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Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) is a little different than the other Hebrew wisdom literature in the Bible. It’s a collection of eight love poems, and though the book has a clear introduction and conclusion, it doesn’t have a rigid structure like other books of wisdom literature.
Authorship and Occasion
“Song of songs” is an idiom meaning “the greatest of all songs,” similar to how we might say “the mother of all pies” if we were talking about the greatest pie ever.
The book is “of Solomon” but it is unclear whether or not Solomon is the author of the book. “Of” in Hebrew could also mean “to” or “for,” which here could mean “in the tradition of Solomon.” The poems in the book explore the human emotion of love and sexual desire.
Structure and Style
The book alternates between the woman and the man without a clear poetic structure that might be found in Job or Proverbs. One of the themes uniting the poems is the desire the couple to find one another. Another theme is the joy of sexual love the couple shares.
The poem highlights the power and intensity of love, but it is also dangerous. Love is a powerful emotion that can cause people to do great good or great evil, so love must be nurtured and protected. The book touches on the human desire to know and be fully known and desired by another. Love is a gift from God.
Historical Interpretations
Throughout history, scholars have wondered why love poetry is in the Bible. Three main interpretive frameworks have been developed.
- Jewish tradition: an allegory. The woman is Israel, the man is God, and the love is the covenant.
- Christian tradition: an allegory. The woman is the Church, the man is Christ, and the love is how Christ died for us.
- A collection of ancient love poems that reflect on the divine gift of love.
The overwhelming use of garden imagery seems to reflect the early chapters of Genesis, before the fall. When read in the context of the Old Testament (OT) more broadly, we seem to be witnessing the love of a couple whose relationship is untainted by selfishness and sin. The song holds out hope that even though our own relationships are often distorted, love is a gift meant to point us to God and to one another.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What lessons can Song of Songs teach us about loving our spouses?
- Why is it important to read Song of Songs in the broader context of the Old Testament (OT)?
- Read Song of Songs 8:6. What should we take away from this verse?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
