Song of Solomon 7

Song of Solomon 7:1-8

The Intimacy of the Marriage Bed – In Son 7:1-13 we have a description of the husband and wife coming together in the intimacy of the marriage bed. The man is first aroused by her physical beauty and uses his words in foreplay (Son 7:1-5). He then moves into the act of intercourse (Son 7:6-9). The wife responds with words expressing her desire to always yield to him as long as he continues his devotion to her (Son 7:10 to Son 8:4). The context of this passage suggests that a healthy sex life builds a bond between a couple that keeps them intimate and not wandering away. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Man’s Foreplay — Son 7:1-52. The Act of Intercourse — Son 7:6-93. The Woman’s Response to His Devotion — Son 7:10 to Son 8:4

Song of Solomon 7:6-9

The Act of Intercourse – Literal Interpretation - Many Christian scholars interpret Son 7:6-9 as a description of the act of intercourse between a man and a woman. In Son 7:6 the husband makes his request for intercourse with his wife in the expression, “O love, for delights”. The act of intercourse between a man and a woman is not solely for procreation, but is also intended to give delight in the marriage. In Son 7:7 he likens her feminine shape to the palm tree. We can picture the palm tree in the Middle East as it grows so beautifully along well-watered areas. It has a long, tall trunk with no limbs.

At the top is a group of long, curved palm branches giving the tree its unique shape. Just under its leaves are clusters of dates, or coconuts, which give the tree its character and identity. Son 7:8 then describes the act of climbing these palm trees. This is because they were harvested by them and taking hold of their branches in order to cut off their clusters. As a young teenager my two brothers and I once climbed a pine tree in our yard. It had a long vine running down from its branches, which we held on to in order to climb. For the lowest branches of the pine tree are twenty feet off of the ground. Thus, we had to climb with our legs wrapped tightly around the trunk of the tree, much like these harvesters of the date palms.

Although we were youth, as we climbed with our legs squeezing tightly around the trunk of the tree, my brothers and I would feel an orgasm coming. The higher we climbed the strong the urge. We did not understand what was happening. So, we simply stopped and squeezed ourselves against the tree trunk until the urge subsided and we came down. If we had continued to climb up to the lower branches we surely would have had a full orgasm. This is what such harvesters would have experienced while harvesting their dates or coconuts.

Taking hold of the boughs would represent the orgasm. Finally, in Son 7:9 he expresses his delight in kissing her lovely face during intercourse by referring to her mouth and lips. How can the Lover speak this way to the Shulamite woman? It is simply because they have now been wed and he is speaking to his wife; for we find that the marriage ceremony has taken place (Son 3:6-11) and the marriage bed has been consummated (Son 4:16 to Son 5:1). Thus, they are now husband and wife. Figurative Interpretation – Bickle believes Son 7:6-9 symbolizes the Lord releasing a greater measure of the anointing in a mature believer’s life.[237] [237] Mike Bickle, Session 17 – Vindication of the Persecuted Bride (Song of Solomon 6:11-7:9), in Song of Songs (Kansas City, Missouri: International House of Prayer, 1998), 2, 16.Son 7:6 How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights! Son 7:6 — Word Study on “love” – Strong says the Hebrew word “love” “ahabah” (ΰַ ?δֲ ?αָ ?δ) (H160), means, “love.” The Enhanced Strong says this word is used forty (40) times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as “love 40.” It is found 11 times in the Song of Solomon (Son 2:4-5; Son 2:7; Son 3:5; Son 3:10; Son 5:8; Son 7:6; Son 8:4; Son 8:6-7[twice]), with one of these uses as a substantive to refer to her lover (Son 7:6). Comments - The word “O” was added by the translators and is not found in the original text.Son 7:6 — Literal Interpretation – The phrase “for delights” in Son 7:6 suggests that the act of intercourse between a man and a woman is not solely for procreation, but is also intended to give delight in the marriage. Figurative Interpretation – At this point in the believer’s maturity God greatly delights in his devotion. Even in the midst of trials and tests the believer has proved to truly love God above all else. Son 7:7 This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes. Son 7:7 — Word Study on “clusters of grapes” – Strong says the Hebrew word “clusters of grapes” “esh-kole’” (ΰֶ ?ωְׁ ?λֹּ ?εμ) (H811) means, “a bunch of grapes or other fruit.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 9 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as “cluster 8, cluster of grapes 1.” Thus, the Hebrew text does not have the word “of grapes.” As a result most modern translations simply read “clusters.” Many scholars understand these clusters to be those of the palm tree, which is mentioned as a parallel verse. Son 7:7 — Literal Interpretation – The husband expresses his strong attraction for the beautiful physique of his wife, her shapely stature, or figure, and breasts. Figurative Interpretation – A palm tree flourishes, even in the desert. The Lord expresses his delight in the maturity of the believer in the midst of the desert and wilderness of this world. He has been steadfast and grown to maturity so as to produce fruit for the Kingdom of Heaven. He is able to nurture others in the faith. Son 7:8 I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples; Son 7:8 — Word Study on “apples” – Strong says the Hebrew word “apple tree” “tappuwach” (ϊַּ ?τּ ?εּ ?ηַ) (H8598) word means, “an apple, apple tree.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 6 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as “apple tree 3, apple.” (see Proverbs 25:11, Son 2:3; Son 2:5; Son 7:8; Son 8:5, Joe 1:12). Thomas Constable says, “The apple tree was a symbol of love in ancient poetry because of its beauty, fragrance and sweet fruit.”[238] [238] Thomas L. Constable, Notes on Song of Solomon (Garland, Texas: Sonic Light, 2000) [on-line]; accessed 28 December 2008; available from Internet, 26.Son 7:8 — Comments - There have been many allegorical interpretations as to the two breasts referred to in Son 4:5 and Son 7:8. Dennis Kinlaw says, “Jewish scholars have seen in the bride’s breasts Moses and Aaron; the two Messiahs, Messiah Son of David and Messiah son of Ephraim; Moses and Phinehas; and Joshua and Eleazar. Christian interpreters have been equally ingenious. They have seen the bride’s breasts as the church from which we feed; the two testaments, Old and New; the twin precepts of love of God and neighbor; and the Blood and the Water. Gregory of Nyssa found in them the outer and the inner man, united in one sentient being.

Little wonder that the allegorical interpretation has come under increasing attack in the last two centuries. It is not difficult to understand Luther when he insisted that the literal sense.”[239] [239] Dennis F. Kinlaw, “Introduction,” in Song of Solomon, in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 5, ed. Frank E. Gaebelien, J. D. Douglas, and Dick Polcyn (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Pub. House, 1976-1992), in Zondervan Reference Software, v. 2.8 [CD-ROM] (Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Zondervan Corp., 1989-2001).Son 7:8 — Literal Interpretation – Son 7:8 describes the act of climbing these palm trees. Reaching the top and taking hold of the boughs would represent the man’s orgasm. Figurative Interpretation – “I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof” – Perhaps this statement means that the Lord will release His anointing through this servant of God. “and the smell of thy nose like apples” – Watchman Nee suggests this phrase to mean that this believer expresses the fragrance of Christ.[240] [240] Watchman Nee, Song of Songs (Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: CLC Publications, c1965, 2001), 136.Son 7:9 And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak. Son 7:9 — Literal Interpretation - In Son 7:9 he expresses his delight in kissing her lovely face during intercourse by referring to her mouth and lips. It implies him placing his tongue into her mouth and tasting the roof of her mouth in deep kissing. Figurative Interpretation – “And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved” – If the wine is figurative of the Holy Spirit, then this servant of God is allowing the Holy Spirit to move through him and bring to life those who are “asleep”, or inattentive to the things of God. Watchman Nee suggests this refers to a believer’s desire for the new wine of the new millennium at the resurrection of the saints (Matthew 26:29).[241] [241] Watchman Nee, Song of Songs (Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: CLC Publications, c1965, 2001), 136.Matthew 26:29, “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Song of Solomon 7:10-8

The Woman’s Response to His Devotion – Son 7:10-13 tells us the woman’s response to her husband’s affections. A man is aroused visually by the physical appearance of his wife, while the woman is aroused emotionally by a man’s devotion to her, as we will learn in the next passage (Son 7:10-13). My wife has told me how much she needs me to embrace her and hold her after the act of intercourse. This time of intimacy does not end with the orgasm, but should be followed through with close embrace: for it is during this time that the wife feels her husband’s commitment and devotion to her. While the act of physical love gives the husband pleasure, it is the resulting embrace that gives the wife her pleasure and contentment. In Son 7:10 to Son 8:4 we do not have the wife desirous of the physical features of her husband, but rather, expressing the emotions of continual embraces. The woman uses the language of flourishing vines and the smell of the mandrakes symbolically to express the emotions that she feels towards her husband as a result of these times of intimacy with her. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. Special Times Together — Son 7:10-132. The Beloved’s Struggle for Undivided Attention — Son 8:1-4