King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 8:9 Mean?

Song of Solomon 8:9 in the King James Version says “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 ce...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Song of Solomon 8:9 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

Read Song of Solomon 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver (אִם־חוֹמָה הִיא נִבְנֶה עָלֶיהָ טִירַת כָּסֶף)—the brothers propose two scenarios based on the younger sister's character. If she's a 'wall' (chomah, חוֹמָה), meaning firm, strong, chaste, resistant to improper advances, they will honor her by building a 'palace of silver' (tirat kasef, טִירַת כָּסֶף)—adorning and celebrating her virtue. Silver represents value, beauty, and honor. And if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar (וְאִם־דֶּלֶת הִיא נָצוּר עָלֶיהָ לוּחַ אָרֶז)—if she's a 'door' (delet, דֶּלֶת), meaning open, easily accessed, lacking firm resistance, they will protect her by enclosing her with cedar boards—imposing boundaries and restrictions for her protection.

This teaches that character determines response: virtue is honored and adorned; weakness is protected and restricted. The wall/door contrast represents self-control versus vulnerability. Church tradition saw the 'wall' as spiritual strength and the 'door' as susceptibility to temptation, requiring community protection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern culture valued female chastity highly—a woman's sexual purity directly affected family honor and marriage prospects. Brothers exercised protective authority over unmarried sisters. A 'wall' symbolized strength, defense, and boundaries—impenetrable to assault. A 'door' suggested access and potential vulnerability. Silver palaces represented honor and celebration; cedar enclosures provided protection and restriction. The brothers' commitment to respond appropriately to their sister's character shows wise, protective love. Church fathers interpreted this as God's response to believers: those who remain faithful receive honor (silver palace), while those who struggle with temptation receive protective discipline (cedar boards). Both responses demonstrate love.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your character invite either honor and freedom ('silver palace') or protective restriction ('cedar enclosure')?
  2. What does it mean to be a 'wall'—firm in character, resistant to temptation, maintaining godly boundaries?
  3. How can Christian community wisely provide both celebration of virtue and protection for vulnerability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אִם1 of 14
H518

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

חוֹמָ֣ה2 of 14

“If she be a wall”

H2346

a wall of protection

הִ֔יא3 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נִבְנֶ֥ה4 of 14

“we will build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

עָלֶ֖יהָ5 of 14
H5921

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

טִ֣ירַת6 of 14

“upon her a palace”

H2918

a wall; hence, a fortress or a hamlet

כָּ֑סֶף7 of 14

“of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְאִם8 of 14
H518

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

דֶּ֣לֶת9 of 14

“and if she be a door”

H1817

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

הִ֔יא10 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נָצ֥וּר11 of 14

“we will inclose”

H6696

to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)

עָלֶ֖יהָ12 of 14
H5921

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

ל֥וּחַ13 of 14

“her with boards”

H3871

probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal

אָֽרֶז׃14 of 14

“of cedar”

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

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 8:9 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 8:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 6:12-151 Corinthians 3:10-121 Kings 6:15Revelation 21:12-19Isaiah 58:12Matthew 16:18

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