THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Upon my repentance, He will come back to me. This may also signify the moment of the second advent or the conversion of the Jewish nation.
Song of Songs 7:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
I said: I will go up into the palm tree, and will take hold of the fruit thereof: and thy breasts shall be as the clusters of the vine: and the odour of thy mouth like apples.
זֹ֤את קֽוֹמָתֵךְ֙ דָּֽמְתָ֣ה לְתָמָ֔ר וְשָׁדַ֖יִךְ לְאַשְׁכֹּלֽוֹת׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 5 commentaries
Ambrose of Milan
In those who undergo baptism, the Church exhibits its true beauty. Consequently, God proclaims to her, “All that you are is beautiful, my beloved, and there is no blemish in you. Come with me from Lebanon, O bride, come with me from Lebanon” (Song of Songs 4:8). By proclaiming the Gospel to the nations, she journeying through this temporal existence, ultimately reaches Christ. Once more, God addresses her, saying: “How beautiful you are, how appealing, my beloved, because of your charm! Your stature is like a palm tree, and your bosom is like a vine” (Song of Songs 7:8).
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The laurel and palm tree serve as emblems of triumph: the laurel wreath crowns victors, while the palm adorns their hands. Thus, the Church expresses: “I said, ‘I will ascend the fig tree, I will grasp its top’” (Song of Songs 7:8; LXX). Acknowledging the height of the Word and believing ascent to His heights and the pinnacle of knowledge is possible, she declares: “I will ascend the fig tree”—let him abandon all lower pursuits and strive for the higher calling, the victorious reward of Christ. Let him gather and partake in His delightful fruits, for the produce of virtue is indeed sweet.
Therefore, emulate her, O man, so it may be said of you, “Your stature is like a palm tree” (Song of Songs 7:8). Preserve the vigor of your youth and the inherent purity received from the beginning; that being rooted by the waters, you may, in due time, bear fruit, and your leaves shall not wither. Hence, be planted in the house of the Lord, so you may thrive in His courts like a palm tree. May the grace of the Church fill you, that your senses may savor a fragrance akin to apples (Song of Songs 7:9), and that your throat may relish the finest wine, enabling you to be intoxicated with Christ.
God the Word addresses the Church, asking, "Why have you become so radiant and delightful, my beloved, amid your pleasures? Your stature resembles that of a palm tree, and your bosom is like clusters of grapes."
Christ rides forth on His divine steeds, embodying the Word of God as He elevates godly souls. Recognize that He has also ascended upon her, guiding her to the palm tree, as He inquires of the soul, "Why, O beloved, have you become beautiful and lovely in your comforts? Your stance mirrors that of a palm tree." The soul responds, "I declared that I will climb the palm tree." Love itself symbolizes a palm tree, for it embodies triumphant fulfillment and is the essence of the law. Thus, let us strive to attain the reward; let us endeavor to conquer.
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The one who prevails ascends the palm tree and partakes in its fruits. Upon overcoming, one no longer runs but finds rest, as it is written, "To the one who overcomes I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." Consequently, philosophers have documented these contests of souls in their writings, yet they could not ascend the palm tree, as their souls failed to comprehend the profundity of the Word.
In those who are baptized, the Church is radiant. Hence, God declares to her, "You are all beautiful, my beloved, and there is no blemish upon you! Come with Me from Lebanon, O bride, come with Me from Lebanon!" Preaching the Gospel to the world, she will traverse this age to reach Christ. Furthermore, God expresses again how beautiful and attractive she is, praising her loveliness, stating, "Your stature resembles that of a palm tree, and your bosom is like a vine."
The laurel and the palm tree serve as symbols of victory; the laurel crowns the heads of victors, while the palm adorns the hand of the triumphant. Therefore, the Church proclaims, "I will ascend to the fig tree, I will grasp its top." Recognizing the height of the Word and believing it is possible to ascend to His lofty place and the pinnacle of knowledge, she expresses her resolve to climb the fig tree, urging others to abandon all lesser pursuits and aim for the greater, the victorious reward of Christ, to reap and savor His sweet fruits, for the fruit of virtue is delightful.
Thus, emulate her, O person, so that it may be said of you, "Your stature is like a palm tree." Maintain the vibrancy of your youth and the innate purity granted to you from the beginning; that you, planted by streams of water, may find your fruit ready in its season, and your leaves will not wither. Therefore, be rooted in the house of the Lord, flourishing in His palace like a palm tree, that the grace of the Church may enter you, and that your nostrils may breathe in a fragrance like apples, and your throat may savor the finest wine, becoming intoxicated with Christ.
Theodoret of Cyrus
You, once seen as repulsive and unattractive, have been transformed into something beautiful and esteemed. This transformation was brought about by the enchanting power of love. By loving the Bridegroom who cares for you and finding your joy in His embrace, you have turned away from all else. Your magnificence resembles that of a fig tree, while your nurturing spirit is akin to a thorn. Not only do you rise high, almost touching the heavens with your splendor, but like the humbled fruit of a fig tree, you lower yourself to your fragile disciples and provide them with the nourishment of your teachings. The Bride, having heard such numerous praises, consumed by love, responded:
Ireneus (Orda)
In the distance, Sulamita appears in remarkable beauty and, unaware of her friends’ presence, declares that she has come to explore the vineyard (6:9-11). Her companions encourage her to speak with them (12), yet the bridegroom, who suddenly arrives, interrupts their intrigue and resumes his song of adoration for his beloved, finishing with a wish to relish the delightful fruits of the date and grape, which he likens to his bride (7:1-9).
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- John 14:21He that hath my commandments and keepeth them; he it is that loveth me. And he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father: and I will love him and will manifest myself to him.
- John 14:23Jesus answered and said to him: If any one love me, he will keep my word. And my Father will love him and we will come to him and will make our abode with him.
- 2 Cor 2:14Now thanks be to God, who always maketh us to triumph in Christ Jesus and manifesteth the odour of his knowledge by us in every place.
- Jer 32:41And I will rejoice over them, when I shall do them good: and I will plant them in this land in truth, with my whole heart, and with all my soul.
- Song 4:16Arise, O north wind, and come, O south wind, blow through my garden, and let the aromatical spices thereof flow.
- Song 5:1Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat the fruit of his apple trees. I am come into my garden, O my sister, my spouse, I have gathered my myrrh, with my aromatical spices: I have eaten the honeycomb with my honey, I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends, and drink, and be inebriated, my dearly beloved.
- Song 1:3Draw me: we will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments. The king hath brought me into his storerooms: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, remembering thy breasts more than wine: the rightous love thee.
- Song 2:5Stay me up with flowers, compass me about with apples: because I languish with love.