Song of Songs

In this commentary Longman unpacks what this ancient love poem reveals about the male-female relationship and about God's love for His people. Beginning with an extensive introduction to the book and its background, the author discusses Song of Songs' authorship, date, literary style, language, structure, and theological content.

Tremper Longman III is the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California.

General Editor's Preface

xi

Author's Preface

xiii

Abbreviations

xv

Introduction

Title

1

(1)

Authorship

2

(7)

Literary Style

9

(8)

Language

17

(2)

Date

19

(1)

The Text

19

(1)

History of Interpretation

20

(28)

Genre

48

(1)

Ancient Near Eastern Background

49

(5)

Structure

54

(2)

Canon

56

(2)

The Significance and Theology of The Song of Songs

58

(12)

Bibliography

70

TEXT AND COMMENTARY

Superscription (1:1)

87

Poem One: The Woman's Pursuit (1:2--4)

89

Poem Two: Dark, but Beautiful (1:5--6)

95

Poem Three: An Invitation to a Tryst (1:7--8)

99

Poem Four: A Beautiful Mare (1:9--11)

102

Poem Five: Intimate Fragrances (1:12--14)

104

Poem Six: Outdoor Love (1:15--17)

107

Poem Seven: Flowers and Trees (2:1--7)

109

Poem Eight: A Poem of Spring (2:8--17)

116

Poem Nine: Seeking and (Not) Finding (3:1--5)

127

Poem Ten: A Royal Wedding Procession (3:6--11)

131

Poem Eleven: From Head to Breasts: The Man's Sensuous Description of the Woman (4:1--7)

140

Poem Twelve: The Invitation (4:8--9)

148

Poem Thirteen: Eating in the Garden of Love (4:10--5:1)

152

Poem Fourteen: To Search and (Not) Find, Once Again (5:2--6:3)

160

Poem Fifteen: Awesome As an Army under Banners (6:4--10)

177

Poem Sixteen: A Surprise in the Nut Grove (6:11--12)

183

Poem Seventeen: A Description of the Dancing Shulammite (7:1--11 [English 6:13--7:10])

188

Poem Eighteen: I Will Give You My Love (7:12--14 [English 7:11--13])

199

Poem Nineteen: Yearing for Love (8:1--4)

203

Poem Twenty: Like a Seal (8:5--7)

206

Poem Twenty-One: Protecting the Sister (8:8--10)

215

Poem Twenty-Two: Who Owns the Vineyard? (8:11--12)

218

Poem Twenty-Three: Be Like a Gazelle (8:13--14)

220

INDEXES

I. Subjects

223

II. Authors

225

III. Scripture References

229

IV. Foreign Words

235

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Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials