King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 8:12 Mean?

Song of Solomon 8:12 in the King James Version says “My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof t...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.”

Song of Solomon 8:12 · KJV

Context

10

I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour. favour: Heb. peace

11

Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.

12

My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

13

Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it.

14

Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices. Make: Heb. Flee away

Read Song of Solomon 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
My vineyard, which is mine, is before me (כַּרְמִי שֶׁלִּי לְפָנָי)—the bride declares ownership and agency over her own vineyard (herself). Earlier (1:6) she lamented, 'mine own vineyard have I not kept.' Now she confidently presents her vineyard (her life, her sexuality, her whole self) to her beloved. The phrase lefanai (לְפָנָי, before me) suggests she's in control, presenting herself freely. Thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred (הָאֶלֶף לְךָ שְׁלֹמֹה וּמָאתַיִם לְנֹטְרִים אֶת־פִּרְיוֹ)—she acknowledges Solomon's commercial vineyard operation deserves its payment (1,000 to Solomon, 200 to keepers).

But her vineyard isn't for hire—she gives it freely to her beloved out of love, not commercial transaction. This teaches the fundamental difference between covenant love and prostitution/transaction. The bride's self-gift is voluntary, total, and motivated by love, not profit. Church tradition saw believers offering themselves as 'living sacrifices' (Romans 12:1)—not hired servants but loving children freely giving themselves to Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The bride's declaration of agency over 'my vineyard, which is mine' was significant in ancient patriarchal culture where women's autonomy was limited. She claims ownership of herself and the right to give herself freely to her chosen beloved. The contrast with Solomon's commercial vineyards (verse 11) emphasizes the difference between hired labor and covenant love. Solomon can have his thousand pieces of silver; the bride offers something beyond price—herself, freely given. Church fathers saw this as the soul's free offering to God versus religious duty or works-righteousness. The Reformation emphasized justification by faith (free grace) versus works (hired service). Modern application celebrates covenant marriage as mutual, voluntary self-gift rather than contractual transaction.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does freely offering yourself to Christ differ from serving Him as a 'hired keeper' seeking payment or merit?
  2. What does it mean practically to present 'my vineyard, which is mine' before Christ—offering your whole life voluntarily?
  3. How does covenant love (free self-gift) transform relationships compared to transactional thinking (payment for services)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
כַּרְמִ֥י1 of 10

“My vineyard”

H3754

a garden or vineyard

שֶׁלִּ֖י2 of 10
H7945

on account of, whatsoever, whichsoever

לְפָנָ֑י3 of 10

“which is mine is before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָאֶ֤לֶף4 of 10

“must have a thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

לְךָ֙5 of 10
H0
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה6 of 10

“me thou O Solomon”

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

וּמָאתַ֖יִם7 of 10

“thereof two hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

לְנֹטְרִ֥ים8 of 10

“and those that keep”

H5201

to guard; figuratively, to cherish (anger)

אֶת9 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פִּרְיֽוֹ׃10 of 10

“the fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

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 8:12 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 8:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 1:62 Corinthians 5:15Acts 20:281 Timothy 5:17-18Proverbs 4:23Psalms 72:17-19

Test Your Knowledge

Song of Solomon 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterSong of Solomon Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Song of Solomon 8 with CommentaryAll Song of Solomon ChaptersComplete Song of Solomon QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes