There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
Song of Solomon 6:8
What does Song of Solomon 6:8 mean?
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Song of Solomon 6:8
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse isn't about a literal harem; it highlights the unparalleled beauty and uniqueness of the beloved by contrasting her with an overwhelming, almost unimaginable multitude of others. Her singular loveliness stands out even when placed beside the vastness of a king's entire royal household.
There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The bride is describing her unique beauty and the awe she inspires, contrasting herself with the many royal women surrounding her. She's not comparing herself with a sense of rivalry, but rather highlighting how she stands out among all others, even those with status, as the one who has captured the king's heart. This elevates her to a singular position, above all the others mentioned.
Imagine a king with countless treasures, yet his heart is set on one. In Song of Solomon, we see a similar dynamic playing out. Who are all these 'queens' and 'concubines'?
This verse describes the vast number of women associated with royalty and power, perhaps representing other nations or groups who admire the king.
A World of Options
It highlights the sheer abundance of people and beauty in the world. Yet, despite this immense collection, the Shulamite woman is singled out.
The King's Focus
For the king (Solomon), she is not just one among many. She holds a unique and unrivaled position in his heart and eyes. This isn't about quantity; it's about singular devotion.
In a world brimming with people, why does one person capture your heart? This verse reminds us that true love isn't about having the most, but about recognizing the one who stands above all others.
The contrast between the vast multitude and the singular beloved is crucial. The number sixty, eighty, and 'without number' emphasizes the immense scale of women available, yet the king's gaze is fixed.
The Power of Being 'The One'
This isn't about the Shulamite woman being objectively superior in every way, but about her being the one chosen and cherished by the king. Her value is established by his specific affection for her.
Ask a follow-up
God's Personal Affection
This echoes how God sees us. While the world is vast and full of people, God calls us by name and sets His love upon us individually. We are not lost in the crowd; we are uniquely known and loved.
Understand the original words
malkâ · Hebrew Noun
A royal wife or woman of high status in a king's harem; signifies wealth, political power, and the multitude of choices available in an earthly kingdom compared to the singular devotion of the bride.
pîlegeš · Hebrew Noun
A secondary wife or woman in a subordinate domestic status to a queen, often reflecting the social structures of ancient Near Eastern royalty.
ʿalmâ · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to a young woman, often emphasizing her physical purity or maidenhood. In scripture, it frequently highlights the value of untouched integrity.
The verse reflects the opulent and polygamous royal courts common in the ancient Near East, particularly the exaggerated scale of Solomon's own household as a symbol of his immense power and wealth.
c. 1000 BC
Reign of King Solomon
Solomon's reign was a period of great prosperity and expansion for Israel, marked by extensive building projects and international relations.
c. 970-931 BC— this verse
Solomon's Extensive Harem
Solomon famously had 700 wives and 300 concubines, a practice reflecting the power and wealth of ancient Near Eastern rulers.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the unified kingdom of Israel split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of its population and the loss of the ten northern tribes.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonian Empire destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple, exiling the Judean elite and marking the end of the southern Kingdom of Judah.
This verse directly quotes the words of the king of Sodom to Abram, highlighting the commonality of a ruler offering possessions or people to a victor.
Esther 2:2This passage describes a similar scenario where the king, after losing his queen, seeks out virgins from across the kingdom to find a replacement, reflecting the vast resources and options available to royalty.
Psalm 45:14This psalm describes a royal bride brought to the king, accompanied by her attendants, illustrating the grand procession and entourage typical of a royal wedding, mirroring the context of numerous women surrounding a king.
Song of Solomon 2:16This verse shows the lover addressing his beloved, calling her his 'own' among many, which echoes the idea of a special, singular love amidst a multitude of others, similar to how the beloved in Song of Solomon is set apart.
This verse isn't about a literal harem; it highlights the unparalleled beauty and uniqueness of the beloved by contrasting her with an overwhelming, almost unimaginable multitude of others. Her singular loveliness stands out even when placed beside the vastness of a king's entire royal household.
The bride is describing her unique beauty and the awe she inspires, contrasting herself with the many royal women surrounding her. She's not comparing herself with a sense of rivalry, but rather highlighting how she stands out among all others, even those with status, as the one who has captured the king's heart. This elevates her to a singular position, above all the others mentioned.
The bride is describing her unique beauty and the awe she inspires, contrasting herself with the many royal women surrounding her. She's not comparing herself with a sense of rivalry, but rather highlighting how she stands out among all others, even those with status, as the one who has captured the king's heart. This elevates her to a singular position, above all the others mentioned.
"There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number." — This verse isn't about a literal harem; it highlights the unparalleled beauty and uniqueness of the beloved by contrasting her with an overwhelming, almost unimaginable multitude of others. Her singu…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026