Song of Solomon 1:8

THE IRONIC RETORT OF THE HAREM WOMEN

"If thou know not, O thou fairest among women,

Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock,

And feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents."

"This verse contains the response of the chorus."[15] What chorus? The scene here is that of Solomon's harem. These had overheard her soliloquy, longing to find her true love; and their ironic and contemptuous answer is in this verse. "Let her go and find him for herself. `Go back to your shepherd life'; feed the kids by a shepherd's tent."[16] In jest, they referred to her, "O thou fairest among women"! One can almost hear their sadistic laughter. "If thou know not," these words carry the sneer that, "If you are such an ignoramus as to prefer life with a shepherd to what you will get here, go ahead. Go back to your lover."