Song of Solomon 8:2
What does Song of Solomon 8:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 8:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 8:2 means
She imagines taking her beloved into her mother’s house, a place of guidance and approval, where love can be instructed and blessed within the family. The image of spiced wine and pomegranate juice signals delight, festivity, and abundance. She seeks not a reckless passion but a nurtured, celebrated union shaped by wisdom. “Who would instruct me” suggests that love, though powerful, needs teaching—skill in faithfulness, tenderness, and household life. The setting moves intimacy from the shadows into a place of covenantal stability. The pleasures offered are not cheap thrills; they are refined, shared joys that flourish where love is anchored in community and tradition.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, Who would instruct me; I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, Who would instruct me; I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I would take you by the hand into my mother's house, and she would be my teacher. I would give you drink of spiced wine, drink of the pomegranate.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I lead thee, I bring thee in unto my mother's house, She doth teach me, I cause thee to drink of the perfumed wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I will take hold of thee, and bring thee into my mother's house: there thou shalt teach me, and I will give thee a cup of spiced wine and new wine of my pomegranates.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I would lead thee, bring thee into my mother's house; Thou wouldest instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate.
Context
After wishing for public freedom to express affection (v. 1), she now envisions love brought into the safety of her mother’s house. The images of instruction and rich drink portray love maturing into settled companionship. This flows into verse 3’s depiction of the beloved’s tender embrace, reinforcing mutual comfort, and verse 4’s renewed charge not to awaken love prematurely. The movement signals that this is not merely private passion; it is love fitting into a wise, familial framework—the kind of context the song consistently commends for lasting joy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 5:39
Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me;
- Proverbs 9:2
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table:
- John 5:46
For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me.
- Song of Solomon 7:9
And thy mouth like the best wine, That goeth down smoothly for my beloved, Gliding through the lips of those that are asleep.
- Song of Solomon 4:10
How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride! How much better is thy love than wine! And the fragrance of thine oils than all manner of spices!
- 2 Timothy 3:15
and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
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