My Sister, My Spouse

These two words that Solomon uses to address the Shulamite are significant—she is his “sister” and “spouse.” The phrase is used only here in this particular section of the book—“spouse” (4:8, 9,10,11,12,5:1) “sister” (4:9,10,12,5:1,2) and the repetition of these terms highlights the characteristic theme of their relationship. One word is of course used literally; she is his spouse, they are married and he is legally committed to her. The other word is used figurative; she is not his sister. This is a term of endearment and he calls her this to highlight a particular aspect of their marriage relationship; i.e. closeness. Spouse is a legal relationship, “sister” is a natural relationship. We might speak in English of “my dear wife” and when the two words are used together we see the completeness of the “psychophysical closeness” of the marriage union.