Song of Solomon 8:11
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This verse highlights that the true value of the vineyard wasn't just the massive profit it generated, but the intense labor and commitment of the keepers. It’s a picture of how God sees the effort and dedication we pour into the "vineyards" He entrusts to us, not just the final harvest.
Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard to keepers; each one was to bring for its fruit a thousand pieces of silver.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears in a poem comparing the lover to King Solomon, who owned a vast vineyard that yielded an incredible harvest. The passage before this describes the lovers' deep affection, and following this, the woman asserts that her own love is more valuable than Solomon's immense, financially fruitful vineyard. This comparison highlights the immeasurable worth the woman places on her love, setting it far above worldly riches.
Did you know Solomon, the wisest king, also owned a vineyard? And not just any vineyard, but one so valuable it required a massive investment.
A Royal Estate
Solomon, known for his wisdom and wealth, had a vineyard at a place called Baal-hamon. This wasn't a small plot of land for personal use; it was a significant estate.
High Stakes, High Reward
The verse tells us he "let out the vineyard to keepers." This means he entrusted its care and harvest to others. The payment was staggering: each keeper had to bring one thousand pieces of silver for the fruit. To put it in perspective, a silver piece was often a day's wage for a laborer. This highlights the immense value and expected productivity of the vineyard.
This verse, found in the Song of Solomon, isn't just about ancient agriculture. It paints a picture of something far more precious being cultivated.
Beyond Silver and Gold
While the verse details a literal, valuable vineyard, its context within the Song of Solomon points to a deeper meaning. This "vineyard" can be seen as a metaphor for love, relationship, and devotion.
The True Harvest
Solomon's vineyard demanded a thousand pieces of silver – a huge sum. But the love celebrated in this book is presented as something far more valuable than any earthly treasure. The lovers often speak of love being more desirable than riches or status. The immense value placed on this love suggests a harvest that enriches the soul and brings profound joy, a return far exceeding any monetary worth.
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Understand the original words
kerem · Hebrew Noun
An area planted with grapevines, often used in Scripture as a metaphor for Israel, the people of God, or the intimate life and love between husband and wife. It represents fruitfulness, labor, and stewardship.
noter · Hebrew Noun
A general term for those entrusted with the care, maintenance, and protection of a property or vineyard. In a spiritual context, it often refers to those responsible for stewarding God's gifts or people.
kesep · Hebrew Noun
Often translated as 'pieces of silver' or literally 'shekels,' representing a standard unit of value and currency used for commerce, tribute, and contractual obligations in the ancient Near East.
The verse paints a picture of Solomon's immense wealth and the sophisticated management of his agricultural estates, highlighting a golden age of prosperity and order in ancient Israel.
c. 1000 BC
Reign of King Solomon
Solomon ruled Israel, a period marked by peace, prosperity, and significant building projects, including palaces and fortified cities. His wealth and vast enterprises are legendary.
c. 970-931 BC— this verse
Solomon's Vast Enterprises
Solomon managed extensive agricultural lands and commercial ventures, including vineyards, orchards, and trade routes. His administration was known for its efficiency and impressive yields.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the unified kingdom split into the Northern Kingdom of Israel (with its capital eventually in Samaria) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (with its capital in Jerusalem).
This parable of the landowner and his workers highlights different levels of compensation for labor, echoing the theme of productivity and reward found in Song of Solomon.
1 Corinthians 3:9Paul refers to believers as God's 'field,' emphasizing that we are God's cultivation and harvest, aligning with the vineyard imagery of Song of Solomon.
Luke 12:16Jesus' parable of the rich fool who built larger barns to store his abundant harvest speaks to the theme of fruitfulness and its management, which is relevant to the Song of Solomon verse.
John 15:5Jesus' teaching that 'I am the vine; you are the branches' connects directly to the vineyard metaphor, illustrating the source of fruitfulness and the necessity of abiding in Him for productivity.
This verse highlights that the true value of the vineyard wasn't just the massive profit it generated, but the intense labor and commitment of the keepers. It’s a picture of how God sees the effort and dedication we pour into the "vineyards" He entrusts to us, not just the final harvest.
This verse appears in a poem comparing the lover to King Solomon, who owned a vast vineyard that yielded an incredible harvest. The passage before this describes the lovers' deep affection, and following this, the woman asserts that her own love is more valuable than Solomon's immense, financially fruitful vineyard. This comparison highlights the immeasurable worth the woman places on her love, setting it far above worldly riches.
This verse appears in a poem comparing the lover to King Solomon, who owned a vast vineyard that yielded an incredible harvest. The passage before this describes the lovers' deep affection, and following this, the woman asserts that her own love is more valuable than Solomon's immense, financially fruitful vineyard. This comparison highlights the immeasurable worth the woman places on her love, setting it far above worldly riches.
"Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard to keepers; each one was to bring for its fruit a thousand pieces of silver." — This verse highlights that the true value of the vineyard wasn't just the massive profit it generated, but the intense labor and commitment of the keepers. It’s a picture of how God sees the effort…
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Last reviewed October 2026
