CINXE.COM

Song of Solomon 8:8 We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Song of Solomon 8:8 We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/songs/8-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/22_Sng_08_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Song of Solomon 8:8 - Longing for Her Beloved" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/songs/8-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/songs/8-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/songs/">Songs</a> > <a href="/songs/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/songs/8-7.htm" title="Song of Solomon 8:7">&#9668;</a> Song of Solomon 8:8 <a href="/songs/8-9.htm" title="Song of Solomon 8:9">&#9658;</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible">&nbsp;Audio&nbsp;</a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References">&nbsp;Cross&nbsp;</a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible">&nbsp;Study&nbsp;</a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary">&nbsp;Comm&nbsp;</a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon">&nbsp;Heb&nbsp;</a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/songs/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">&nbsp; (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/songs/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/songs/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />We have a little sister too young to have breasts. What will we do for our sister if someone asks to marry her?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/songs/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister on the day when she is spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/songs/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/songs/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/songs/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />We have a little sister, And she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister In the day when she is spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/songs/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;We have a little sister, And she has no breasts; What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/songs/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220We have a little sister, And she has no breasts; What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/songs/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />&#8220;We have a little sister, And she has no breasts; What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/songs/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />&#8220;We have a little sister, And she has no breasts; What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/songs/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;We have a little sister And she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister On the day when she is spoken for [in marriage]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/songs/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Our sister is young; she has no breasts. What will we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/songs/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Our sister is young; she has no breasts. What will we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/songs/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />We have a little sister, And she hath no breasts: What shall we do for our sister In the day when she shall be spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/songs/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />We have a little sister whose breasts are not yet formed. If someone asks to marry her, what should we do? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/songs/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/songs/8.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and she has no breasts. What will we do for our sister on the day she becomes engaged?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/songs/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />We have a young sister, and her breasts are still small. What will we do for her when a young man comes courting? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/songs/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and she has not yet reached maturity. What will we do for our sister to prepare her for her engagement? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/songs/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/songs/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and as yet she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister on the day when she is spoken for? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/songs/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />We have a little sister. She has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister in the day when she is to be spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/songs/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/songs/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />We have a little sister. She has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister in the day when she is to be spoken for? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/songs/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and she does not have breasts, "" What do we do for our sister, "" In the day that it is told of her?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/songs/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> We have a little sister, and breasts she hath not, What do we do for our sister, In the day that it is told of her?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/songs/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A little sister to us, and no breasts to her: what shall we do for our sister in the day it shall be spoken for her?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/songs/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Our sister is little, and hath no breasts. What shall we do to our sister in the day when she is to be spoken to? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/songs/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Chorus: <font color=#008800>Our sister is little and has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister on the day when she is called upon?</font><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/songs/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;We have a little sister; she has no breasts as yet. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/songs/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />We have a little sister, and she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister, on the day when she is spoken for?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/songs/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />We have a little sister whose breasts have not developed; what shall we do for our sister in the day when they shall seek her hand?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/songs/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />We have a little sister and she has no breasts; what shall we do for our sister in the day in which she is spoken for?