Topical Encyclopedia Introduction Solomon's Song, also known as the Song of Songs or Canticles, is a unique book within the Old Testament, attributed to King Solomon. It is a poetic and allegorical work that celebrates love, beauty, and the sanctity of marriage. The book is traditionally interpreted as an allegory of the love between God and His people, often seen as a representation of Christ's love for the Church. Authorship and Date The Song of Songs is attributed to Solomon, the son of David, who reigned as king of Israel in the 10th century BC. Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive writings, including proverbs and songs. The opening verse, "Solomon’s Song of Songs" (Song of Solomon 1:1), suggests his authorship. However, some scholars debate the exact date of composition, proposing it could have been written or compiled later during the Solomonic era. Structure and Content The Song of Songs is composed of a series of lyrical poems that express the intimate and passionate love between a bride (often referred to as the Shulammite) and her bridegroom. The book is structured as a dialogue between these two main characters, with occasional interjections from a chorus of friends or daughters of Jerusalem. Key themes include the beauty of love, the longing and desire between lovers, and the joy of union. The language is rich with imagery and metaphor, drawing on the natural world to describe the beloved's beauty and the depth of affection. For example, the bridegroom declares, "You are altogether beautiful, my darling; in you there is no flaw" (Song of Solomon 4:7). Theological Significance From a theological perspective, Solomon's Song is often interpreted allegorically. In Jewish tradition, it is seen as a depiction of the love between God and Israel. In Christian tradition, it is frequently understood as symbolizing the relationship between Christ and the Church. This allegorical interpretation highlights the covenantal love and faithfulness that God extends to His people. The book also underscores the sanctity and beauty of marital love, affirming the goodness of physical and emotional intimacy within the bounds of marriage. It celebrates love as a divine gift, reflecting the Creator's design for human relationships. Key Passages Several passages within Solomon's Song are particularly noteworthy for their poetic beauty and depth of meaning. One of the most famous is the declaration of love's strength and permanence: "Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame" (Song of Solomon 8:6). Another significant passage is the bride's longing for her beloved: "I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies" (Song of Solomon 6:3). This verse encapsulates the mutual belonging and devotion that characterizes the relationship between the lovers. Cultural and Liturgical Use Throughout history, Solomon's Song has been used in both Jewish and Christian liturgical settings. In Jewish tradition, it is read during the Passover festival, symbolizing the covenantal love between God and Israel. In Christian contexts, it has inspired hymns, sermons, and theological reflections on the nature of divine love and the Church's relationship with Christ. Conclusion While Solomon's Song is a complex and often enigmatic book, its enduring appeal lies in its profound exploration of love, both human and divine. Its poetic language and rich symbolism continue to inspire and challenge readers to contemplate the depths of love and the mystery of God's relationship with His people. Smith's Bible Dictionary Solomons Song[CANTICLES]Solomon's Song ATS Bible Dictionary Solomon's SongCalled also CANTICLES, and Song of Songs, B. C. 1012. This highly figurative and beautiful poem has always held a place in the canonical Scriptures, and of course was a part of the Bible in the time of Christ; it was so regarded by the early Christians, and appears in the ancient catalogues, manuscripts, and versions. Numerous and very different opinions have been held as to the subject and plan of this poem; but that its design is to set forth the spiritual love and mutual communion between Christ and his people, is evident from its harmony, when so understood, with the large class of Scripture passages which represent God and particularly Christ as the husband of the church, and employ the marriage relation in its various aspects to illustrate the relation between the Savior and his people. Thus Psalm 45:1-17 is a Messianic nuptial song. See also Isaiah 54:5 62:5 Jeremiah 3:1-25 Ezekiel 16:1-63 Hosea 1:1-3:5 2 1 Corinthians 11:2 Ephesians 5:23-32 Revelation 19:7-9 21:2-9. In the exposition of this beautiful poem we must remember the difference between eastern and western nations. Modern conventional rules and notions. Modern conventional rules and notions are not the standard to which its plan, its images, or its phraseology should be brought. The veiling of spiritual fervor and enjoyment under the symbol of love is common among oriental nations, and commentators have quoted portions of eastern allegorical songs, which bear no small resemblance to this inspired allegory. Many Christians, deeply imbued with the spirit of the gospel, have found great delight and benefit in reading it. Jonathan Edwards says, "I found an inward sweetness that would carry me away in my contemplations. This I know not how to express otherwise than by a calm, delightful abstraction of the soul from all concerns of the world; and sometimes a kind of vision of fixed ideas and imaginations of being alone in the mountains or some solitary wilderness, far from mankind, sweetly conversing with Christ, and rapt and swallowed up in God. The sense I had of divine things would often of a sudden kindle up an ardor in my soul that I knew not how to express. While thus engaged, it always seemed natural to me to sing or chant forth my mediations, or to speak my thoughts in soliloquies with a singing voice." Dr. John Brown of Haddington, in the introduction to his admirable paraphrase of this book, says, "If understood of the marriage and fellowship between Christ and his people, it will appear most exalted, instructive, and heart-warming. Its majestic style, its power on men's conscience to promote holiness and purity the harmony of its language with that of Christ's parables and the books of Revelation, the sincerity of the bride in acknowledging her faults, and its general reception by the Jewish and Christian church, sufficiently prove it inspired of God. To such as read it with a carnal and especially with a wanton mind, it is the savor of death unto death, as the mind and conscience of such are defiled; but to such as have experienced much fellowship with Christ, and read it with a heavenly and spiritual temper of mind, it will be the savor of life unto life. The speakers in it are, Christ, Believers, and the Daughters of Jerusalem," or companions and friends of believers. Library The Royal Pair in their Glorious Chariot The Best Beloved One Worker Preparing for Another Concerning Peaceableness Resources Who are the daughters of Jerusalem in Song of Solomon? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Testament of Solomon? | GotQuestions.org Why does Solomon refer to his wife as his sister (Song of Solomon 4:9)? | GotQuestions.org Solomon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Solomon is Visited by the Queen of Sheba Solomon: An Ancestor of Joseph Solomon: Anointed King a Second Time Solomon: Builds Another House for Pharaoh's Daughter Solomon: Builds his House, the Forest of Lebanon Solomon: Builds Idolatrous Temples Solomon: Cedes some Inferior Cities to Hiram Solomon: Covenant Renewed in a Vision After the Dedication of the Temple Solomon: Divides his Kingdom Into Subsistence Departments Solomon: Drinking Vessels of his Houses Solomon: Extent of his Dominions Solomon: Has Seven-Hundred Wives and Three-Hundred Concubines Solomon: His Prayer for Wisdom, and his Vision Solomon: Imports Apes and Peacocks Solomon: Justice of, Illustrated in his Judgment of the Two Prostitutes Solomon: Marries One of Pharaoh's Daughters Solomon: Military Equipment of Solomon: Musicians and Musical Instruments of his Court Solomon: Named Jedidiah, by Nathan the Prophet Solomon: Plants Vineyards and Orchards of all Kinds of Fruit Trees; Makes Pools Solomon: Prophecies Concerning Solomon: Receives Tribute (Taxes) Solomon: Reigns for Forty Years Solomon: Renews the Courses of the Priests and Levites Solomon: Son of David by Bath-Sheba Solomon: Succeeds David to the Throne of Israel Solomon: The Splendor of his Court Solomon: Their Influence Over Him Related Terms |
    |