Sapientiæ 8:8

Nova Vulgata

Soror nostra parva et ubera non habet; quid faciemus sorori nostrae in die, quando alloquenda est?

Parallel Translations

Clementine Latin Vulgate (1592)
Non est in hominis potestate prohibere spiritum, nec habet potestatem in die mortis : nec sinitur quiescere ingruente bello, neque salvabit impietas impium.

Jerome's Latin Vulgate (405)
Soror nostra parva,
et ubera non habet;
quid faciemus sorori nostr�
in die quando alloquenda est?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a little: Ezekiel 16:46, Ezekiel 16:55, Ezekiel 16:56, Ezekiel 16:61, Ezekiel 23:33, John 10:16, Acts 15:14-17, Romans 15:9-12

she hath: Song of Solomon 8:10, Song of Solomon 4:5, Song of Solomon 7:3, Psalms 147:19, Psalms 147:20, Acts 7:38, Romans 3:1, Romans 3:2, Ephesians 2:12

what: Psalms 2:8, Psalms 72:17-19, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 60:1-5, Isaiah 60:10, Isaiah 60:11, Acts 10:1-48, Acts 11:1-18, Acts 16:9, Acts 22:21, Acts 26:17, Acts 26:18, Romans 10:12-15, Ephesians 2:13-15, Ephesians 2:19-22

in the day: Luke 19:44, 1 Peter 2:12

Reciprocal: Psalms 144:12 - the similitude Song of Solomon 7:7 - thy breasts Isaiah 54:1 - O barren

Gill's Notes on the Bible

We have a little sister,.... Which seems to be the Gentile church, so called by the Jewish church; for as the church catholic, or universal, with respect to its parts, is called a mother, as often in this Song; so these parts, with respect to each other, as the Jewish and Gentile churches, may be called sisters; and the rather, as they belong to the same Father and family, are partakers of the same grace, and are of the same faith and religion as to the substance of them; and the object and nature of their worship the same, though as to circumstances different: and it may be observed that the Gentile church is not only sister to the Jewish church, but to Christ, and therefore she says, not I, but we, have such a sister; of which relation, see Song of Solomon 4:9; also that she stood in this relation to Christ and to the Jewish church before the coming of Christ, and before the Gospel was preached to her, and she was called and separated from the world; as elect Gentiles are also called the sheep of Christ, and children of God, before that time, John 10:16. This church is described as a "little sister", younger in age than the Jewish church, and in some respects less honourable, Romans 3:1; the same with the younger son and brother, in the parable of the prodigal; little in esteem among men, especially the Jews, Ephesians 2:11; little in stature, light, knowledge, and faith, at first conversion; and but few in number, particularly at first, and in comparison of the world: and so the church of Christ, consisting both of Jews and Gentiles, is called a little flock, Luke 12:32. As a further description of her, it is added,

and she hath no breasts: is not arrived to years of ripeness, nor marriageable; see Ezekiel 16:7; the time of her open espousal to Christ was not yet come: at this time she had no ministers nor ordinances, from whence she could have the sincere milk of the word, or share it with others; and it was some time after the Gospel came among the Gentiles before they had a settled ministry;

what shall we defer our sister? or, "what shall be done for her?" being moved with pity to her, in her forlorn and helpless condition, like a little infant, Ezekiel 16:4; and willing to do anything for her that lay in her power, though seeming at a loss to know what to do for her: the believing Jews were very assisting to the Gentiles, in carrying the Gospel among them at first; and in supplying them with ministers, and with money too, to carry on the interest of Christ among them. The Jewish church here is not forgetful of the chief and principal agent, Christ, and therefore says, what shall we do? she was willing to do what she could; but she knew all would be insignificant without Christ, his agency and blessing. The time she was concerned what should be done for her in is,

in the day when she shall be spoken for, or "with", or "unto" y: when she should be wooed or treated with for marriage, by the ministers of the word, at the first preaching of the Gospel to her; or be spoken to by her enemies, by fair words, or severe menaces, to desert the faith. Or, "be spoken of" z; the fame of her be spread abroad, far and near, for her light, knowledge, and faith; for her profession, and her sufferings for it; and the concern is, how she should behave under all the noise and talk about her: or, "be spoken against" a; as she would be by unbelieving Jews, and by ignorant Heathens, for embracing the Christian religion, for receiving the Gospel of Christ, submitting to his ordinances, and professing his name, Acts 28:22. Now the old church might be concerned, that she might stand firm to her faith and the profession of it, notwithstanding the reproaches and persecutions of men.

y שידבר בה "alloquenda est", V. L. "fiet sermo cum ea", Pagninus; "in colloquendum", Tigurine version. z "Sermo fiet de ea", Brightman, Mercerus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Michaelis, so Cocceius. a So the Targum, Shir Hashirim Rabba, & Jarchi in loc. Bereshit Rabba, s. 39. fol. 34. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A brief dialogue commencing with a question and answer probably made by brothers of the bride concerning a younger sister who will soon be old enough to be asked in marriage. The answer is given in the form of a parable: “If she be a wall,” i. e., stedfast in chastity and virtue, one on whom no light advances can be made, then let us honor and reward her. This fortress-wall shall be crowned as it were with a tower or battlement of silver. But “if she be a door,” light-minded and accessible to seduction Proverbs 7:11-12, then let us provide against assailants the protection of a cedar bar or panel.

Song of Solomon 8:10

The bride herself replies with the pride of innocence and virtue already crowned. She has shown herself to be such a fortress-wall as her brothers have alluded to, and her reward has been the royal favor.

Song of Solomon 8:11, Song of Solomon 8:12

She next turns to the king, and commends her brothers to his favorable regard by means of another parable. Solomon owns a vineyard in Baal-hamon (possibly Baalbak, or identical with Amana (Conder)), situated in the warm and fertile plains of Coele-Syria, overshadowed by the heights of Lebanon Song of Solomon 4:8. This vineyard he has let out to tenants etc.

The bride also has a vineyard of her own Song of Solomon 1:6, her beauty and virtue faithfully guarded by these same brothers in time past. This vineyard now belongs to Solomon. Let him have “the thousand” which is his due - she is indeed herself henceforth entirely his - but let the faithful keepers have their meed as well. At least two hundred silverlings should be theirs - a double tithe of royal praise and honor.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Song of Solomon 8:8. We have a little sister — This young girl belonged most probably to the bride.

She hath no breasts — She is not yet marriageable.

What shall we do for our sister — How shall we secure her comfort and welfare?

In the day when she shall be spoken for? — When any person shall demand her in marriage.