Lectionary Calendar
Friday, January 10th, 2025
Friday after Epiphany
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

Contemporary English Version

Song of Solomon 3:8

Each of them wears a sword. They are experts at fighting, even in the dark.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Bed;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Beds;   War;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Thigh;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Solomon;   Song of songs;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Canticles;   ;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Song of Solomon;   Thigh;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Song of Songs;   Thigh;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Amazement;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Handle;   Wisdom of Solomon, the;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Blessing, Priestly;   Circumcision;   Demonology;  

Parallel Translations

English Standard Version
all of them wearing swords and expert in war, each with his sword at his thigh, against terror by night.
Geneva Bible (1587)
They all handle the sworde, and are expert in warre, euery one hath his sword vpon his thigh for the feare by night.
Christian Standard Bible®
All of them are skilled with swordsand trained in warfare.Each has his sword at his sideto guard against the terror of the night.
Hebrew Names Version
They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, Because of fear in the night.
Darby Translation
They all hold the sword, Experts in war; Each hath his sword upon his thigh Because of alarm in the nights.
Easy-to-Read Version
All of them are trained fighting men with their swords at their side, ready for any danger of the night.
Amplified Bible
"All of them handle the sword, All expert in war; Each man has his sword at his thigh, Guarding against the terrors of the night.
American Standard Version
They all handle the sword, and are expert in war: Every man hath his sword upon his thigh, Because of fear in the night.
Complete Jewish Bible
all of them wield the sword and are expert fighters; each one has his sword ready at his side to combat the terrors of night.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
They all handle the sword, and are expert in war; every man hath his sword upon his thigh, because of dread in the night.
King James Version (1611)
They all hold swords, being expert in warre: Euery man hath his sword vpon his thigh, because of feare in the night.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
They all hold a sword, being expert in war: every man has his sword upon his thigh because of fear by night.
English Revised Version
They all handle the sword, [and] are expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh, because of fear in the night.
Berean Standard Bible
All are skilled with the sword, experienced in warfare. Each has his sword at his side prepared for the terror of night.
Lexham English Bible
All of them wield swords; they are trained in warfare, each with his sword at his thigh to guard against terror in the night.
Literal Translation
They all hold the sword, instructed in war; each man has his sword on his thigh from dread in the night.
New Century Version
These soldiers all carry swords and have been trained in war. Every man wears a sword at his side and is ready for the dangers of the night.
New English Translation
All of them are skilled with a sword, well-trained in the art of warfare. Each has his sword at his side, to guard against the terrors of the night.
New King James Version
They all hold swords, Being expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh Because of fear in the night.
New Living Translation
They are all skilled swordsmen, experienced warriors. Each wears a sword on his thigh, ready to defend the king against an attack in the night.
New Life Bible
All of them use the sword and are very able in war. Each man has his sword at his side, keeping watch against trouble in the night.
New Revised Standard
all equipped with swords and expert in war, each with his sword at his thigh because of alarms by night.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
All of them, grasping the sword, trained for war, - every man, with his sword upon his thigh, because of dread, in the night-time.
Douay-Rheims Bible
All holding swords, and most expert in war: every man’s sword upon his thigh, because of fears in the night.
George Lamsa Translation
They all hold swords, being expert in war; every man has his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.
Good News Translation
All of them are skillful with the sword; they are battle-hardened veterans. Each of them is armed with a sword, on guard against a night attack.
New American Standard Bible
"All of them are wielders of the sword, Expert in war; Each man has his sword at his side, Guarding against the terrors of the night.
King James Version
They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Euery man also hath his sworde vpon his thigh, because of feare in the night.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and ben moost witti to batels; the swerd of ech man is on his hipe, for the drede of nyytis.
Young's Literal Translation
All of them holding sword, taught of battle, Each his sword by his thigh, for fear at night.
World English Bible
They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, Because of fear in the night.
Revised Standard Version
all girt with swords and expert in war, each with his sword at his thigh, against alarms by night.
Update Bible Version
They all handle the sword, [and] are expert in war: Every man has his sword on his thigh, Because of fear in the night.
Webster's Bible Translation
They all hold swords, [being] expert in war: every man [hath] his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.
Bible in Basic English
All of them armed with swords, trained in war; every man has his sword at his side, because of fear in the night.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
They holde swerdes euery one, & are experte in warre. Euery man hath his swerde vpo his thee, because of feare in the night.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"All of them are wielders of the sword, Expert in war; Each man has his sword at his side, Guarding against the terrors of the night.
Legacy Standard Bible
All of them are those who seize the sword,Learned in war;Each man has his sword at his side,Guarding against the dreadful things of the night.

Contextual Overview

7 It is King Solomon carried on a throne, surrounded by sixty of Israel's best soldiers. 8 Each of them wears a sword. They are experts at fighting, even in the dark. 9 The throne is made of trees from Lebanon. 10 Its posts are silver, the back is gold, and the seat is covered with purple cloth. You women of Jerusalem have taken great care to furnish the inside. 11 Now come and see the crown given to Solomon by his mother on his happy wedding day.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

all: Psalms 45:3, Psalms 149:5-9, Isaiah 27:3, Ephesians 6:16-18

because: Nehemiah 4:21, Nehemiah 4:22, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8

Reciprocal: Judges 3:16 - upon 2 Chronicles 12:10 - the chief Nehemiah 4:13 - in the lower places Job 34:25 - in the

Cross-References

Genesis 3:1
The snake was sneakier than any of the other wild animals that the Lord God had made. One day it came to the woman and asked, "Did God tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?"
Genesis 3:2
The woman answered, "God said we could eat fruit from any tree in the garden,
Genesis 3:3
except the one in the middle. He told us not to eat fruit from that tree or even to touch it. If we do, we will die."
Genesis 3:9
The Lord called out to the man and asked, "Where are you?"
Genesis 3:10
The man answered, "I was naked, and when I heard you walking through the garden, I was frightened and hid!"
Genesis 3:12
"It was the woman you put here with me," the man said. "She gave me some of the fruit, and I ate it."
Genesis 3:21
Then the Lord God made clothes out of animal skins for the man and his wife.
Genesis 3:22
The Lord said, "These people now know the difference between right and wrong, just as we do. But they must not be allowed to eat fruit from the tree that lets them live forever."
Deuteronomy 5:25
But we don't want to take a chance on being killed by that terrible fire, and if we keep on hearing the Lord 's voice, we will die.
Deuteronomy 23:14
You must keep your camp clean of filthy and disgusting things. The Lord is always present in your camp, ready to rescue you and give you victory over your enemies. But if he sees something disgusting in your camp, he may turn around and leave.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

They all hold swords,.... Or a "sword" r; the word is singular, which designs the word of God, called the sword of the Spirit, and said to be sharper than a twoedged sword, Ephesians 6:17 Hebrews 4:12; which everyone of the ministers of the Gospel hold in their hands; and which denotes not only their apprehension, but their retention of it, and firm adherence to it; it cleaves to them, and they to that; they and their sword cannot be parted, as Gussetius s observes the word signifies; these ministers could not be prevailed upon to drop it, or part with it, but retained it to the last; which shows them to be valiant men;

[being] expert in war; in military straits, in the spiritual war against sin, Satan, and the world, in common with other Christians; and in fighting the good fight of faith, against all opposers of the doctrines of the Gospel; knowing how to use to the best advantage the spiritual sword, the Scriptures of truth, to defend the Gospel, and refute error;

every man [hath] his sword upon his thigh; as a preparation for war, and an indication of readiness to engage in it, Psalms 45:3; for, being on the thigh, it is near, easy to come at, at once upon occasion, and so always in a posture of defence; all which expresses the familiar acquaintance ministers have with the word of God, its nearness, so that they can easily come at it, and furnish themselves with a sufficient proof of truth, and with proper arguments for the refutation of error. And this is done

because of fear in the night: when there is most danger; hence Cyrus considering that men are most easily taken when eating and drinking, and in the bath, and in bed, and in sleep, looked out for the most faithful men to be his bodyguard t. By "night" or "nights" u may be meant the nights of desertion, temptation, affliction, and persecution; when saints are in fear of their spiritual enemies, and of being overcome and destroyed by them: now Christ has provided a guard for his people, to prevent or remove these fears, and defend them from such as would make inroads upon their faith and comfort; namely, his ministers, that by their ministerings they may be a means of securing their peace and comfort, and of freeing them from all terrible apprehensions of things; which, as it shows the safety and security of the saints, so the tender care and concern of Christ for them.

r ρομφαιαν Sept. "gladium", Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius. s Ebr. Comment. p. 23. t Xenophon. Cyropaedia, l. 6. c. 29. u בלילות "in noctibus", Pagninus, Montanus, Piscator, Marckius, Michaelis.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The principal and central action of the Song; the bride’s entry into the city of David, and her marriage there with the king. Jewish interpreters regard this part of the poem as symbolizing the “first” entrance of the Church of the Old Testament into the land of promise, and her spiritual espousals, and communion with the King of kings, through the erection of Solomon’s Temple and the institution of its acceptable worship. Christian fathers, in a like spirit, make most things here refer to the espousals of the Church with Christ in the Passion and Resurrection, or the communion of Christian souls with Him in meditation thereon.

Song of Solomon 3:6-11

Two or more citizens of Jerusalem, or the chorus of youths, companions of the bridegroom, describe the magnificent appearance of the bride borne in a royal litter, and then that of the king in festive joy wearing a nuptial crown.

Song of Solomon 3:6

“wilderness” is here pasture-land in contrast with the cultivated districts and garden-enclosures round the city. Compare Jeremiah 23:10; Joel 2:22; Isaiah 42:11; Psalms 65:12.

Pillars of smoke - Here an image of delight and pleasure. Frankincense and other perfumes are burned in such abundance round the bridal equipage that the whole procession appears from the distance to be one of moving wreaths and columns of smoke.

All powders of the merchant - Every kind of spice forming an article of commerce.

Song of Solomon 3:7

Bed - Probably the royal litter or palanquin in which the bride is borne, surrounded by his own body-guard consisting of sixty mighties of the mighty men of Israel.

Song of Solomon 3:8

Because of fear in the night - i. e., Against night alarms. Compare Psalms 91:5.

Song of Solomon 3:9, Song of Solomon 3:10

A stately bed hath king Solomon made for himself of woods (or trees) of the Lebanon. The word rendered “bed” occurs nowhere else in Scripture, and is of doubtful etymology and meaning. It may denote here

(1) the bride’s car or litter; or

(2) a more magnificent vehicle provided for her reception on her entrance into the city, and in which perhaps the king goes forth to meet her.

It has been made under Solomon’s own directions of the costliest woods (ceda and pine) of the Lebanon; it is furnished with “pillars of silver” supporting a “baldachin” or “canopy of gold” (not “bottom” as in the King James Version), and with “a seat (not ‘covering’) of purple cushions,” while “its interior is paved with (mosaic work, or tapestry of) love from (not ‘for’) the daughters of Jerusalem;” the meaning being that this part of the adornment is a gift of love, whereby the female chorus have testified their goodwill to the bride, and their desire to gratify the king.

Song of Solomon 3:11

Daughters of Zion - So called here to distinguish them from the bride’s companions, who are always addressed by her as “daughters of Jerusalem.”

His mother - Bathsheba 1 Kings 1:11. This is the last mention of her in sacred history.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Song of Solomon 3:8. They all hold swords — They are swordsmen. Every man has a sword, and is well instructed how to use it.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile