Introduction:
Canticles, also known as the Song of Solomon or the Song of Songs, is a book in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is traditionally attributed to King Solomon and is considered one of the poetic books of the Bible. The title "Song of Songs" suggests it is the greatest of all songs, indicating its significance and beauty.

Authorship and Date:
The authorship of Canticles is traditionally ascribed to Solomon, as indicated in the opening verse: "Solomon’s Song of Songs" (Song of Solomon 1:1). Solomon, known for his wisdom and literary contributions, is believed to have composed this work during his reign in the 10th century BC. However, some scholars suggest it may have been written later, drawing on Solomonic traditions.

Structure and Content:
Canticles is a lyrical poem that celebrates love and desire between a bride (often referred to as the Shulammite) and her beloved, presumed to be Solomon. The book is structured as a series of dialogues and monologues, rich in imagery and metaphor. It is divided into eight chapters, each contributing to the overarching theme of love.

Themes:
1. Love and Marriage: The primary theme of Canticles is the beauty and sanctity of love and marriage. The intimate relationship between the bride and her beloved is depicted with vivid imagery, emphasizing the joy and fulfillment found in marital love. This is evident in passages such as, "I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine" (Song of Solomon 6:3).

2. Beauty and Desire: The book frequently describes the physical beauty and allure of the lovers, using nature and garden imagery. The bride is often praised for her beauty, as in, "How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how very beautiful!" (Song of Solomon 4:1).

3. Union and Separation: The narrative oscillates between moments of union and separation, reflecting the dynamics of love. The longing for the beloved during times of absence is poignantly expressed, "I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but did not find him" (Song of Solomon 3:1).

4. Symbolism and Allegory: While the literal interpretation focuses on human love, Canticles has been traditionally viewed as an allegory of the relationship between God and His people, Israel, or Christ and the Church. This allegorical interpretation highlights divine love and covenantal faithfulness.

Interpretation:
Canticles has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. The literal interpretation celebrates human love and the sanctity of marriage. The allegorical interpretation, favored by many Church Fathers, sees the book as a depiction of the spiritual love between God and His people. This dual interpretation underscores the depth and richness of the text.

Liturgical and Devotional Use:
Canticles has been used in Jewish and Christian liturgies, particularly during weddings and religious festivals. Its poetic expressions of love and devotion make it a cherished text for meditation and reflection on the nature of divine and human love.

Conclusion:
Canticles remains a profound and enigmatic book within the biblical canon. Its celebration of love, both human and divine, continues to inspire and challenge readers to explore the depths of relational intimacy and spiritual devotion.Canticles

(Song of Songs), entitled in the Authorized Version THE SONG OF SOLOMON. It was probably written by Solomon about B.C. 1012. It may be called a drama, as it contains the dramatic evolution of a simple love-story. Meaning. -- The schools of interpretation may be divided into three: the mystical or typical, the allegorical, and the literal .

1. The mystical interpretation owes its origin to the desire to find a literal basis of fact for the allegorical. This basis is either the marriage of Solomon with Pharoah's daughter or his marriage with an Israelitish woman, the Shulamite.
2. The allegorical. According to the Talmud the beloved is taken to be God; the loved one , or bride, is the congregation of Israel . In the Christian Church the Talmudical interpretation, imported by Origen, was all but universally received.
3. The literal interpretation. According to the most generally-received interpretation of the modern literalists, the Song is intended to display the victory of humble and constant love over the temptations of wealth and royalty. Canonicity. -- The book has been rejected from the Canon by some critics; but in no case has its rejection been defended on external grounds. It is found in the LXX. and in the translations of Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion. It is contained in the catalog given in the Talmud,a nd in the catalogue of Melito; and in short we have the same evidence for its canonicity as that which is commonly adduced for the canonicity of any book of the Old Testament.

(n.) Plural of Canticle.CANTICLES

kan'-ti-k'-lz.

See SONG OF SONGS.

