(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Song of Songs – derived from the Hebrew Shir HaShirim, meaning “the greatest of songs” or “the most excellent song,” indicating its poetic supremacy. Also known as Song of Solomon in Christian tradition.
• Definition: A poetic collection of love songs expressing the beauty, desire, intimacy, and fidelity of romantic and marital love, interpreted both literally and allegorically in religious traditions.

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Traditionally attributed to Solomon (Song 1:1), though modern scholars suggest it may have been written by an anonymous court poet influenced by Solomonic language and imagery.
• When: Likely composed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC, possibly during Solomon’s reign or compiled later in the post-exilic period.
• Audience: Initially intended for a Hebrew audience celebrating love, marriage, and covenantal joy, with spiritual allegorical meaning added in later interpretative traditions.
• Purpose: To celebrate the goodness of love and desire within the bounds of covenantal relationship, and to reflect divine love, whether between God and Israel or Christ and the Church.

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: A lyrical anthology of love poems using rich imagery, metaphors, repetition, dialogues, and refrains. Poetic devices include parallelism, inclusio, and allegory.
• Key Themes: Love, beauty, desire, intimacy, longing, commitment, mutuality, and covenant faithfulness.
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ The bride and bridegroom have been interpreted as a picture of Christ and His bride, the Church (Eph. 5:25–27; Rev. 21:2).
○ The intense longing and joy of union reflect the intimacy of Christ’s relationship with believers.
○ The language of restoration and garden imagery echoes Eden and anticipates new creation in Christ.
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ The garden symbolises love’s flourishing, purity, and divine presence.
○ Fragrances and spices represent delight, attraction, and divine blessings.
○ The beloved’s body is described in symbolic metaphors emphasising beauty and honour.

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: No fixed plot, but generally structured as a lyrical dialogue between the beloved (female), the lover (male), and the daughters of Jerusalem; organised into cycles of yearning, union, separation, and reunion.
• Canonical Significance: Part of the Wisdom and Poetic Books; often interpreted allegorically in both Jewish and Christian traditions to express divine-human love.
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Complements Psalms (divine love), Proverbs (marital wisdom), and Ecclesiastes (joy in creation).
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Imagery of bride, vineyard, and covenant love echoes themes from Genesis and the Prophets (e.g. Hos. 2, Isa. 62).
○ Connections to the New Testament: Reflects Christ as the Bridegroom and the Church as the Bride (Matt. 25:1–13; John 3:29; Rev. 19:7–9).
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: Not directly prophetic, but spiritually interpreted as messianic love between Christ and His people.
○ Connections with Judaism: Traditionally interpreted as a metaphor of God’s love for Israel; read during Passover to celebrate covenant redemption.
○ Connections with Islam: Solomon is respected as a prophet in Islam, though the Song itself is not part of Islamic scripture.
• Key Passages or Verses: Song 1:2 – “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.” Song 2:4 – “His banner over me is love.” Song 4:7 – “You are altogether beautiful, my darling.” Song 8:6 – “Love is as strong as death.”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: The poet constructs a tapestry of love poetry to portray beauty, desire, and mutual affection with theological resonance.
• Who are the Main Characters: The beloved (the Shulammite woman), the lover (often associated with Solomon), the daughters of Jerusalem, and symbolic elements like the watchmen and the vineyard.

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – Implicit as the Creator of love, beauty, and covenant intimacy; the divine overseer of relational holiness.
○ The Son – Allegorically seen as the Bridegroom of the Church, pursuing and delighting in His redeemed people.
○ The Holy Spirit – Implied in the joy, inspiration, and sacredness of divine love and poetic expression.
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Solomon is indirectly referenced, representing royal majesty and wisdom. The song provides a prophetic vision of love fulfilled in covenant.
• Role of the Church: Interpreted as the bride of Christ, called to purity, longing, and joyful union with the Saviour.
• Role of Men and Women: Celebrates mutual respect, attraction, and covenantal union between man and woman as designed by God.

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Set in a range of pastoral and urban landscapes—vineyards, gardens, Jerusalem, Lebanon—offering a rich sensory and symbolic world.
• Historical Context: Likely composed in a royal or courtly setting with access to literary refinement; reflects cultural appreciation for love and poetic artistry.
• Cultural Context: Marriage and betrothal customs, gender roles, and celebration of beauty in ancient Israel are portrayed with poetic idealism and dignity.

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: Love poetry was common in Egyptian and Mesopotamian literature; Song of Songs is unique in its theological framing and mutual, dignified expression.
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Stylistically influenced by ancient love songs but distinguished by its monotheistic and moral integrity.
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Elevates romantic love within the bounds of commitment and spiritual value, contrasting with pagan sensuality.
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Use in wedding rituals and festive celebrations,
   ○ Poetic expression of love and longing,
   ○ Allegorical readings in synagogue and church traditions.

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Bridges human love and divine love; affirms creation’s goodness and offers an intimate metaphor for God’s redemptive relationship.
2. Theological Significance: Celebrates the sanctity of love, mutuality in relationships, and the longing for union—both human and spiritual.
3. Spiritual Themes: Love, desire, beauty, faithfulness, intimacy, joy, covenant, longing, and divine presence.
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: True love reflects divine design. Desire and intimacy are sacred when aligned with God’s purposes. Spiritual longing and satisfaction are found in union with Christ.
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Interpreted allegorically as Christ’s love for His Church; used in mystical theology and devotional literature (e.g. Bernard of Clairvaux).
6. Historical Reception: Revered by both Jewish and Christian interpreters; debated for its sensual content, yet widely accepted for its deep spiritual symbolism.

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Complements the canon by celebrating love and covenant, echoing Edenic innocence and prophetic passion.
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Read during Passover to symbolise God’s love for Israel; allegorical interpretation has deep rabbinic roots.
3. Connections with Islam: Solomon is honoured, though the Song’s themes are not echoed in the Qur’an; Islamic poetry explores similar concepts of divine love.
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Inspired countless hymns, operas, mystical works, and literary metaphors of divine-human love.
5. Scientific Perspectives: Provides insight into human psychology, relational attachment, beauty, and the theological grounding of sexuality.
6. Global Perspective: Its universal themes of love, desire, and union resonate across cultures, making it a timeless poetic expression of human longing and divine intimacy.

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: Highly valued in mystical traditions as a symbolic journey of the soul toward divine union, often interpreted as a spiritual romance.
2. Comparative Mythology: Contrasts with fertility myths by presenting a monogamous, joyful, sacred view of love grounded in moral and relational purity.
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Affirms the dignity of human love, the unity of body and soul, the sanctity of desire, and the harmony of emotion and faith.
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Celebrate and honour romantic love as a divine gift,
   ○ Pursue mutual respect and emotional intimacy in marriage,
   ○ View desire as holy when guided by covenant,
   ○ Reflect divine love in human relationships.
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Offers a countercultural vision of love amid modern confusion about sex, commitment, identity, and relational fidelity.

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Tension between literal and allegorical readings; understanding symbolic language and cultural metaphors; managing the balance of erotic and sacred dimensions.
2. Theological Debates: Is the book primarily about human love or divine love? How should sensual language be treated in Scripture? What is its role in theology of the body and marriage?
3. Key Questions Addressed: What is the nature of true love? How does desire reflect spiritual longing? How can human intimacy reveal divine truth? What does covenantal love look like in relationships and in salvation history?