Why are concubines mentioned alongside queens in Song of Solomon 6:8? Context of Song of Solomon 6:8 “Sixty queens there may be and eighty concubines, and maidens without number.” This verse appears in the beloved’s praise of the Shulammite (6:4-10). It names three tiers of women—queens, concubines, maidens—immediately before declaring, “but my dove, my perfect one, is unique” (6:9). The enumeration frames a contrast: among all possible royal women, one stands incomparable. The mention of concubines, therefore, is not incidental but integral to the literary strategy of exclusivity. The Royal Harem in the Ancient Near East Royal households of the 2nd–1st millennia BC routinely classified women by rank: • Queens (Akk. šarratu), typically political wives sealed by covenant. • Concubines (Akk. esirtu), secondary wives acquired by bride-price or as gifts. • Maidens (Heb. עֲלָמוֹת ʿălāmôth), unmarried virgins, often servants in the palace. Tablets from Mari (18th c. BC; Archives A.1126) list “the queen, five esirtum, and numerous young women.” Pharaoh Thutmose III’s Karnak Annals record “wives, concubines, and young girls, without number.” Such finds corroborate the tri-part hierarchy reflected in Songs 6:8. Historical Reality of Solomon’s Harem 1 Kings 11:3 records “700 wives, princesses, and 300 concubines.” Song of Solomon likely reflects an earlier period—perhaps the beginning of Solomon’s reign (c. 970 BC, Ussher’s chronology 2990 AM)—when the harem was smaller: 60–80 women fit the early court but still demonstrate royal opulence. Archaeological parallels: The Tel Gezer calendar (10th c. BC) and administrative ostraca from Tel Qasile show infrastructure capable of supporting large households, including storage allocations labeled “for the king’s women.” The Rhetorical Purpose within the Song 1. Superlative Love: By listing all ranks, the poet prepares the climax: “My dove, my perfect one, is the only one” (6:9). The mention of concubines magnifies exclusivity. 2. Public Acclamation: The chorus (6:9b) echoes court women praising the beloved; even the concubines acknowledge her triumph, underscoring unity under true love. 3. Social Realism: The Song’s realism roots its poetry in actual royal life, enhancing credibility and sensory immediacy. Theological Considerations Scripture sometimes describes but does not prescribe concubinage. Genesis 2:24 establishes the monogamous ideal; polygyny in the patriarchal-monarchic era reflects human hardness (cf. Deuteronomy 17:17; Matthew 19:8). By contrasting true love against a backdrop of tolerated but imperfect arrangements, Songs 6:8 implicitly critiques quantity-based affection and affirms covenantal exclusivity—a foreshadowing of Christ’s singular love for His Church (Ephesians 5:25-27). Biblical Ethics of Marriage and Concubinage Concubines possessed legal protections (Exodus 21:8-11) yet lacked full heir rights (Genesis 25:6). Conduct is descriptive, not normative. Progressive revelation peaks in the New Covenant, restoring Edenic one-flesh monogamy (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6). Thus, the Song’s mention educates readers on ancient customs while pointing to the better standard. Typological and Christological Implications Solomon—type of Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-14)—signals the greater Solomon (Matthew 12:42). Just as one beloved outshines Solomon’s harem, the one Church comprises those redeemed out of every nation, surpassing all claimants (Revelation 19:7-8). Concubines and queens symbolize worldly allegiances; only the bride enjoys covenantal intimacy. Practical Application for Believers The verse invites believers to: 1. Celebrate covenant faithfulness over cultural norms. 2. Recognize God’s redemptive trajectory: from tolerated concubinage to the pure marriage of Christ and His bride. 3. Value exclusivity and intimacy in marriage, resisting a culture of commodified relationships. 4. Marvel at grace: though multitudes exist, Christ calls each redeemed sinner His “only one.” Concubines stand alongside queens in Songs 6:8 to highlight both the historical setting and the transcendent message—true love, covenantal and exclusive, eclipses every rival affection. |
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