Attributed commentary excerpt
Barnes' Notes on Song of Solomon 8:6
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Notes on the Whole Bible
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · 19th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
The bride says this as she clings to his arm and rests her head upon his bosom. Compare John 13:23; John 21:20. This brief dialogue corresponds to the longer one Song of Solomon 4:7-1, on the day of their espousals. Allegorical interpreters find a fulfillment of this in the close of the present dispensation, the restoration of Israel to the land of promise, and the manifestation of Messiah to His ancient people there, or His Second Advent to the Church. The Targum makes Song of Solomon 8:6 a prayer of Israel restored to the holy land that they may never again be carried into captivity, and Song of Solomon 8:7 the Lord’s answering assurance that Israel henceforth is safe. Compare Isaiah 65:24; Isaiah 62:3-4. Song of Solomon 8:6 The key-note of the poem. It forms the Old Testament counterpart to Paul’s panegyric 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 under the New. (a) Love is here regarded as an universal power, an elemental principle of all true being, alone able to cope with the two eternal foes of God and man, Death and his kingdom. “For strong as death is love, Tenacious as Sheol is jealousy.” “Jealousy” is here another term for “love,” expressing the inexorable force and ardor of this affection, which can neither yield nor share possession of its object, and is identified in the mind of the sacred writer with divine or true life. (b) He goes on to describe it as an all-pervading Fire, kindled by the Eternal One, and partaking of His essence: “Its brands are brands of fire, A lightning-flash from Jah.” Compare Deuteronomy 4:24. (c) This divine principle is next represented as overcoming in its might all opposing agencies whatsoever, symbolized by water. (d) From all which it follows that love, even as a human affection, must be reverenced, and dealt with so as not to be bought by aught of different nature; the attempt to do this awakening only scorn. return to 'Top of Page'
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