King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 8:7 Mean?

Song of Solomon 8:7 in the King James Version says “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for ...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Song of Solomon 8:7 · KJV

Love

Context

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.

8

We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?

9

If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.

Read Song of Solomon 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Continuing the meditation on love's nature, the bride declares: '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.' This verse presents love's indestructibility and priceless value through two powerful affirmations. First, love's endurance: 'Many waters cannot quench' and 'floods drown it' employ water imagery—in Scripture, water often represents overwhelming trials, chaos, or opposition (Psalm 18:16; 69:1-2, 14-15; 124:4-5; Isaiah 43:2). Mighty floods that destroy everything else cannot extinguish love's flame (continuing the fire imagery from 8:6). True covenant love persists through adversity, trials, and opposition—it is not a fair-weather emotion but enduring commitment. Second, love's value: 'if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned' teaches that love cannot be purchased. Offering all wealth to buy love would be scorned/despised (bazah, בָּזָה) because genuine love is not a commodity. It cannot be earned by merit or bought with riches—it must be freely given and received. This verse teaches that covenant love is both indestructible (persisting through trials) and invaluable (beyond price).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern literature often portrayed water as threatening chaos (Mesopotamian flood myths, Egyptian texts). Israel's poetry employed water imagery for overwhelming danger—literal floods, military invasion, or personal crisis (Psalms 18:16; 32:6; 69:1-2; 144:7). The Song declares that while floods destroy houses, crops, and lives, they cannot quench love—it endures beyond natural disasters and human catastrophes. The reference to 'all the substance of his house' (kol-hon beyto, כָּל־הוֹן בֵּיתוֹ) indicates total wealth and possessions. In ancient cultures where family wealth determined security and status, offering everything represented supreme sacrifice. Yet the verse insists love cannot be purchased at any price—it must be freely given. This counters transactional approaches to relationships (dowries, bride prices, arranged marriages for political/economic advantage). While ancient Near Eastern marriages involved financial elements, the Song celebrates love that transcends economics. Early church tradition saw Christ's love as both enduring ('neither death, nor life... shall separate us from the love of God,' Romans 8:38-39) and freely given ('the gift of God is eternal life,' Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8). The Reformers emphasized salvation by grace alone—God's love cannot be earned or purchased but must be received as free gift. Modern readers affirm that genuine love persists through trials and cannot be commodified or earned.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'many waters' and 'floods' have tested your covenant love (in marriage or with Christ)—how has enduring love demonstrated its indestructible character?
  2. How does understanding that love 'cannot be purchased' at any price shape your approach to relationships—are you trying to earn love through performance or receive it as free gift?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
מַ֣יִם1 of 21

“waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

רַבִּ֗ים2 of 21

“Many”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

לֹ֤א3 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יֽוּכְלוּ֙4 of 21

“cannot”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לְכַבּ֣וֹת5 of 21

“quench”

H3518

to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)

אֶת6 of 21
H853

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

בָּאַהֲבָ֔ה7 of 21

“for love”

H160

love

וּנְהָר֖וֹת8 of 21

“neither can the floods”

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

לֹ֣א9 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִשְׁטְפ֑וּהָ10 of 21

“drown”

H7857

to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer

אִם11 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִתֵּ֨ן12 of 21

“would give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אִ֜ישׁ13 of 21

“it if a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת14 of 21
H853

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

כָּל15 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

ה֤וֹן16 of 21

“all the substance”

H1952

wealth; by implication, enough

בֵּיתוֹ֙17 of 21

“of his house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

בָּאַהֲבָ֔ה18 of 21

“for love”

H160

love

יָב֥וּזוּ19 of 21

“be contemned”

H936

to disrespect

יָב֥וּזוּ20 of 21

“be contemned”

H936

to disrespect

לֽוֹ׃21 of 21
H0

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 8:7 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 8:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 6:35Romans 13:8-10Proverbs 6:31Isaiah 43:2Romans 8:28-39Matthew 7:24-25

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