King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 8:5 Mean?

Song of Solomon 8:5 in the King James Version says “Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there t...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.”

Song of Solomon 8:5 · KJV

Context

3

His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.

4

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please. that: Heb. why should ye stir up, or, why, etc

5

Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.

6

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. cruel: Heb. hard

7

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

Read Song of Solomon 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The scene shifts: 'Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?' The question 'Who is this' (mi zot, מִי־זֹאת) expresses wonder and admiration. The bride comes 'from the wilderness' (min-hamidbar, מִן־הַמִּדְבָּר)—place of testing, trial, and spiritual formation. The key phrase 'leaning upon her beloved' (mitrappeqet al-dodah, מִתְרַפֶּקֶת עַל־דּוֹדָהּ) describes dependence, trust, and supported walking. The wilderness journey proved difficult, but the bride didn't walk alone—she leaned on her beloved's strength. This verse teaches that covenant love supports through trials. The wilderness doesn't destroy but refines, and the beloved's presence transforms difficulty into shared journey. Spiritually, this represents the believer's pilgrimage—coming through trials leaning on Christ's strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's wilderness wanderings provided powerful imagery of testing, dependence on God, and formation (Deuteronomy 8:2-5). The wilderness journey from Egypt to Canaan shaped national identity. Ancient readers would immediately connect wilderness with trial and God's faithful provision. The bride's emergence 'from wilderness' suggests maturity gained through testing—she didn't avoid difficulty but was sustained through it. Early church fathers saw the believer's earthly pilgrimage as wilderness journey, requiring constant dependence on Christ. The Puritans emphasized that trials test and strengthen faith—'leaning on the beloved' illustrates trusting God's strength rather than self-sufficiency. Modern readers recognize that spiritual formation often occurs through wilderness seasons requiring dependence on Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. What wilderness experiences have taught you to 'lean upon your beloved'—depending on Christ's strength rather than your own?
  2. How does this verse reframe trials: not as obstacles to avoid but as opportunities to experience Christ's sustaining presence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
מִ֣י1 of 17
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

זֹ֗את2 of 17
H2063

this (often used adverb)

עֹלָה֙3 of 17

“Who is this that cometh up”

H5927

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

מִן4 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר5 of 17

“from the wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

מִתְרַפֶּ֖קֶת6 of 17

“leaning”

H7514

to recline

עַל7 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

דּוֹדָ֑הּ8 of 17

“upon her beloved”

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

תַּ֤חַת9 of 17
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הַתַּפּ֙וּחַ֙10 of 17

“thee up under the apple tree”

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.)

עֽוֹרַרְתִּ֔יךָ11 of 17

“I raised”

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

שָׁ֚מָּה12 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

חִבְּלָ֥ה13 of 17

“brought thee forth”

H2254

to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e., to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of partur

אִמֶּ֔ךָ14 of 17

“there thy mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

שָׁ֖מָּה15 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

חִבְּלָ֥ה16 of 17

“brought thee forth”

H2254

to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e., to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of partur

יְלָדַֽתְךָ׃17 of 17

“that bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

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 8:5 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 8:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 3:6Isaiah 40:3Song of Solomon 2:3Psalms 63:8Song of Solomon 6:10Song of Solomon 3:4

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