a wall: Sol 2:9; Rev 21:12-19 we will: Isa 58:12, Isa 60:17, Isa 61:4; Zac 6:12-15; Mat 16:18; Act 15:16; Co1 3:10-12; Eph 2:20-22 a door: Act 14:27 Song of Solomon (Canticles) 8:10”

“9 If she be a wall, We will build upon her a pinnacle of silver; And if she be a door, We will block her up with a board of cedar-wood. The brothers are the nearest guardians and counsellors of the sister, and, particularly in the matter of marriage, have the precedence even of the father and mother, Gen 24:50, Gen 24:55; Gen 34:6-8.. They suppose two cases which stand in contrast to each other, and announce their purpose with reference to each case. Hoelem. here affects a synonymous instead of the antithetic parallelism; for he maintains that אם (ואם) ... אם nowhere denotes a contrast, but, like sive ... sive, essential indifference. But examples such as Deu 18:3 (sive bovem, sive ovem) are…”