The Church Fathers on this verse

Song of Songs 8:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Our sister is little, and hath no breasts. What shall we do to our sister in the day when she is to be spoken to?

Douay-Rheims

אָח֥וֹת לָ֙נוּ֙ קְטַנָּ֔ה וְשָׁדַ֖יִם אֵ֣ין לָ֑הּ מַֽה־נַּעֲשֶׂה֙ לַאֲחֹתֵ֔נוּ בַּיּ֖וֹם שֶׁיְּדֻבַּר־בָּֽהּ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Aponius

5th centuryChurch Father

It is essential to recognize that the term "sister" refers to the Jewish nation, which will emerge from the foretold wilderness at the close of earthly time. In the final days, this nation will come to believe in the eternal God, rising from the wilderness of disbelief, where God's honor is absent, and placing trust in His Word, which provides steadfast refuge. This belief will be grounded in the indivisible Trinity, for without Him, not only is one devoid of safe havens, but the soul also faces spiritual starvation. The designation of "sister" applies as she is derived from the lineage of Abraham, through whom Christ came in the flesh and from whom the Church is birthed in the spirit. God established Abraham as the father of nations for this very purpose.

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These nations comprise the Church, which, through faith, constitutes the singular body of Christ; similarly, the soul of Christ is united with the Word, and the Word of God the Father joined with it. Thus, with a fervent spirit, the soul of our Lord Christ expressed her concern, saying, “We have a sister who is yet little, and she has no teats.”

Ireneus (Orda)

19th centuryCommentator

While her brothers converse among themselves about how to rescue their sister, who is too young for their intentions, she ironically reflects on their plans. She reminds them of the time they entrusted her with the care of Solomon's vineyard, which yielded significant returns for both Solomon and his overseers. Hearing the voice of her beloved, she urges him to come to her quickly.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.