Information AboutSong Of Solomon |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT SONG OF SOLOMON | |
| ketuvim | |
| books of the hebrew bible | |
| erotic poetry | |
|
The ''Song of Solomon'' or '''''Song of Songs''''' (Hebrew title , ''Shir ha-Shirim'') is a book of the Hebrew Bible — Tanakh or Old Testament —one of the five '' Megillot '' (scrolls). According to Ashkenazi tradition, it is read on the Sabbath that falls during the intermediate days of Passover. In the Sephardi Jewish community it is recited every Friday night. The Song of Songs is a collection of love poems believed to be symbolic. The imagery is that of a bride and a bridegroom or a husband and wife - a traditional metaphor in Judaism for the relationship between God and the people of Israel. http://www.schechter.org.il/iyounei_chabate.asp?id=61 It is known in the Vulgate as ''Canticum Canticorum'', the "Canticle of Canticles." {Link without Title} Others play down the religious symbolism and describe it as a long lyric poem about erotic love and sexual desire. J Cheryl Exum, ''Song of Songs'', Old Testament Library. (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2005), p. 1. The Song of Songs is one of the shortest books in the Bible, consisting of only 117 verses. http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2006/barminjon_cantata1_jan06.asp TITLE The name of the book comes from the first verse, "The Song of songs, by Solomon." "Song of songs" is a Hebrew idiom using the same grammatical construction as "holy of holies". This kind of repetition denotes the called it ''das Hohelied'' (the high song). {Link without Title} This is still its name in German. Some say the title indicates the antiphonal nature of the song — a song of several songs. AUTHORSHIP Some people translate the second clause of the title as "which is of Solomon," meaning that the book is authored by , which expresses the wisdom of maturity; and Ecclesiastes , which expresses the cynicism of old age. Others translate the second clause as "which is for Solomon," meaning that the book is dedicated to Solomon. It was common practice in ancient times for an anonymous writer seeking recognition for his work to write Eponymously in the name of someone more famous. Some read the book as contrasting the nobility of monogamous love with the debased nature of promiscuous love, and suggest that the book is actually a veiled criticism of Solomon, who, according to 1 Kings 11:3, had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines {Link without Title} . Another approach to the authorship is that offered by , peace, which through noun declension can be possessive {Link without Title} . This means that the author is in fact Solomon, but he narrates the book from the perspective of God, who is conversing with the Jewish people, his allegorical bride. CHARACTERS The text, read without allegory as a celebration of sexual love, alternates between the speeches of a woman and her lover. A series of Antiphon al remarks are provided by the "daughters of Jerusalem." The woman's brothers have a few lines near the conclusion of the Song. Most scholars also see some verses as the voice of a narrator. Scholars vary in their views regarding authorship and composition of the Song. A female writer, a series of editors, or a male writer, other than Solomon, are all popular alternatives. Some have suggested the Song is composed from a collection of originally more independent poetry. The majority of scholars who believe that Solomon was the author of the work hold that the woman addressed in the Song is his wife Pharaoh's Daughter , who is first mentioned at 1 Kings 3:1. One of the points cited for this is the passage at Song 1:9 that states "I have compared thee, O my love, to a steed in Pharaoh's chariots." At Song 1:5 she is reported to say "I am black" and at Song 4:8-12 the woman is described as "my bride". INTERPRETATION AND USE Although it is commonly held that an and the Targum , it is an Allegory of God's love for the Children of Israel. In keeping with this understanding, it is read by Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews on Sabbath eve, to symbolize the love between the Jewish People and God that is also represented by Sabbath. Most traditional Jews also read the book on the Sabbath of Chol HaMoed of Passover , or on the seventh day of the holiday, when the Song Of The Sea is also read. In a Christian tradition that began with Origen , the Song is regarded as an allegory of the relationship of Christ and the Church, or else Christ and the individual believer (see the Sermons on the Song of Songs by Bernard Of Clairvaux ). This type of allegorical interpretation was applied later to even passing details in Parable s of Jesus . It is also heavily used in Sufi poetry. Pope Benedict XVI 's encyclical '' Deus Caritas Est '' (God is Love) of 2006 refers to the ''Song of Songs'' in both its literal and allegorical meaning, stating that erotic love (''eros'') and self-donating love (''agape'') is shown there as the two halves of true love, which is both giving and receiving. The ''Song of Solomon'' is not quoted by New Testament writers, but is possibly alluded to on a number of occasions. (Compare Ps. 45; Isa. 54:4-6; 62:4, 5; Jer. 2:2; 3:1, 20; Ezek. 16; Hos. 2:16, 19, 20. Compare also Matt. 9:15; John 3:29; Eph. 5:23, 27, 29; Rev. 19:7-9; 21:2, 9; 22:17.) The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints , the largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint Movement , does not recognize the Song of Solomon as authoritative {Link without Title} , although it is included in the Church's canon and printed in Church-published copies of the Bible. THE SONG OF SONGS IN MUSIC AND ART
SEE ALSO
REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS Jewish translations and commentary:
Christian translations and commentary:
Music for the Song of Solomon:
Movies that refer to or quote from the Song of Solomon:
LITERATURE
|
|
|