The Song of Solomon (overview)
Quick Summary
The Song of Solomon, also called the Song of Songs, is a poetic book in the Old Testament that celebrates love, desire, and intimacy through the dialogue of two lovers. Traditionally attributed to King Solomon, it is rich in metaphor and symbolic language, offering both literal and allegorical interpretations. The book has been read as a celebration of human love and also as a spiritual allegory of God’s love for Israel or Christ’s love for the Church.
Introduction: A Song Unlike Any Other
The Song of Solomon stands apart from other biblical texts. It has no laws, genealogies, or historical accounts. Instead, it is a lyrical and passionate poem that speaks to the beauty of love in vivid imagery. Written in the form of an ancient Near Eastern love song, it is deeply evocative and has stirred debate and delight for centuries. While some have questioned its place in the canon, Jewish and Christian traditions have long held it in high regard for both its aesthetic and spiritual depth.
Authorship and Title
Traditionally, the book is attributed to Solomon, as the first verse says, “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s” (Song of Solomon 1:1). This attribution has led many to believe Solomon either authored the book or inspired it. Some scholars suggest that the reference to Solomon could be honorary, linking the work to Solomon's wisdom or courtly tradition.
The title “Song of Songs” is a Hebrew superlative, meaning it is the greatest of songs. The phrase echoes other biblical formulations like “Holy of Holies.”
Literary Structure and Style
The book is a series of lyrical poems rather than a continuous narrative. It features two main voices: a young woman (often called the Shulammite) and her beloved. There are also choruses, sometimes called "daughters of Jerusalem," that provide commentary.
The poetry is marked by parallelism, similes, and a rich array of natural imagery: vineyards, gazelles, lilies, and pomegranates fill the verses. The Hebrew style is intimate, playful, and passionate.
Major Themes
1. Love and Desire
At its core, the Song of Solomon is a celebration of love—not duty or obligation, but romantic and physical desire. The mutual longing expressed in the poem emphasizes that such love, when rooted in commitment and joy, is a good gift from God.
2. Beauty and Body Imagery
The Song revels in physical beauty. Both the man and woman describe each other in sensory detail. Song of Solomon 4:1-7, for example, is a cascade of images comparing the beloved to elements of nature and adornment.
3. Mutuality and Equality
Unlike many ancient texts, the Song portrays a reciprocal relationship. The woman is not passive. She seeks, speaks, dreams, and delights. Both lovers pursue and praise one another.
4. Allegory and Interpretation
Many Jewish and Christian readers have understood the Song as symbolic. In Jewish tradition, it represents God’s love for Israel; in Christian tradition, Christ’s love for the Church. Bernard of Clairvaux famously wrote 86 sermons on the first two chapters, emphasizing spiritual meaning.
5. Garden Imagery and Eden Echoes
The garden appears often in the text, echoing Eden and the pre-fall intimacy between humans. The lovers' union is marked by delight, not shame.
Key Passages
Song of Solomon 2:1-2 – "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys."
Song of Solomon 2:16 – "My beloved is mine and I am his."
Song of Solomon 4:9 – "You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride."
Song of Solomon 6:3 – "I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine."
Song of Solomon 8:6 – "Set me as a seal upon your heart... for love is strong as death."
Interpretive Approaches
Literal/Historical: A celebration of marital love and sexual intimacy.
Allegorical: God’s covenantal love for Israel (Judaism) or Christ’s love for the Church (Christianity).
Typological/Mystical: Interpreted by mystics as the soul’s longing for union with God.
Liturgical: Read during Passover in Jewish tradition and during Holy Week by some Christians.
Controversies and Censorship
Some early Christian and Jewish leaders found the sensual content of the Song difficult. Origen and others insisted on allegorical interpretation as the only acceptable lens. Despite this, the book has endured as a theological and literary masterpiece.
Reception and Influence
The Song has inspired artists, poets, mystics, and theologians. In the Middle Ages, it was especially beloved by monastic writers who saw it as expressing divine intimacy. In modern times, its frank portrayal of desire has led to renewed interest in its theology of embodiment.
Many hymns and liturgical pieces echo the Song, and it remains a popular reading in weddings.
Meaning for Today
The Song of Solomon reminds us that the Bible is not only a book of commands and doctrines, but also of poetry, longing, and joy. It offers a view of love that is mutual, embodied, and holy. It invites readers to honor desire and see it as part of God’s good design—whether in human relationships or as a metaphor for divine communion.
