This passage begins with the woman coming up from the wilderness again, but this time she is not alone. The arms of her beloved are now wrapped around her, embracing and protecting his bride. A wedding ring reveals a man’s commitment to be united with his wife, and here, the bride desires to be the public “seal” of her husband (8:6a). She is his unique possession. Their love is stronger than death (8:6b). This is a powerful statement. All mankind fears death, but perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). We also hear from the brothers of the bride for the first time (vs. 8-9). They seemed concerned for the purity of their sister when she was younger. The bride ferociously reveals her chastity before marriage, which is also why she had previously adjured the daughters of Jerusalem to “not awaken love before its time” (vs. 4). Solomon and his bride waited and now they experience marital bliss together.

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