SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:1
¶ ¡Oh quién te me diese como hermano que mamó los pechos de mi madre; de modo que te halle yo fuera, y te bese, y no me menosprecien!
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 8:1
Verse 1. O that thou wert as my brother - The bride, fearing that her fondness for her spouse might be construed into too great a familiarity, wishes that he were her little brother; and then she might treat him in the most affectionate manner, and kiss him even in the streets without suspicion, and without giving offense to any one.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. O that thou [wert] as my brother , etc.] Or, “who will give thee as a brother to me?” an usual form of wishing, ( Deuteronomy 5:29 Job 23:2) ( 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 Jewish 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, ( Hebrews 2:11,14,17); hence many of the ancients take this to be a wish of the Jewish church, for the coming of Christ in the flesh; and also through their adoption, he and they having one Father, ( John 20:17); and by being of a like nature, disposition, and practice, ( Matthew 12:50 Romans 8:29); as well as on the score of love and friendship, ( Proverbs 18:24); and this relation Christ fills up, by the intimacy and familiarity he uses them with; by his compassion on them, and sympathy with them, in all their afflictions; by the help, aid, and relief, he gives them; by his condescension to their weaknesses, and by his great love and affection for them. As a further description of him as a brother, it is added, that sucked the breasts of my mother ; which may denote the truth and reality of Christ’s incarnation, being a sucking infant: and the near relation of Christ to his people, being a brother by the mother’s side, reckoned the nearest, and their affection to each other the strongest: by her “mother” may be meant Jerusalem above, the mother of us all; and, by her “breasts”, the ordinances, of which Christ, as man, partook when on earth, and now may be said to suck, as formed in the hearts of his people; [when] I should find thee without ; or, “in the street” f477 ; in public ordinances, where Christ is to be found; or outside of Judea, in the Gentile world, where, after his coming in the flesh, his Gospel was preached, the ordinances administered, and he was there to be found; or in the most public place and manner, where she should not be ashamed to own him, his truths and ordinances, before men; I would kiss thee ; not only with a kiss of approbation, ( Proverbs 24:16); but of love and affection, of faith and confidence, of homage and subjection, of worship and adoration; (see Psalm 2:12); this is an usage with relations and friends, brothers and sisters, at meeting; hence Heunischius refers this to the time when the saints shall meet Christ in the clouds, who will be admitted to the nearest embraces of him, with unspeakable pleasure, and enjoy him to all eternity; yea, I should not be despised ; for taking such freedom with Christ, her brother. Or, “they would not despise me” f478 ; neither men nor angels, for such an action, and still less God, the Father, Son, and Spirit; which she might conclude from the relation between them, it being no more unseemly than for a sister to use such freedom with an own brother, even in the street; and from the reception she had reason to believe she should meet with from Christ: who would not turn away his face from her, when she offered to kiss him, which would occasion shame and blushing. The whole expresses her boldness in professing Christ, without fear or shame, in the most public manner.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Desire for communion with Christ. (Song 8:1-4) The vehemence of thi desire. (Song 8:5-7) The church pleads for others. (Song 8:8-12) An prays for Christ's coming. (Song 8:13,14) Song 8:1-4 The church wishes for the constant intimacy and freedom with the Lord Jesus that a sister has with a brother. That they might be a his brethren, which they are, when by grace they are made partakers of a Divine nature. Christ is become as our Brother; wherever we find him let us be ready to own our relation to him, and affection for him, an not fear being despised for it. Is there in us an ardent wish to serv Christ more and better? What then have we laid up in store, to show ou affection to the Beloved of our souls? What fruit unto holiness? The church charges all her children that they never provoke Christ to withdraw. We should reason with ourselves, when tempted to do what would grieve the Spirit.
Song 8:5-7 The Jewish church came up from the wilderness, supported by Divine power and favour. The Christian church was raised from a low desolate condition, by the grace of Christ relied on. Believers, by the power of grace, are brought up from the wilderness. A sinful state is wilderness in which there is no true comfort; it is a wandering wanting state: There is no coming out of this wilderness, but leanin on Christ as our Beloved, by faith; not leaning to our ow understanding, nor trusting in any righteousness of our own; but in the strength of him, who is the Lord our Righteousness. The words of the church to Christ which follow, entreat an abiding place in his love and protection by his power. Set me as a seal upon thine heart; let m always have a place in thine heart; let me have an impression of love upon thine heart. Of this the soul would be assured, and without sense thereof no rest is to be found. Those who truly love Christ, ar jealous of every thing that would draw them from him; especially of themselves, lest they should do any thing to provoke him to withdra from them. If we love Christ, the fear of coming short of his love, or the temptations to forsake him, will be most painful to us. No water can quench Christ's love to us, nor any floods drown it. Let nothin abate our love to him. Nor will life, and all its comforts, entice believer from loving Christ. Love of Christ, will enable us to repe and triumph over temptations from the smiles of the world, as well a from its frowns.
Song 8:8-12 The church pleads for the Gentiles, who then had not the word of God, nor the means of grace. Those who are brought to Chris themselves, should contrive what they may do to help others to him Babes in Christ are always seen among Christians, and the welfare of their weak brethren is an object of continual prayer with the stronge believers. If the beginning of this work were likened to a wall buil upon Him the precious Foundation and Corner-stone, then the Gentil church would become as a palace for the great King, built of soli silver. If the first preaching of the gospel were as the making a doo through the wall of partition, that door should be lasting, as case with boards of durable cedar. She shall be carefully and effectuall protected, enclosed so as to receive no damage. The church is full of care for those yet uncalled. Christ says, I will do all that is necessary to be done for them. See with what satisfaction we shoul look back upon the times and seasons, when we were in his eyes as thos that find favour. Our hearts are our vineyards, which we must keep with all diligence. To Christ, and to his praise, all our fruits must be dedicated. All that work for Christ, work for themselves, and shall be unspeakable gainers by it.
Song 8:13,14 These verses close the conference between Christ and his church. He first addresses her as dwelling in the gardens, the assemblies and ordinances of his saints. He exhorts her to be constan and frequent in prayers, supplications, and praises, in which he delights. She replies, craving his speedy return to take her to be wholly with Him. The heavens, those high mountains of sweet spices must contain Christ, till the times come, when every eye shall see him in all the glory of the better world. True believers as they ar looking for, so they are hastening to the coming of that day of the Lord. Let every Christian endeavour to perform the duties of his station, that men may see his good works, and glorify his heavenl Father. Continuing earnest in prayer for what we want, ou thanksgivings will abound, and our joy will be full; our souls will be enriched, and our labours prospered. We shall be enabled to loo forward to death and judgment without fear. Even so, come, Lord Jesus __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
מי 4310 יתנך 5414 כאח 251 לי יונק 3243 שׁדי 7699 אמי 517 אמצאך 4672 בחוץ 2351 אשׁקך 5401 גם 1571 לא 3808 יבוזו׃ 936
