And is not yet marriageable.
What shall we do for our sister,
When she shall be demanded in marriage?
ANOTHER BROTHER.
9 If she be like a wall,
We will build upon her a silver turret.
But if she be like a door,
We will enclose her with boards of cedar.
THE SHULAMITE.
10 I am like a wall,
And my bosom is as towers!
Then I was in his eyes
brothers are here introduced, on the arrival of the Shulamite, as repeating the promise which they had once given to their sister if she kept virtuous, and, when espoused, remained true to her vows. One of the brothers inquires of the others what they should do for the Shulamite when she reached womanhood, and is demanded in marriage. [HE: 'a:HvOt lonv.], i.q. [HE: 'a:HvOtEynv.], our sister, and is well rendered by the Sept. [GR: a)delfê\ ê(mô=n], the Vulg. soror nostra, Luther, unsere Schwester. The adjective [HE: qoTvOn/], like [HE: godvOl], prop. denoting size, is also used with reference to age. Gen. ix. 24; xxvii. 15; Judg. xv. 2. [HE: S/odayim/ 'Eyn/ loh.], i.e. she has not yet reached puberty. [HE: b.^eyvOm/=], when, Gen. ii. 4. [HE: dib.Er b.^e], to speak for, to demand in marriage, 1 Sam. xiii. 9; xxv. 39.
9 If she be like a wall, &c. To this inquiry the second brother replied, that if, having reached that age, she should firmly resist every allurement as a battlement resists the attack of an enemy, they would decorate her as an impregnable wall; i.e. highly reward her. The expression "wall" is figuratively used for impregnability, Jer. ii. 18; so Immanuel, [HE: S`mdh hzqh] [HE: khvmh]. The silver turret here mentioned most probably refers to the silver horn, a highly prized ornament which women wear on their heads. "One of the most extraordinary parts of the attire of their females" (Druses of Lebanon), says Dr. Macmichael, is a silver horn, sometimes studded with jewels, worn on the head in various positions, distinguishing different conditions. A married woman has it affixed to the right side of the head, a widow to the left, and a virgin is pointed out by its being placed on the very crown. Over this silver projection the long veil is thrown, with which they so completely conceal their faces as to rarely have more than one eye (vide supra, chap. iv. 9), visible." Comp. also Bowring, Report on Syria, p. 8.
But if she be like a door, &c. That is, accessible (vide supra, chap. iv. 12), she shall be barricaded with cedar planks—be punished by being locked up. The word "door" is metaphorically used for open to seduction. The cedar wood is mentioned because it is exceedingly strong, and increases the idea of strict vigilance. Similarly Immanuel, [HE: v'm/ dlt Skbr nptH nxvr `lyh] [HE: lrH 'rz klm# nby'h bmxvr vnsgvr b`dh Sl'=] [HE: tr'h{,} vklvh 'dz Shvh hzq vtqyp/].
10. I am a wall, &c. The Shulamite now triumphantly responds, that she had proved impregnable as a wall, and had now reached womanhood, and therefore the promised reward was due to her. [HE: S/oday k.am.ig^edolvOt], i.q. [HE: S/oday nokOnv.], Ezek. xvi. 7, is well explained by Rashbam, [HE: hgy` zmny lhynS'], my time for marriage has arrived, and is an answer to [HE: S/odayim/ 'Eyn/ loh.], in the preceding verse.
Then I was in his eyes, &c. That
