In the Song of Solomon, Solomon refers to his wife as his sister four times. The first two times are found in Song of Solomon 4:9-10.

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!

Song of Solomon 4:9-10 (NIV)

The other two times Solomon refers to his wife as his sister are in Song of Solomon 4:12 and 5:1. As Christians, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, when you see Solomon calling his wife his sister, you’re probably like me and think it’s the same sort of thing. That’s to say, Solomon didn’t marry his flesh and blood sister.

However, in Song of Solomon 8:1, the Shulammite woman (Solomon’s bride) refers to Solomon as her brother. Again, considering the concept of family within the body of Christ, we could apply the same theory we used when Solomon called his wife his sister. Except there appears to be something “different” going on. Take a look and see what that is below.

If only you were to me like a brother, who was nursed at my mother’s breasts! Then, if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me (emphasis added).

Song of Solomon 8:1 (NIV)

In this verse, the Shulammite woman doesn’t call Solomon her brother. Instead, she wishes Solomon was “like a brother” to her. Why? So she could kiss him in public, and no one would think twice about it. If you’re like me, you’re wondering what’s happening here.

The reasoning behind the Shulammite woman’s desire for her husband to be like a brother to her is similar to Solomon calling her his sister. At that time, calling one’s wife a sister was a term of endearment and a common expression revealing the relationship’s closeness, love, and permanence. Unlike a husband and wife who could get a divorce, familial ties can never be broken. Furthermore, the love expressed between siblings in public was never frowned upon, as was intimacy between a husband and wife.

Therefore, when the Shulammite woman expressed a desire for her husband to be like her brother, she declared that she wanted to freely express intimacy for him in public as she could a brother without anyone criticizing them.

Even today, some people frown on public displays of affection (PDA). Indeed, in Dubai, you can be arrested for kissing, hugging, or even holding hands in public. Even within Christianity, some believe that PDAs should be kept at a minimum. To an extent, I agree with the idea of public restraint. After all, there are things we do in private that belong in private, but as with all things, Christians should behave in a manner that honors God. Whether they are in public or not.