Song of Solomon 6:8

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number,

American Standard Version (1901)

There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, And virgins without number.

Bible in Basic English

There are sixty queens, and eighty servant-wives, and young girls without number.

Free Bible Version

There may be sixty queens and eighty concubines, and countless more women,

King James (Authorized) Version

There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.

Translation for Translators

Even if a king had 60 queens and 80 ◄concubines/slave wives► and more young women than anyone can count,

Unlocked Literal Bible

There are sixty queens, eighty concubines, and young women without number.

Noah Webster Bible

There are sixty queens, and eighty concubines, and virgins without number.

World English Bible

There are sixty queens, eighty concubines, and virgins without number.

Young's Literal Translation

Sixty are queens, and eighty concubines, And virgins without number.

Context

The Bridegroom

⁷Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate. ⁸There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number, ⁹but my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the favorite of the mother who bore her. The maidens see her and call her blessed; the queens and concubines sing her praises.

Summary

This verse portrays the daughters of Jerusalem asking the Shulammite woman to describe her beloved, indicating their curiosity and admiration for the man she loves. The Shulammite responds by describing her beloved as radiant and outstanding among ten thousand. This exchange highlights the deep affection and admiration the Shulammite has for her beloved, emphasizing the beauty and uniqueness she sees in him. It also symbolizes the intimate relationship between Christ and His Church, reflecting the love, admiration, and longing that believers have for their Savior.

Commentary

Tyndale

Tyndale Open Study Notes

6:8-9 If the Song were an allegory of the Lord’s love for his people, it would provide a very weak parallel, since Solomon’s excesses in marrying do a poor job of picturing God’s love and faithfulness (see 1 Kgs 11:1-13). • sixty queens: Many of Solomon’s wives were obtained by marrying into international treaties (see 1 Kgs 11:1-3, 8). • Concubines were wives who had secondary status, lower than a wife but higher than a slave. Concubines were acquired by war, debt repayment, or purchase. • In the anthology view, the reference to queens and concubines simply means that the woman herself is more desirable than all other women.