The Shulamite is a central figure in the Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, which is a poetic book in the Old Testament. The identity of the Shulamite is not explicitly detailed in the text, but she is traditionally understood to be the beloved of Solomon, the king of Israel. Her account is a rich tapestry of love, desire, and mutual admiration, and she is often seen as a symbol of beauty and purity.

Biblical References

The Shulamite is introduced in the Song of Solomon, where she is the primary female voice. The book opens with her expressions of love and longing: "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is more delightful than wine" (Song of Solomon 1:2). Her voice is prominent throughout the text, as she describes her deep affection for her beloved and her desire for union with him.

The name "Shulamite" appears in Song of Solomon 6:13: "Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon you." The term "Shulamite" is often thought to denote her origin, possibly from the town of Shunem, though this is not definitively established in the text.

Character and Symbolism

The Shulamite is portrayed as a woman of striking beauty and grace. Her physical appearance is described in vivid detail, emphasizing her allure and the admiration she receives from her beloved and others. For instance, in Song of Solomon 4:1, her beloved praises her: "How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil."

Beyond her physical beauty, the Shulamite is also depicted as a woman of deep emotional and spiritual depth. Her love for her beloved is not merely physical but encompasses a profound emotional and spiritual connection. This is evident in her declaration: "I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine" (Song of Solomon 6:3), which underscores the mutual and exclusive nature of their relationship.

Theological Interpretations

In Christian theology, the Song of Solomon, and by extension the Shulamite, has been interpreted allegorically to represent the relationship between Christ and the Church. The Shulamite's longing and devotion are seen as a reflection of the Church's love for Christ and the desire for spiritual union with Him. This interpretation highlights the themes of love, fidelity, and the beauty of a committed relationship.

The Shulamite's journey throughout the Song of Solomon is also seen as a metaphor for the soul's journey towards divine love and fulfillment. Her experiences of seeking, finding, and rejoicing in her beloved mirror the spiritual quest for a deeper relationship with God.

Cultural and Historical Context

The Song of Solomon is a unique book within the biblical canon, characterized by its poetic and romantic language. The Shulamite's presence in this book reflects the cultural appreciation for love and beauty in ancient Israel. Her role as a beloved figure in the text underscores the value placed on romantic love and the celebration of marital intimacy.

The Shulamite's account has inspired countless interpretations, artistic representations, and theological reflections throughout history. Her character continues to be a source of fascination and inspiration for readers seeking to understand the nature of love, both human and divine.The Shulamite

one of the personages in the poem of Solomon's (Solomon 6:13) The name denotes a woman belonging to a place called Shulem, which is probably the same as Shunem. [SHUNEM] If, then, Shulamite and Shunammite are equivalent, we may conjecture that the Shunammite who was the object of Solomon's passion was Abishag, the most lovely girl of her day, and at the time of David's death the most prominent person at Jerusalem.

7759. Shulammith -- heroine of the Song of Solomon
... Shulamite. From shalam; peaceful (with the article always prefixed, making it a
pet name); the Shulammith, an epithet of Solomon's queen -- Shulamite. ...
/hebrew/7759.htm - 6k

Return, Return, O Shulamite! Return, Return, that we May Look Upon ...
... CHAPTER VI. 12. Return, return, O Shulamite! return, return, that we may
look upon thee. The ... grief. Return, they cry, O Shulamite! ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/12 return return o shulamite.htm

Verse 1. What Will Ye See in the Shulamite, but the Companies of ...
... CHAPTER VII. VERSE 1. What will ye see in the Shulamite, but the companies of camps?
How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/verse 1 what will ye.htm

Chapter vi.
... 13. Return, return, O Shulamite! return, return, that we may look upon thee.12.
Return, return, O Shulamite! return, return that we may look upon thee. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter vi.htm

Song of Songs of Solomon
... Aminadab. 12. Return, return, O Shulamite! return ... thee. CHAPTER VII. VERSE 1. What
will ye see in the Shulamite, but the companies of camps? 2 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair ...
... without possibility of flattery. But does He who is wiser than Solomon
condescend to praise this sunburnt Shulamite? Tis even so ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/fragrant spices from the mountains.htm

Chapter vii
... Anglican version. Vulgate. 1. What will ye see in the Shulamite, but the companies
of camps? 1. How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter vii.htm

Thou that Dwellest in the Gardens, the Companions Hearken to Thy ...
... principal functions of the Spouse, to instruct and teach the interior life to the
beloved of the Bridegroom, who have not as near access to Him as the Shulamite ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/13 thou that dwellest in.htm

Fruits of Recognized Union
... But One, more to her than the daughters of Jerusalem, responded to her unaffected
question, "What will ye see in the Shulamite?" The Bridegroom Himself replies ...
/.../taylor/union and communion/section v fruits of recognized.htm

Introductory
... In the last four sections they style her "the fairest among women," but in the fifth
she is spoken of as "the Shulamite," or the King's bride, and also as the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/union and communion/introductory.htm

Prayer in the Unconverted.
... As the Shulamite calls for her bridegroom, so does the praying soul, from the consuming
desire of love, pray and thirst for the possession of its Maker and to ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xli prayer in the unconverted.htm

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