1. INTRODUCTION1. INTRODUCTION

• Is “God” mentioned in the Song of Songs?

• ANS: NO

1. INTRODUCTION1. INTRODUCTION

• Is “the LORD” mentioned in the Song of Songs?

• ANS: NO/YES

1. INTRODUCTION1. INTRODUCTION

Song 8:6

1. INTRODUCTION1. INTRODUCTION

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. (NIV)

Song 8:6

1. INTRODUCTION1. INTRODUCTION

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. (NIV)

“Put me like a seal over your heart,Like a seal on your arm.For love is as strong as death,Jealousy is as severe as Sheol;Its flashes are flashes of fire,The very flame of the Lord. (NASB)

Song 8:6

1. INTRODUCTION1. INTRODUCTION

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. (NIV)

“Put me like a seal over your heart,Like a seal on your arm.For love is as strong as death,Jealousy is as severe as Sheol;Its flashes are flashes of fire,The very flame of the Lord. (NASB)

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. (KJV)

Song 8:6

1. INTRODUCTION1. INTRODUCTION

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. (NIV)

“Put me like a seal over your heart,Like a seal on your arm.For love is as strong as death,Jealousy is as severe as Sheol;Its flashes are flashes of fire,The very flame of the Lord. (NASB)

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. (KJV)

Set me as a seal upon your heart,    as a seal upon your arm,for love is strong as death,    jealousy is fierce as the grave.Its flashes are flashes of fire,    the very flame of the Lord. (ESV)

Song 8:6

1. INTRODUCTION1. INTRODUCTION

NO MENTION OF GOD!

1. INTRODUCTION1. INTRODUCTION

It is by Divine providence that this book is included in the canon as inspired Scripture: “…by its very inclusion in the canon, it reminds us of a love that is purer than our own.” E. J. Young, An Introduction to the Old Testament, rev. ed. (Grand Rapids: 1958), 354

2. TITLE2. TITLEA) In Hebrew the title is ~yrIyVih ryvi Shir has‑shirim (“Song Song

of Songsof Songs”) is derived from 1:1 `hmol{v.li rv,a] ~yrIyVih ryvi Shir has‑shirim asher lishelomoh which means “song of songs of/to Solomon.”

I) The expression “Song of Songs” is a superlative genitive, meaning the finest songthe finest song or the most beautiful song (which is of Solomon).

B) The Greek title Asma Asmaton and the Latin title Canticum Canticorum also mean “Song of Songs” or “The Best Song.”

A) The name ‘Canticles’, meaning ‘songs’ is derived from the Latin title.

C) The other (less accurate) English title ‘Song of Solomon’ is derived from 1:1.

3. AUTHORSHIP/DATE3. AUTHORSHIP/DATEA)The traditional view of both Jewish and Christian

scholars has been that SolomonSolomon himself wrote this song during his early years. Internal evidences:

I) The book ascribes the authorship of the song-poem in 1:1 to Solomon, son of David,

II) His name appears 77 times in the book (1:5;3:7,9,11;8:11,12), but he is never explicitly named as the author.

III)The Song’s lavish settinglavish setting accurately reflects Solomon’s glory (3:6-11).1. The lover boasted of 60 queens, 80 concubines and virgins

beyond number (6:8).

a. This fits Solomon’s lifestyle (1 Kings 11:3).

3. AUTHORSHIP/DATE3. AUTHORSHIP/DATEIV. Solomon’s skill as a songwritersongwriter is attested to in 1 Kings

4:32.

V. Solomon’s wide knowledge of trees, animals, birds, insects, fish (1 Kings 4:33) is also reflected in the book’s wide mention of:

1. Plants (21 types) and

2. Animals (15 types).

3. All in, the Song refers to 15 geographic locations from Lebanon in the north to Egypt in the south.

VI. The writer speaks of northern kingdom northern kingdom locationslocations as if they were still part of an undivided kingdom (e.g. Lebanon, Hermon, Tizrah, Damascus, and Carmel).

3B. Arguments for Non-Solomonic 3B. Arguments for Non-Solomonic AuthorAuthor

I) References to Solomon are in the 33rdrd person.

II) More likely, the author is an admirer of SolomonSolomon and a supporter of the wisdom literary traditions.

III)III) 1:1 may mean “which is about or 1:1 may mean “which is about or concerning Solomon.” concerning Solomon.”

