Song of Solomon 8:6

As seals are not impressed upon the heart, nor upon the arm, we must understand here the ring seals which were bound round the neck with a cord (Genesis 38:18) and carried in the bosom, or which were worn on the finger (Jeremiah 22:24). This last passage interprets the bride's request. She wishes to be united in the closest way with her lover, and to be valued as his most precious possessions were valued. Cp. Haggai 2:23. Budde, perhaps rightly, would put for the second châthôm=-seal," some word like tsâmîdh, signifying a bracelet. Cp. Tennyson's Miller's Daughter, where the lover longs to be a jewel in his lady's ear:

"It is the miller's daughter,

And she is grown so dear, so dear,

That I would be the jewel,

That trembles in her ear."

strong as death Love is as irresistible as death, which none can escape.

jealousyis cruel as the grave Jealousy is as unrelenting as Sheol, the place of the dead, from which none can ever escape; cp. Proverbs 27:20. The meaning is that love and jealousy have irresistible power over those whom they bring under their sway. Her reference to jealousy would seem to shew that she fears the effect of her love upon herself, if he should not join himself indissolubly with her.

the coals thereofare coals of fire R.V. The flashes thereof are flashes of fire. Love glows and burns in the heart like flame.

a most vehement flame Heb. shalhebheth yâh, a flame of Jah, i.e. a flame of supernatural power, one that is kindled and cherished by God. Ewald with fair probability suggests that we should read, its flames are flames of Jah. For the thought compare Browning's Any Wife to any Husband,

"It would not be because my eye grew dim

Thou couldst not find the love there, thanks to Him

Who never is dishonoured in the spark

He gave us from his fire of fires, and bade

Remember whence it sprang, nor be afraid

While that burns on, though all the rest grow dark."