Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.

SONG OF SOLOMON 8:5KJV
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Song of Solomon 8:5 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 8:5 mean?

Song of Solomon 8:5 describes a woman coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved, and recalls a memory of her birth under an apple tree, where her mother gave birth to her. The verse paints a picture of intimacy, support, and shared history between the lovers, with a nod to the woman's origins and family.

The verse is spoken by onlookers or a chorus, noticing the woman (the bride) as she emerges from a difficult or secluded place, supported by her beloved (the groom). The mention of the apple tree and her mother connects the present love story to the woman's beginnings, highlighting themes of love, belonging, and the continuity of life and relationship.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 8:5

  • "Wilderness" (מִדְבָּר, midbar, H4057) refers to an uninhabited or wild place. Here, it suggests the couple is coming from a place of testing or separation, emphasizing their journey together.
  • "Leaning" (רָפַק, rafaq, H7514) means to rest or support oneself on someone. The image of the woman leaning on her beloved underscores trust, closeness, and dependence in their relationship.
  • "Beloved" (דּוֹד, dod, H1730) is a term of deep affection, often used in Song of Solomon for the male lover. Its use here highlights the warmth and intimacy between the couple.
  • "Tree" (תַּפּוּחַ, tappuach, H8598) specifically means "apple tree," which in this context may symbolize love, fertility, or a place of significant memory in their relationship.

Why Song of Solomon 8:5 matters

  • The verse clears up the idea that love is not just a private feeling but something seen and recognized by others, as the couple is observed coming up from the wilderness together.
  • The reference to the apple tree and the woman's mother ties personal love to family roots and generational continuity, showing that love stories are shaped by where we come from.
  • The imagery of leaning on the beloved emphasizes that real love involves support, trust, and shared journeys through both wilderness and fruitful places.

Where else these words appear

“tree” Hebrew H8598 · used in 6 verses

  • Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
  • Song of Solomon 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
  • Song of Solomon 7:8 I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;

“forth” Hebrew H2254 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 22:26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
  • Job 34:31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
  • Isaiah 13:5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.

“beloved” Hebrew H1730 · used in 53 verses

  • Leviticus 10:4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.
  • Song of Solomon 1:16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.
  • Song of Solomon 5:16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

“raised” Hebrew H5782 · used in 65 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
  • Psalms 73:20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
  • Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.