O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised.
KJV
Parallel translations
4 additional translations▾
Parallel translations
4 additional translationsOh that thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breasts of my mother! WhenI should find thee without, I would kiss thee; Yea, and none would despise me.
O that you were to me like a brother who nursed at my mother’s breasts! If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me.
Who doth make thee as a brother to me, Sucking the breasts of my mother? I find thee without, I kiss thee, Yea, they do not despise me,
Oh that thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breasts of my mother! Should I find thee without, I would kiss thee; And they would not despise me.
About this book
Old Testament▾
About this book
Old TestamentSong of Solomon — Love poetry in eight chapters — the Bible's most surprising book. A chiastic structure; a bride and bridegroom alternating in dialogue; and a three-school interpretive tradition the site surfaces without adjudication.
- Author
- Traditional: Solomon (1:1 ''the song of songs, which is Solomon's''). Critical: the ''of Solomon'' construction allows ''about Solomon'' or ''to Solomon'' and opens the authorship question. §7.9 surfaces; most readings keep Solomonic association.
- Date
- Solomonic reading: c. 965–930 BC. Critical reading: later editorial compilation.