There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number.
A royal court comes into view: rows of queens, a larger group of secondary wives, and young women beyond counting. Against that whole crowd the Bridegroom sets one bride, so why are the many counted at all?
The court behind the picture
The three ranks named here belonged to the real world of an eastern king. Solomon's own household ran far past the numbers in this verse, and it cost him:
Morrish Bible DictionaryWhen God spoke of Israel having a king, one of the things forbidden to him was taking many wives. The danger was that his heart would turn away (Deuteronomy 17:17). This, sadly, was the very fall of Solomon, who had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and they did turn his heart away (1 Kings 11:3). In the Song we read of 60 queens and 80 concubines and virgins without number. But there was one, a choice one, the only one of her mother, who excelled them all — the bride of the song.
The three words are not loose synonyms. Standing side by side, they fix the sense of the third — as the Septuagint, the early Greek translation of the Old Testament, confirms:
William KellyIn Solomon's Song (Song 6:8), the Septuagint translates the Hebrew term as neanides. Here the strict meaning of virgins is certain. The word stands apart from the words for queens and concubines. Like our word "maidens," it can only be used as "virgins."
Counting the many, loving the one
The numbers rise and then break off into "without number." Notice what the Bridegroom has stopped saying by this point in the Song:
J. N. DarbyBefore, when speaking of her, He added to the gentleness and beauty of her appearance all the graces seen in her. He spoke of the honey that flowed from her lips, the pleasant fruits found in her, and the sweet scents which He called on the breath of the Spirit to bring out. He does not repeat these things now. He speaks of what she is for Him. Having described her personal beauty, His heart dwells on what she is to Himself. "My dove, my undefiled, is but one." His affection can see no other: none can be compared with her. There are many others, but they are not the one whom He loves.
A crowd of nations
Commentators read this court as a picture of the nations gathered around a restored Jerusalem:
Andrew MillerThis verse, we have no doubt, refers to a scene in the coming reign of Christ on earth. It follows the union of the two nations. The cities of Judah and the nations of the earth fill up the scene of glory. Jerusalem has the first place.
Praise spoken in public
Up to now the Bridegroom has spoken to the bride. Here He speaks about her, in front of everyone else:
Hamilton SmithHe is not content to assure the bride's heart of his unchanging love and appreciation. He goes further: he will vindicate her before others. All the world shall know that he has loved her, and that she has a unique place in his affections. There may be other queens and other wives, but his bride holds a supreme place in his affections. None can compare with her. By unfolding before others all that she is to him, he wins the world's praise for his bride. So it will be with restored Israel among the nations in a day to come. And so it will be when at last the wanderings of the church are over... And is it otherwise with a restored soul? The Lord not only restores failing Peter in secret to communion with Himself. He also owns and honours him openly in His service.
Love that survived her failure
She has a fault to answer for. Here is how He speaks to her:
The Bible TreasuryHe does not wait to hear her excuses for her fault. He speaks, not to scold or condemn, but to assure her of her beauty in his eyes... As before, he has but one object of special delight — herself. "There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number. My dove, my undefiled is but one." How perfect was his love! It had an object from the beginning of the song from which nothing would divert it. Unworthy of it she was, but he could not change.
Summary
- Many. Sixty queens, eighty concubines, countless maidens. This is a real royal household — the very thing that ruined Solomon. Here it is only the backdrop for one bride.
- One. The crowd is counted; the bride is not compared. He sees others, but they are not the one He loves.
- Whole. The court pictures the nations gathered in the coming kingdom. Jerusalem holds first place.
- Public. Private reassurance is not enough. He says what she is worth out loud, just as the Lord restored Peter in secret and then honoured him in public.
- Unchanged. This praise falls on a bride fresh from failure. His love had one object from the start, and nothing could turn it away.