Berit Olam: The Song of Songs

Publisher Description

Among all of the books of the First Testament, the "Song of Songs" is ?one of the most intriguing. On the one hand, its unabashed sensuality has ?captured the imagination and has endeared it to those who appreciate ?passionate human love. On the other hand, more demure readers have ?frequently been chagrined by their own fascination with its erotic ?character and have cloaked their interest under the guise of metaphorical ?reading. Both interpretations of the Song of Songs have been endorsed. ?Down through the ages, both Jewish and Christian interpreters have ?delighted in the exquisite imagery of the book's songs, but they have also ?frequently reverted to allegory in their interpretations.?This commentary views the song as a collection of love poems and carefully ?examines features of Hebrew poetry in order to uncover the delicacy of ?their expression. Although it is a tribute to mutual love, the principal ?frame of reference is the amorous disposition of the woman. Her words open ?and close the song and her voice is dominant throughout.