Song of Solomon 3:8
New International Version
all of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night.

New Living Translation
They are all skilled swordsmen, experienced warriors. Each wears a sword on his thigh, ready to defend the king against an attack in the night.

English Standard Version
all of them wearing swords and expert in war, each with his sword at his thigh, against terror by night.

Berean Standard Bible
All are skilled with the sword, experienced in warfare. Each has his sword at his side prepared for the terror of the night.

King James Bible
They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

New King James Version
They all hold swords, Being expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh Because of fear in the night.

New American Standard Bible
“All of them are wielders of the sword, Expert in war; Each man has his sword at his side, Guarding against the terrors of the night.

NASB 1995
“All of them are wielders of the sword, Expert in war; Each man has his sword at his side, Guarding against the terrors of the night.

NASB 1977
“All of them are wielders of the sword, Expert in war; Each man has his sword at his side, Guarding against the terrors of the night.

Legacy Standard Bible
All of them are those who seize the sword, Learned in war; Each man has his sword at his side, Guarding against the dreadful things of the night.

Amplified Bible
“All of them handle the sword, All expert in war; Each man has his sword at his thigh, Guarding against the terrors of the night.

Christian Standard Bible
All of them are skilled with swords and trained in warfare. Each has his sword at his side to guard against the terror of the night.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All of them are skilled with swords and trained in warfare. Each has his sword at his side to guard against the terror of the night.

American Standard Version
They all handle the sword, and are expert in war: Every man hath his sword upon his thigh, Because of fear in the night.

Contemporary English Version
Each of them wears a sword. They are experts at fighting, even in the dark.

English Revised Version
They all handle the sword, and are expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh, because of fear in the night.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All of them are skilled in using swords, experienced in combat. Each one has his sword at his side and guards against the terrors of the night.

Good News Translation
All of them are skillful with the sword; they are battle-hardened veterans. Each of them is armed with a sword, on guard against a night attack.

International Standard Version
All of them are wearing swords and are experienced in battle. Each has his sword on his thigh, ready for the terror of the night.

Majority Standard Bible
All are skilled with the sword, experienced in warfare. Each has his sword at his side prepared for the terror of the night.

NET Bible
All of them are skilled with a sword, well-trained in the art of warfare. Each has his sword at his side, to guard against the terrors of the night.

New Heart English Bible
They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.

Webster's Bible Translation
They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

World English Bible
They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
All of them holding sword, taught of battle, "" Each his sword by his thigh, for fear at night.

Young's Literal Translation
All of them holding sword, taught of battle, Each his sword by his thigh, for fear at night.

Smith's Literal Translation
All of them holding the sword, being trained to war: each his sword upon his thigh from terror in the night.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
All holding swords, and most expert in war : every man's sword upon his thigh, because of fears in the night.

Catholic Public Domain Version
all holding swords and well-trained in warfare, each one’s weapon upon his thigh, because of fears in the night.

New American Bible
All of them expert with the sword, skilled in battle, Each with his sword at his side against the terrors of the night.

New Revised Standard Version
all equipped with swords and expert in war, each with his sword at his thigh because of alarms by night.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They all hold swords, being expert in war; every man has his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
All of them hold a sword and are teachers of war, each man’s sword on his thigh from fear of the night
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
They all handle the sword, And are expert in war; Every man hath his sword upon his thigh, Because of dread in the night.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
They all hold a sword, being expert in war: every man has his sword upon his thigh because of fear by night.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon Arrives on His Wedding Day
7Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty of the mightiest men of Israel. 8All are skilled with the sword, experienced in warfare. Each has his sword at his side prepared for the terror of the night. 9King Solomon has made his carriage out of the timber of Lebanon.…

Cross References
Psalm 45:3-5
Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor. / In your splendor ride forth in victory on behalf of truth and humility and justice; may your right hand show your awesome deeds. / Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes; the nations fall beneath your feet.

Isaiah 63:1-3
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained.

Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...

2 Samuel 22:35
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Ephesians 6:10-17
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ...

Nehemiah 4:17-18
who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. / And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.

1 Samuel 17:45-47
But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

Jeremiah 50:35-37
A sword is against the Chaldeans, declares the LORD, against those who live in Babylon, and against her officials and wise men. / A sword is against her false prophets, and they will become fools. A sword is against her warriors, and they will be filled with terror. / A sword is against her horses and chariots and against all the foreigners in her midst, and they will become like women. A sword is against her treasuries, and they will be plundered.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Judges 7:20-22
The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” / Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. / And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Zechariah 9:13-14
For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man. / Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord GOD will sound the ram’s horn and advance in the whirlwinds of the south.

1 Chronicles 12:33-38
From Zebulun: 50,000 fit for service, trained for battle with all kinds of weapons of war, who with one purpose were devoted to David. / From Naphtali: 1,000 commanders, accompanied by 37,000 men with shield and spear. / From Dan: 28,600 prepared for battle. ...

