Song of Songs (REB, NJB)

A Dictionary of the Bible | 1997 | 700+ words | Copyright

Song of Songs (REB, NJB) or Song of Solomon (AV, NRSV) A poetic book in the OT attributed to Solomon but possibly written in the later part of the 6th cent. BCE. Other dates ranging over several centuries have been proposed. It is a series of love poems in dialogue form between a man and a woman who both use powerful and moving imagery. The conventional interpretation in Judaism and Christianity has been to regard the Song's erotic vocabulary as allegorical: it is said to express the love of God for his people (Israel, or the Church), but the book is not mentioned in the NT.

Most probably the exuberant lyrical poems were written to celebrate human love. There are beautiful and sensuous metaphors and similes to extol the bodies both of women (e.g. 7: 1–6) and of men (5: 10–16). Mountain goats and pomegranates and nectar; liles and spices and sapphire, are among the images with which the lovers entice each other to the vineyards (7: 12).

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W. R. F. BROWNING. "Song of Songs (REB, NJB)." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Song of Songs (REB, NJB)." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-SongofSongsREBNJB.html

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Song of Songs (REB, NJB)." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-SongofSongsREBNJB.html

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