1. INTRODUCTION
• Is “God” mentioned in the Song of Songs?
• ANS: NO
1. INTRODUCTION
• Is “the LORD” mentioned in the Song of
Songs?
• ANS: NO/YES
1. INTRODUCTION
Song 8:6
1. INTRODUCTION
Song 8:6
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)
1. INTRODUCTION
Song 8:6
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)
1. INTRODUCTION
Song 8:6
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)
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)
“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)
1. INTRODUCTION
Song 8:6
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,
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon thine arm: for love is
as a seal upon your arm,
strong as death; jealousy is cruel as for love is strong as death,
the grave: the coals thereof are coals
jealousy is fierce as the grave.
of fire, which hath a most vehement Its flashes are flashes of fire,
flame. (KJV)
the very flame of the Lord. (ESV)
1. INTRODUCTION
NO MENTION OF GOD!
1. 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. TITLE
A)
In Hebrew the title is ~yrIyVih ryvi Shir has-shirim
(“Song of 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 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.”
I.
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/DATE
A) The traditional view of both Jewish and Christian
scholars has been that Solomon 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 7 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 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/DATE
IV. Solomon’s skill as a songwriter 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 locations
as if they were still part of an undivided kingdom (e.g.
Lebanon, Hermon, Tizrah, Damascus, and Carmel).
3B. Arguments for Non-Solomonic
Author
I)
II)
III)
References to Solomon are in the 3rd
person.
More likely, the author is an admirer of
Solomon and a supporter of the wisdom
literary traditions.
1:1 may mean “which is about or
concerning Solomon.”
3C. 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 NATURE
HEBREW POETRY/POETICAL BOOKS
Sub-Genre
Style
Songs/Poetry
Wisdom
Proverbial
Speculative
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Lyric
(Originally accompanied by music
& possessing strong emotions.)
Psalms
Didactic
(Teaches principles about life by
means of proverbs or maxims.)
Dramatic
(Dialogue between people in
poetical form.)
Lament
(Poetical expression of sorrow or
lamentations.)
Song of Songs
Lamentations
Job
5) LITERARY NATURE
HEBREW POETRY/POETICAL BOOKS
Sub-Genre
Style
Songs
Wisdom
Song-Wisdom
Proverbial Speculative
Lyric
(Originally accompanied by
music & possessing strong
emotions.)
Psalms
Didactic
(Teaches principles about
life by means of proverbs or
maxims.)
Proverbs
Dramatic
Song of
Songs
(Dialogue between people
in poetical form.)
Lament
(Poetical expression of
sorrow or lamentations.)
Lamentations
Ecclesiast
es
Job
5B) 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) 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) 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. STRUCTURE
A)
It is a recollection of events leading to their marriage, the
wedding night and the early years. These events though a
not chronologically aligned.
General Organization
B)
A
A’
The lovers’ expression of mutual love 1:1- 2:7
B
The lovers’ love lost and found 2:8- 3: 5
X
The lovers’ love celebrated and consummated :
The Wedding 3: 6 –5:1
B’
The lovers’ love lost and reunited 5:2- 8:4
The lovers’ love affirmed and consummated 8:5-14
8) CHALLENGES IN READING
THE SONG
8A) Interpretation Method
I.
II.
The Allegorical Method
The Typical Method
I.
In this approach to the Song, the
relationship between Solomon and the
Shulammite is viewed as a real and
historical love affair.
III. The Literal Method
8A) Interpretation Method
IV. Summary and Conclusion
1.
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
book?
8B) Who is speaking what in the
book?
8:11-14
11 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 gazelle
or a young stag
on the mountains of spices.
8C) Identification of the Lover
I.
SONG OF SONGS AS A ROYAL LOVE STORY:
KING SOLOMON AND THE SHULAMMITE
VINEDRESSER
8C) Identification of the Lover
II. SONGS OF SONGS AS A LOVE TRIANGLE: KING
SOLOMON, THE SHULAMMITE VINEDRESSER,
AND THE SHEPHERD
8C) Identification of the Lover
III. SONG OF SONGS AS A PEASANT LOVE STORY: A
SHEPHERD AND A VINEDRESSER
7. PURPOSE
•
To present the beauty and
intimacy of covenantal
love, thereby teaching that
marital success is not
automatic, but that it
requires dedication,
intense commitment and
strong loyalty between the
married couple.
9. 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
APPLICATIONS & IMPLICATIONS
A)
The theological
discussion of the book
is in biblical sexuality,
i.e., the biblical
doctrine of mankind
created as male and
female.
I)
II)
III)
The sensual side of
human nature is part of
God’s wonderful creation.
People were created as
sexual beings, and
God’s design for
marriage was
established at the
beginning in Genesis to
reflect God’s image (Gen.
1:27).
10. THEOLOGICAL
APPLICATIONS & IMPLICATIONS
B) The Song recreates in
its idealized sexual
imagery what God
intended as at the
beginning concerning
the innocent joy of lovemaking for the
married couple.
I)
II)
The union of Adam
and Eve in the garden
of Eden was one of
innocent bliss.
It celebrates the
glories of marriage as
a gift 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
APPLICATIONS & IMPLICATIONS
C) The Song speaks
strongly for chastity
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),
SUMMARY SHEETS
NEXT SESSION
15 August 2015 (Saturday) 7:30 am – 12:30 pm
1.Session 7A&B: Intro to Prophets & Isaiah
2.Session 7C: Jeremiah
Reading Assignments:
1.Psalm 4 to Psalm 93
2.Book By Book: page 171-194
1. The Prophets of Israel in the Biblical Story
2. Isaiah
3. Jeremiah
3.For All Its Worth: Ch. 10 The Prophets: Enforcing
the Covenant in Israel
1. (4th Edition): page 187-211
2. (3rd Edition): page 181-204