Canticles 4:12 the Lord's Garden.
... CHAPTER XV Canticles 4:12. THE LORD'S GARDEN. THE Lord Jesus Christ has a garden.
It is the company of all who are true believers in Him. They are His garden. ...
/.../chapter xv canticles 4 12 the.htm

The Interpretation of that Passage of the Canticles.
... Discourse VII."Procilla. Chapter II."The Interpretation of that Passage
of the Canticles. Consider now, O virgins, that, in ...
/.../chapter ii the interpretation of that.htm

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... SECOND DIVISION: PARTICULAR INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER XXI. THE POETICAL BOOKS
(INCLUDING ALSO ECCLESIASTES AND CANTICLES). 1. The Hebrews ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm

Whether God Should be Praised with Song?
... For the Apostle says (Col.3:16): "Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms,
hymns and spiritual canticles." Now we should employ nothing in the divine ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether god should be praised 2.htm

We Come Next in the Order of Belief to the Holy Church. We have ...
... and I will not sit with the ungodly." But of this Church which keeps the faith of
Christ entire, hear what the Holy Spirit says in the Canticles, "My dove is ...
/.../39 we come next in.htm

It is Related Also that vinegar was Given Him to Drink, or Wine ...
... bitterness." And again, the Prophet upbraiding them says, "Oh foolish people and
unwise, have ye thus requited the Lord?" Moreover, in the Canticles the same ...
/.../26 it is related also.htm

Of the Old Testament, Therefore, First of all There have Been ...
... Solomon gave three books to the Churches, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticles. ... Solomon
gave three books to the Churches, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticles. ...
/.../37 of the old testament.htm

How Holy Benevolence Produces the Praise of the Divine Well ...
... run over the wonders of the divine goodness, immolated on the altar of his heart
the mystic victim of the utterances of his voice, by canticles and psalms of ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii how holy benevolence.htm

Of the Supreme Effect of Affective Love, which is the Death of the ...
... his eyes towards heaven, raising his voice very high, and pronouncing by way of
ejaculation with great fervour, these words of the Canticles (the last which he ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ix of the supreme.htm

Liturgical Use.
... is said to have been added by Pope Damasus I., who also transposed v.56 to stand
as the finale of the Song (see James M'Swiney, Psalms and Canticles, Lond.1901 ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/liturgical use.htm

Canticles
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Canticle. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. CANTICLES. kan'-ti-k'-lz. See SONG OF SONGS. ...
/c/canticles.htm - 6k

Songs (100 Occurrences)
... V. CLOSING HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS LITERATURE The full title in Hebrew is "The So
of Songs, which is Solomon's." The book is called by some Canticles, and by ...
/s/songs.htm - 62k

Song (207 Occurrences)
... V. CLOSING HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS LITERATURE The full title in Hebrew is "The So
of Songs, which is Solomon's." The book is called by some Canticles, and by ...
/s/song.htm - 78k

Apple (8 Occurrences)
... It is enumerated among the most valuable trees of Palestine (Joel 1:12), and frequently
referred to in Canticles, and noted for its beauty (2:3, 5; 8:5). There ...
/a/apple.htm - 17k

Vulgate
... Gallican Psalter. The preface to Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticles and
Chronicles is extant to show he had revised these books. Job ...
/v/vulgate.htm - 38k

Preacher (27 Occurrences)
... Concerning this tradition two facts are to be noted: First, it classes Ecclesiastes
with the 5 miscellaneous books (Canticles, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes ...
/p/preacher.htm - 48k

Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)
... Concerning this tradition two facts are to be noted: First, it classes Ecclesiastes
with the 5 miscellaneous books (Canticles, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes ...
/e/ecclesiastes.htm - 27k

Ostraca
... idic New Testament. A Christian hymn to Mary, akin to the canticles of
Luke, and some Christian letters have been found. The work ...
/o/ostraca.htm - 10k

Poetry
... as criticism, it may unhesitatingly be affirmed that the Hebrew Scriptures contain
a goodly amount of genuine poetry; compare the Psalms, Job, Canticles, etc. ...
/p/poetry.htm - 48k

Lily (9 Occurrences)
... They supplied models for the ornaments of the pillars and the molten sea" (1 Kings
7:19, 22, 26; 2 Chronicles 4:5). In the Canticles its beauty and fragrance ...
/l/lily.htm - 15k

Summary of the Song of Solomon - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What is the Doxology? | GotQuestions.org

Canticles: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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