Matthew 26:52-54
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. / Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? / But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

1 Kings 10:16-17
King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. / He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.


Treasury of Scripture

They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man has his sword on his thigh because of fear in the night.

all

Psalm 45:3
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

Psalm 149:5-9
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds…

Isaiah 27:3
I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.

because

Nehemiah 4:21,22
So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared…

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober…

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Song of Solomon 3
1. the church's fight and victory in temptation
6. The church glories in Christ














All are skilled with the sword
This phrase highlights the proficiency and readiness of the warriors accompanying Solomon. In ancient Israel, being skilled with the sword was essential for defense and protection. The sword is often a symbol of strength and authority in the Bible, as seen in passages like Ephesians 6:17, where the "sword of the Spirit" is mentioned. The emphasis on skill suggests a disciplined and well-trained group, reflecting the importance of preparedness in spiritual warfare.

Experienced in warfare
The mention of experience in warfare indicates that these men are seasoned soldiers, not novices. This experience would have been crucial in the ancient Near Eastern context, where conflicts and battles were common. The historical context of Israel, surrounded by hostile nations, necessitated a strong military presence. This experience can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual maturity and the ability to withstand trials, as echoed in 2 Timothy 2:3-4, where believers are encouraged to endure hardship as good soldiers of Christ.

Each has his sword at his side
The image of each warrior having his sword at his side signifies readiness and vigilance. In biblical times, carrying a sword was a sign of being prepared for immediate action. This readiness is paralleled in the New Testament, where believers are urged to be watchful and prepared for spiritual battles (1 Peter 5:8). The sword at the side also symbolizes the personal responsibility each believer has in their spiritual journey.

Prepared for the terror of the night
Nighttime in ancient times was often associated with danger and uncertainty, as it was when attacks or robberies were more likely to occur. The phrase "terror of the night" can be linked to Psalm 91:5, which speaks of God's protection from the "terror of night." This preparation reflects the need for constant vigilance and trust in God's protection against spiritual and physical threats. It also points to the assurance that, like these warriors, believers are equipped to face the darkness with confidence in God's provision and strength.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Watchmen
These are the individuals described as skilled with the sword and experienced in warfare. They symbolize protection and vigilance.

2. The Sword
Represents readiness and the ability to defend. In a spiritual sense, it can symbolize the Word of God as a tool for defense.

3. The Night
Often symbolizes danger, uncertainty, or spiritual darkness. The watchmen are prepared for the "terror of the night," indicating a readiness to confront challenges.
Teaching Points
Preparedness in Spiritual Warfare
Just as the watchmen are skilled and ready with their swords, Christians are called to be prepared with the Word of God to face spiritual battles.

Vigilance Against Spiritual Darkness
The night represents times of spiritual darkness or challenges. Believers must remain vigilant and ready to confront these with faith and the truth of Scripture.

The Role of Community in Protection
The watchmen work together to protect. Similarly, the Christian community should support and protect one another through prayer, encouragement, and accountability.

Fearlessness Through Faith
The watchmen's readiness for the terror of the night teaches us to trust in God's protection and not be paralyzed by fear.(8) Because of fear--i.e., because of the alarms common at night. For fear in the sense of object of fear, comp. Psalm 91:5; Proverbs 3:25.

Verse 8. - They all handle the sword, and are expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night. The guard of warriors round the litter secured the bride from any sudden alarm as she travelled through the wilderness, and so gave her quiet rest. The journey from Shunem to Jerusalem would be about fifty miles in a direct course, and it was therefore necessary to pass at least one, if not two, nights on the way; the course being through a wild and solitary region. The Church of God may be often called to pass through dangers and enemies, but he that loveth her will provide against her destruction - she shall have rest in the love cf. her Lord. He will surround her with his strength. "My peace I give unto thee" - provided by me, coming from myself, the fruit of my self-sacrificing love.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
All
כֻּלָּם֙ (kul·lām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

are skilled
אֲחֻ֣זֵי (’ă·ḥu·zê)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural construct
Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession

with the sword,
חֶ֔רֶב (ḥe·reḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

experienced
מְלֻמְּדֵ֖י (mə·lum·mə·ḏê)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3925: To exercise in, learn

in warfare.
מִלְחָמָ֑ה (mil·ḥā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

Each
אִ֤ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

has his sword
חַרְבּוֹ֙ (ḥar·bōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

at
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his side
יְרֵכ֔וֹ (yə·rê·ḵōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3409: Thigh,loin, flank, side

prepared for the terror
מִפַּ֖חַד (mip·pa·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6343: A, alarm

of night.
בַּלֵּילּֽוֹת׃‪‬‪‬ (bal·lê·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 3:8 They all handle the sword and (Song Songs SS So Can)
Song of Solomon 3:7
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