3C. Summary3C. Summary

I) Part of the Song may have been written originally in honor of one of King Solomon’s weddings, and later became part of the standard musical of every wedding.

Generally speaking, “there would seem to be little valid reason for objecting to the traditional

attribution of authorship to Solomon" (R.K. Harrison).

5) LITERARY NATURE5) LITERARY NATURE

HEBREW POETRY/POETICAL BOOKS

Sub-Genre Style

Songs/PoetryWisdom

ProverbialSpeculativ

eLyric

(Originally accompanied by music & possessing strong emotions.) Psalms    

Didactic (Teaches principles about life by means of proverbs or maxims.)

  ProverbsEcclesiaste

s

Dramatic(Dialogue between people in

poetical form.)Song of Songs   Job

Lament(Poetical expression of sorrow or

lamentations.)Lamentations    

5) LITERARY NATURE5) LITERARY NATURE

HEBREW POETRY/POETICAL BOOKS

Sub-Genre Style

Songs Song-WisdomWisdom

Proverbial

Speculative

Lyric (Originally accompanied by music & possessing strong

emotions.)Psalms    

Didactic (Teaches principles about life by means of proverbs

or maxims.)

  ProverbsEcclesias

tes

Dramatic(Dialogue between people

in poetical form.)

Song of Songs   Job

Lament(Poetical expression of

sorrow or lamentations.)

Lament-ations

   

5B) Characteristics5B) Characteristics

I. The Song is more than a song. It is a vivid and sensuous drama in song. “It is a ballad about human romance, written in the style of ancient Near Eastern lyric poetry.”

“Every chapter of the Song is fraught with images that strike our senses—sight (flowers), sounds (animals and birds), smells (perfumes), taste (fruits) and touch (physical attractiveness). Love—marital, sexual love—is the exploration and intoxication of all the senses. Our lovers are delighting in one another as God intended from the beginning. They possess one another, longing and yearning for that union which fittingly consummates their love. They taste something of the mystery which exists at the heart of intimate union—a mystery expressed by Paul as reflected in the union of Christ and his Bride, the Church (Eph.5).” James T. Dennison, Jr. What Should I Read on the Song of Solomon? K:NWTS 8/2 (Sep 1993) 38-41. http://www.kerux.com/doc/0802A3.asp accessed July 10, 2015.

5B) Characteristics5B) Characteristics

II. Most of the Song is stylized conversation between the lover and beloved although much may be imagined speech, uttered when the partner was absent. 1. A remarkable feature of the Song is that the song is

largely written from the perspective of a WOMAN.2. The use of personal pronouns (I, me, you, he, his,

etc.) often makes it difficult to know who is speaking.

3. Speeches and events do not always follow in chronological order.

4. The use of chorus – an imaginary group that interrupts certain scenes to make brief speeches or warnings.

5B) Characteristics5B) Characteristics

III. The characters of the poem are:1. The beloved

a. She is a woman (6:9; 7:1)b. She plays the leading role throughout.

2. The lover a. He especially celebrates the beauty of, and his

love for, the woman.3. The “daughters of Jerusalem”

a. “Daughters of Jerusalem” mentioned 7 times (1:5; 2:7; 3:5,10; 5:8,16; 8:4)

b. “Daughters of Zion” mentioned once (3:11).c. Their choruses serve as markers for change of

scenes.

7. STRUCTURE7. STRUCTUREA) It is a recollection of events leading to their marriage, the

wedding night and the early years. These events though are not chronologically alignedchronologically aligned.

B) General OrganizationA The lovers’ expression of mutual love 1:1- 2:71:1- 2:7

B The lovers’ love lost and found 2:8- 3: 52:8- 3: 5X The lovers’ love celebrated and

consummated : The Wedding 3: 6 –5:13: 6 –5:1B’ The lovers’ love lost and reunited 5:2- 8:45:2- 8:4

A’ The lovers’ love affirmed and consummated 8:5-148:5-14

8) CHALLENGES IN READING 8) CHALLENGES IN READING THE SONGTHE SONG

8A) Interpretation Method8A) Interpretation Method

I. The AllegoricalAllegorical Method

II. The TypicalTypical MethodI. In this approach to the Song, the

relationship between Solomon and the Shulammite is viewed as a realreal and historicalhistorical love affair.

III. The LiteralLiteral Method

8A) Interpretation Method8A) Interpretation Method

IV. Summary and Conclusion1. The literal approach is the only safe

ground from the standpoint of hermeneutics. Granted, our personal or cultural inhibitions may work against a literal approach to the Song, but, we must never allow our own feelings to determine our approach to the Word of God. We are not to decide for God what He can and cannot say in His Word.

8B) Who is speaking what in the 8B) Who is speaking what in the book?book?

8B) Who is speaking what in the 8B) Who is speaking what in the book?book?

8:11-1411 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon;    he let out the vineyard to keepers;    each one was to bring for its fruit a thousand pieces of silver.12 My vineyard, my very own, is before me;    you, O Solomon, may have the thousand,    and the keepers of the fruit two hundred.13 O you who dwell in the gardens,    with companions listening for your voice;    let me hear it.14 Make haste, my beloved,    and be like a gazelleor a young stag    on the mountains of spices.

8C) Identification of the Lover8C) Identification of the Lover

I. SONG OF SONGS AS A ROYAL LOVE STORY: KING SOLOMON AND THE SHULAMMITE VINEDRESSER

8C) Identification of the Lover8C) Identification of the Lover

II. SONGS OF SONGS AS A LOVE TRIANGLE: KING SOLOMON, THE SHULAMMITE VINEDRESSER, AND THE SHEPHERD

8C) Identification of the Lover8C) Identification of the Lover

III. SONG OF SONGS AS A PEASANT LOVE STORY: A SHEPHERD AND A VINEDRESSER

7. PURPOSE7. PURPOSE

• To present the beauty and intimacy of covenantalcovenantal love, thereby teaching that marital success is not automatic, but that it requires dedication, intense commitment and strong loyalty between the married couple.

9. PURPOSE9. PURPOSE“The couple’s love is as intense at the beginning as at the end; thus, the poem’s power lies not in a lofty climax (though the scene of consummation is the center, 4:9-5:1) but in the creative and delicate repetitions of the themes of love – a love longed for when apart (e.g., 3:1-5) and enjoyed to the full when together (e.g. ch. 7), relished amid the splendor of the palace (e.g., 1:2-4) or in the serenity of the countryside (7:11 ff.), and reserved exclusively for the covenant partner (2:16; 6:3; 7:10). It is a love strong as death, which water cannot quench nor floods drown, a love freely given yet beyond price (8:6f.)” Lasor, 517.

10. THEOLOGICAL 10. THEOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS & IMPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

A) The theological discussion of the book is in biblical sexualitysexuality, i.e., the biblical doctrine of mankind created as male and female.

I) The sensual side of human nature is part of God’s wonderful creationcreation.

II) People were created as sexualsexual beings, and

III) God’s design for marriage was established at the beginning in Genesis to reflect God’s image (Gen. 1:27).

10. THEOLOGICAL 10. THEOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS & IMPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS & IMPLICATIONSB) The Song recreates in its idealized sexual imagery what God intended as at the beginning concerning the innocent joy of love- making for the married couple.

I) The union of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden was one of innocent bliss.

II) It celebrates the glories of marriage as a giftgift of the Creator and a norm for human life.

(1) Love is a gift from God — 8:6, 7. Love can’t be bought.

10. THEOLOGICAL 10. THEOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS & IMPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

C) The Song speaks strongly for chastitychastity before the marriage vows (2:7).

• “Our culture encourages people to fulfill themselves, whatever their sexual tastes and desires, whereas the Song of Songs is concerned with how one person can respond faithfully to the attractiveness of another and fulfill the needs of the other. In most modern world, romance is thought of as something that precedes marriage, and is based primarily on feelings or pleasure. In the Song of Songs,

romance is something that actually characterizes marriage.” Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How To Read the Bible for All Its Worth.

• 4th Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,

2014), 257.

SUMMARY SHEETSSUMMARY SHEETS

NEXT SESSIONNEXT SESSION

15 August 2015 (Saturday) 7:30 am – 12:30 pm1.Session 7A&B: Intro to Prophets & Isaiah2.Session 7C: Jeremiah

Reading Assignments:1.Psalm 4 to Psalm 932.Book By Book: page 171-194

1. The Prophets of Israel in the Biblical Story2. Isaiah3. Jeremiah

3.For All Its Worth: Ch. 10 The Prophets: Enforcing the Covenant in Israel

1. (4th Edition): page 187-2112. (3rd Edition): page 181-204