King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 7:8 Mean?

Song of Solomon 7:8 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Song of Solomon 7:8 · KJV

Context

6

How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!

7

This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.

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;

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. sweetly: Heb. straightly of those: or, of the ancient

10

I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.

Read Song of Solomon 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof (אָמַרְתִּי אֶעֱלֶה בְתָמָר אֹחֲזָה בְּסַנְסִנָּיו)—the bridegroom declares his intention to climb the palm and grasp its branches. The Hebrew e'eleh (אֶעֱלֶה, I will ascend) and ochazah (אֹחֲזָה, I will take hold) express active pursuit and passionate embrace. This is covenantal intimacy within marriage—mutual, desired, and celebrated. Now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples (וְיִהְיוּ־נָא שָׁדַיִךְ כְּאַשְׁכְּלוֹת הַגֶּפֶן וְרֵיחַ אַפֵּךְ כַּתַּפּוּחִים)—the imagery shifts from grapes to vine clusters and adds the fragrance of apples, emphasizing sensory delight: sight, touch, taste, smell.

This verse celebrates marital sexuality as God's good gift—passionate, mutual, multi-sensory delight within covenant commitment. The bridegroom's declaration of intent ('I said, I will...') demonstrates that covenant love is both passionate and purposeful, spontaneous and committed. Church tradition allegorically read this as Christ's union with His Church or the soul's mystical communion with God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Palm trees were climbed to harvest dates or for pruning. The imagery is intimate and purposeful—the beloved doesn't merely admire the palm but actively engages with it. The combination of grapes (vine clusters) and apples creates a garden of delights, recalling Eden before the fall. Apples (or possibly apricots—Hebrew tappuach, תַּפּוּחַ) were celebrated for fragrance and flavor (2:5; 8:5). The Song's frank celebration of physical intimacy countered both pagan fertility cults (which separated sexuality from covenant) and ascetic denial of the body's goodness. Church fathers like Origen and Bernard interpreted this mystically as the soul ascending to God. The Puritans recovered appreciation for marital sexuality as holy and delightful when practiced within covenant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Bible's frank celebration of marital sexuality challenge both cultural shame and cultural idolatry around sex?
  2. What does purposeful, committed passion ('I said, I will...') look like in your covenant relationships?
  3. How can you cultivate multi-sensory appreciation (sight, touch, smell, taste) in appropriate contexts of covenant relationship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙1 of 13

“I said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶעֱלֶ֣ה2 of 13

“I will go up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בְתָמָ֔ר3 of 13

“to the palm tree”

H8558

a palm tree

אֹֽחֲזָ֖ה4 of 13

“I will take hold”

H270

to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

בְּסַנְסִנָּ֑יו5 of 13

“of the boughs”

H5577

a twig (as tapering)

וְיִֽהְיוּ6 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נָ֤א7 of 13
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

שָׁדַ֙יִךְ֙8 of 13

“thereof now also thy breasts”

H7699

the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging)

כְּאֶשְׁכְּל֣וֹת9 of 13

“shall be as clusters”

H811

a bunch of grapes or other fruit

הַגֶּ֔פֶן10 of 13

“of the vine”

H1612

a vine (as twining), especially the grape

וְרֵ֥יחַ11 of 13

“and the smell”

H7381

odor (as if blown)

אַפֵּ֖ךְ12 of 13

“of thy nose”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

כַּתַּפּוּחִֽים׃13 of 13

“like apples”

H8598

an apple (from its fragrance), i.e., the fruit or the tree (probably including others of the pome order, as the quince, the orange, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Song of Solomon. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Song of Solomon 7:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Song of Solomon 7:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 2:14John 14:21-23Song of Solomon 1:3Song of Solomon 4:16-5:1Jeremiah 32:41Song of Solomon 2:5

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