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/songs/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />We have a little sister, And she hath no breasts; What shall we do for our sister In the day when she shall be spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/songs/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Our sister is little, and has no breasts; what shall we do for our sister, in the day wherein she shall be spoken for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/songs/8-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9D_QEk8ZdxU?start=1153" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/songs/8.htm">Longing for Her Beloved</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">7</span>Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6996.htm" title="6996: q&#601;&#183;&#7789;an&#183;n&#257;h (Adj-fs) -- Small, young, unimportant. Or qaton; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally or figuratively.">We have a little</a> <a href="/hebrew/269.htm" title="269: &#8217;&#257;&#183;&#7717;&#333;&#183;w&#7791; (N-fs) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively).">sister,</a> <a href="/hebrew/l&#257;&#183;n&#363; (Prep:: 1cp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/l&#257;h (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7699.htm" title="7699: w&#601;&#183;&#353;&#257;&#183;&#7695;a&#183;yim (Conj-w:: N-md) -- The breast of a, woman, animal. Or shod; probably from shuwd contracted; the breast of a woman or animal.">and her breasts</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: &#8217;&#234;n (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">are not yet grown.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: na&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;&#347;eh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">shall we do</a> <a href="/hebrew/269.htm" title="269: la&#183;&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#7717;&#333;&#183;&#7791;&#234;&#183;n&#363; (Prep-l:: N-fsc:: 1cp) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively).">for our sister</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay&#183;y&#333;&#183;wm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">on the day</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: &#353;e&#183;y&#601;&#183;&#7695;ub&#183;bar- (Pro-r:: V-Pual-Imperf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">she is spoken for?</a> <a href="/hebrew/b&#257;h (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>If she is a wall, we will build a tower of silver upon her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/34-14.htm">Genesis 34:14</a></span><br />&#8220;We cannot do such a thing,&#8221; they said. &#8220;To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-36.htm">1 Corinthians 7:36-38</a></span><br />However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married. / But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well. / So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-7.htm">Ezekiel 16:7-8</a></span><br />I made you thrive like a plant of the field. You grew up and matured and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed and your hair grew, but you were naked and bare. / Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-39.htm">1 Samuel 25:39-42</a></span><br />On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, &#8220;Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.&#8221; Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. / When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, &#8220;David has sent us to take you as his wife.&#8221; / She arose, bowed facedown, and said, &#8220;Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord&#8217;s servants.&#8221; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm">2 Corinthians 11:2</a></span><br />I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/22-13.htm">Deuteronomy 22:13-21</a></span><br />Suppose a man marries a woman, has relations with her, and comes to hate her, / and he then accuses her of shameful conduct and gives her a bad name, saying, &#8220;I married this woman and had relations with her, but I discovered she was not a virgin.&#8221; / Then the young woman&#8217;s father and mother shall bring the proof of her virginity to the city elders at the gate ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Matthew 25:1-13</a></span><br />&#8220;At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/3-10.htm">Ruth 3:10-11</a></span><br />Then Boaz said, &#8220;May the LORD bless you, my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before, because you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. / And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-14.htm">1 Timothy 5:14</a></span><br />So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/62-5.htm">Isaiah 62:5</a></span><br />For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-3.htm">1 Peter 3:3-4</a></span><br />Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God&#8217;s sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10-12</a></span><br />A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-32.htm">Jeremiah 2:32</a></span><br />Does a maiden forget her jewelry or a bride her wedding sash? Yet My people have forgotten Me for days without number.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-27</a></span><br />Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-16.htm">Genesis 24:16</a></span><br />Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">We have a little sister, and she has no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?</p><p class="hdg">a little</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-46.htm">Ezekiel 16:46,55,56,61</a></b></br> And thine elder sister <i>is</i> Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, <i>is</i> Sodom and her daughters&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/23-33.htm">Ezekiel 23:33</a></b></br> Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/10-16.htm">John 10:16</a></b></br> And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, <i>and</i> one shepherd.</p><p class="hdg">she hath</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/8-10.htm">Song of Solomon 8:10</a></b></br> I <i>am</i> a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/4-5.htm">Song of Solomon 4:5</a></b></br> Thy two breasts <i>are</i> like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/7-3.htm">Song of Solomon 7:3</a></b></br> Thy two breasts <i>are</i> like two young roes <i>that are</i> twins.</p><p class="hdg">in the day</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/19-44.htm">Luke 19:44</a></b></br> And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_peter/2-12.htm">1 Peter 2:12</a></b></br> Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by <i>your</i> good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/songs/8-1.htm">Breasts</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-16.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/songs/2-15.htm">Little</a> <a href="/songs/5-2.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/songs/7-12.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/8-10.htm">Breasts</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-27.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-22.htm">Little</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-7.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/songs/8-14.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Song of Solomon 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/8-1.htm">The love of the church to Christ</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/8-6.htm">The vehemence of love</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/8-8.htm">The calling of the Gentiles</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/8-14.htm">the church prays for Christ's coming</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/songs/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/songs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/songs/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>We have a little sister</b><br>This phrase introduces a familial relationship, indicating a sense of responsibility and care. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, family bonds were strong, and siblings often played significant roles in each other's lives. The mention of a "little sister" suggests youth and innocence, highlighting the protective nature of the family. This can be seen as a metaphor for the church or believers who are young in faith, needing guidance and protection.<p><b>and her breasts are not yet grown.</b><br>This phrase symbolizes immaturity and the process of coming of age. In the historical context, physical maturity was often linked to readiness for marriage. The imagery here suggests that the sister is not yet ready for the responsibilities and commitments of adult life. Spiritually, this can be seen as a representation of believers who are still growing in their faith and understanding, not yet ready for deeper spiritual responsibilities.<p><b>What shall we do for our sister</b><br>This question reflects a proactive concern for the sister's future. It implies a desire to prepare and protect her, ensuring she is ready for the next stage of life. In biblical terms, this can be seen as the responsibility of the church to nurture and prepare young believers for spiritual maturity. It echoes the biblical principle of discipleship and mentorship found in passages like <a href="/titus/2-4.htm">Titus 2:4-5</a>, where older women are encouraged to teach and guide younger women.<p><b>on the day she is spoken for?</b><br>This phrase refers to the time when the sister will be betrothed or married. In ancient Israel, marriage was a significant event, often arranged by families, and marked the transition to adulthood. The "day she is spoken for" signifies a future commitment and the need for readiness. Prophetically, this can be seen as a type of the church being prepared as the bride of Christ, as described in <a href="/revelation/19-7.htm">Revelation 19:7-8</a>, where the church is made ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_shulammite_woman.htm">The Shulammite Woman</a></b><br>The central female figure in the Song of Solomon, often interpreted as a bride or beloved. Her voice and experiences are central to the account.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_brothers.htm">The Brothers</a></b><br>In <a href="/songs/8-8.htm">Song of Solomon 8:8</a>, the brothers of the Shulammite woman speak. They express concern for their sister's future and her readiness for marriage.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_little_sister.htm">The Little Sister</a></b><br>The subject of the brothers' concern in this verse. She is described as having "no breasts," symbolizing her youth and immaturity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/m/maturity_and_readiness.htm">Maturity and Readiness</a></b><br>The verse highlights the importance of maturity before entering into significant life commitments, such as marriage. It encourages individuals to assess their readiness and growth in various aspects of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_responsibility.htm">Family Responsibility</a></b><br>The brothers' concern for their sister underscores the role of family in guiding and protecting younger members. It suggests that family should be involved in nurturing and preparing individuals for future responsibilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_growth.htm">Spiritual Growth</a></b><br>Just as the little sister is not yet ready for marriage, believers are called to grow spiritually before taking on new roles or challenges. This growth involves developing character and understanding God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_support.htm">Community Support</a></b><br>The involvement of the brothers reflects the importance of community in personal development. The church community can play a similar role in supporting and guiding individuals in their spiritual journey.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_song_of_solomon_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_song_8_fit_with_bible_themes.htm">How do we reconcile the seemingly romantic and intimate focus of Song of Solomon 8 with the broader religious themes typical of other Bible texts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_song_8_5_align_with_patriarchy.htm">How does Song of Solomon 8:5, which suggests a strong marital bond, align with biblical texts that portray marriage in more patriarchal terms?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_mention_brothers'_protection_in_song_8_8-9.htm">Why does Song of Solomon 8:8-9 mention the brothers' protective stance, yet offer no clear historical context or evidence of such customs in ancient Israel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_60_queens_fit_solomon's_700_wives.htm">(Song of Solomon 6:8) How can sixty queens and eighty concubines align with Solomon's reputed 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/songs/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">We have a little sister.</span>--Commentators are almost all at one in the feeling that the poem properly ends with <a href="/songs/8-7.htm" title="Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.">Song of Solomon 8:7</a>. Those who construct the poem on the plan of a drama can find no proper place for what follows (unless as a meaningless epilogue), and the want of cohesion with the main body of the work is so evident that many scholars have rejected it as a later addition; others have tried to find a place for it by re-arranging the whole poem. But if the various sections are, as above explained, only a succession of different presentments of the same story of courtship and marriage, made without any regard to order, but simply as they occurred to the memory of the poet, this conclusion presents no difficulty, either from its position or its meaning. With a view to artistic form, we might wish it away or in some other part of the poem; but the author had no regard to artistic form, or not the same conception of it as we have.<p><span class= "bld">A little sister </span>. . .--The recollection is carried back to the childhood of the bride. Her brothers are supposed to be debating how to deal with her when an offer of marriage should be made for her.<p><span class= "bld">In the day when she shall be spoken for?</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, asked in marriage (comp. <a href="/1_samuel/25-29.htm" title="Yet a man is risen to pursue you, and to seek your soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD your God; and the souls of your enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.">1Samuel 25:29</a>). At present she is unmarriageable.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/songs/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?