Song of Solomon 3:8

They all hold swords This is a circumstantial and descriptive clause, and their holding swords is not meant to be explained by expert in war, as the insertion of -being" in the A.V. might suggest. Rather it should be rendered, Threescore valiant men all of them with swords in their hands, and trained to war, each with his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night, i.e. to ward off danger that might arise in the night. The mention of -night" here probably suggested the translation of miṭṭâhas -bed." The Heb. word translated - hold" in the A.V. has the form of a passive participle, but must be translated as active. Cp. Ges.-K. Gramm. § 50 f.