</span> The term "little" refers, of course, to her tender age, as in <a href="/2_kings/5-2.htm">2 Kings 5:2</a>, the "little maid;" and in <a href="/genesis/44-20.htm">Genesis 44:20</a>, "a child of his old age, a little one," referring to Benjamin. "She hath no breasts" is equivalent to saying she is not yet mature, of marriageable age (see <a href="/ezekiel/16-7.htm">Ezekiel 16:7</a>). The question which the bride asks of King Solomon refers to the promise which he is supposed to have made, and which he is virtually pledging himself to fulfil by this visit to the country home of his queen. "What shall be done for the advantage of my little sister? Let us consult together" (cf. <a href="/genesis/27-37.htm">Genesis 27:37</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/10-2.htm">1 Samuel 10:2</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-4.htm">Isaiah 5:4</a>). "The day when she shall be spoken for" is the day when she shall attract the attention of a suitor. It must necessarily be difficult to find satisfactory interpretations forevery detail in such a poem of human love as this. It might be sufficient to see in this reference to the younger sister the general idea of love's expansion. Those who are themselves the objects of it, being full of exquisite happiness, desire to call others into the same joy. This is true both of the individual and of the Church. <span class="accented">What shall be done for others?</span> That is the question which is awakened in every heart where true love is at work. There is no need to explain the language further. But the allegorists have been very ingenious in attempting to find meanings forevery allusion of the poem. Who is the little sister? What is her virginity? What is the day in which she shall be spoken for? Some have said that the little sister represents the firstfruits of the Jews and Gentiles received into the Christian Church immediately after the time of our Lord's ascension, as Beza and others. Some, again, take it to mean the whole body of Jews and Gentiles yet to be converted. Others would see in it those that are weak in faith, the beginners in Christian life. And, again, it has been regarded as pointing to the "daughter of Zion" at the time of the first beginnings of her conversion to the heavenly Solomon, which is the view of Hengstenberg and others. There is no end to such fancies. The broad general meaning is all that we can rest upon. The bride naturally thinks of her sister. It is a lovely incident in a perfectly idyllic poem. The visit to the home is quite in harmony with the fresh, pure, and simple life which reveals itself in all the utterances of the bride, and is honoured by the devoted attention of the splendid monarch. It is a real touch of nature when the young bride, in her family life once more, asks what shall become of her sister. It is an exquisite type of that sisterly solicitude with which all true Christians will care for the souls around them. Delitzsch thinks that the question which is asked by the bride is answered by her brothers, as they were the actual guardians of the little sister (see <a href="/genesis/21.htm">Genesis 21</a>:50, 55; 34:6-8). But there is no necessity to introduce any new interlocutors at this point. The words are certainly addressed to Solomon. It is quite natural that he should reply to them in a royal style, with the <span class="accented">pluralis majestatis</span> which suits the corresponding position of the bride as a suppliant for her sister. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/songs/8-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">We have a little</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1511;&#1456;&#1496;&#1463;&#1504;&#1468;&#1464;&#1428;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(q&#601;&#183;&#7789;an&#183;n&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6996.htm">Strong's 6996: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small, young, unimportant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sister,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1464;&#1495;&#1445;&#1493;&#1465;&#1514;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#257;&#183;&#7717;&#333;&#183;w&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_269.htm">Strong's 269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sister -- a sister</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and her breasts</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1513;&#1473;&#1464;&#1491;&#1463;&#1430;&#1497;&#1460;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;&#353;&#257;&#183;&#7695;a&#183;yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Noun - md<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7699.htm">Strong's 7699: </a> </span><span class="str2">The breast of a, woman, animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are not yet grown.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1461;&#1443;&#1497;&#1503;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#234;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">What</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1463;&#1469;&#1492;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall we do</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1504;&#1468;&#1463;&#1506;&#1458;&#1513;&#1474;&#1462;&#1492;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(na&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;&#347;eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for our sister</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1463;&#1488;&#1458;&#1495;&#1465;&#1514;&#1461;&#1428;&#1504;&#1493;&#1468;</span> <span class="translit">(la&#183;&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#7717;&#333;&#183;&#7791;&#234;&#183;n&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; Noun - feminine singular construct &#124; first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_269.htm">Strong's 269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sister -- a sister</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the day</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1463;&#1497;&#1468;&#1430;&#1493;&#1465;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(bay&#183;y&#333;&#183;wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she is spoken for?</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1513;&#1473;&#1462;&#1497;&#1468;&#1456;&#1491;&#1467;&#1489;&#1468;&#1463;&#1512;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(&#353;e&#183;y&#601;&#183;&#7695;ub&#183;bar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative &#124; Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/songs/8-8.htm">Song of Solomon 8:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/songs/8-8.htm">Song of Solomon 8:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/songs/8-8.htm">Song of Solomon 8:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/songs/8-8.htm">Song of Solomon 8:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/songs/8-8.htm">Song of Solomon 8:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/songs/8-8.htm">Song of Solomon 8:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/songs/8-8.htm">Song of Solomon 8:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/songs/8-8.htm">Song of Solomon 8:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/songs/8-8.htm">Song of Solomon 8:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/songs/8-8.htm">Song of Solomon 8:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/songs/8-8.htm">OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 8:8 We have a little sister (Song Songs SS So Can)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/songs/8-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Song of Solomon 8:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 8:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/songs/8-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Song of Solomon 8:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 8:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10