What is the best way to interpret Song of Songs?

[GoldenEagle]

Also it is placed with wisdom books in the Bible

I don't believe it's placing has anything to do with it.

Does Genesis placement as the first book of the Bible have no signficance? Or Revelation as the last book? Curious if the books are placed at random? I don't believe so. My opinion.

[GoldenEagle]

For reference...

Flora – a particular plant life of indigenous nature in any particular region or time. This term is used in Song of Songs.

Fauna – is all the animal life of any particular region or time. This term is used in Song of Songs.

Rose of Sharon – Mentioned in Song of Solomon 2:1. Highly valued onion like plant found throughout the world. The term can also mean “pungent” or “splendid.”

Myrrh – Myrrh is a resin that is a natural gum. It Mentioned in Song of Solomon 1:13, 3:6, 4:14, and 5:5.

Henna – also known as Camphire is mentioned in Song of Songs 1:14 and 7:12. They are flowers that are typically metaphors for forgiveness, absolution, and showing that God forgives.

Mandrakes – A plant mentioned in Song of Songs 7:13 generally associated with fertility.

Nard – Mentioned in Song of Solomon 1:12 and 4:14 as a type of costly perfume.

Calamus – Mentioned in Song of Solomon 4:14 is a sweet scent. In ancient Palestine when its knotted stalk is cut and dried and reduced to powder it forms an ingredient in the most precious perfumes.

Tizrah – Mentioned in Song of Solomon 6:4 is a town what was Samaritan high lands in ancient Palestine. The name literally means “she is friendly.”

[Tinky]

Also it is placed with wisdom books in the Bible

I don't believe it's placing has anything to do with it.

Does Genesis placement as the first book of the Bible have no signficance? Or Revelation as the last book? Curious if the books are placed at random? I don't believe so. My opinion.

In regard to the subject matter, I don't believe it's placement is significant.

[GoldenEagle]

There are really 3 positions for clarification on this book.

1. Allegorical: Many if not most interpreters (who seem to not want to believe that God could actually speak on the subject of intimacy between a husband and wife) favor the Song as an allegory which conveys hidden, mystical and/or "spiritual" meanings.

2. Typological: This approach admits to the historical reality of the Song but goes on to envision Solomon as typifying Christ and the Shulammite woman as a type of the church, thus picturing Christ's the Bridegroom's love for His Bride, the Church. You may be thinking that this sounds like an allegorical approach, but it differs in interpreting Solomon as a literal, historical person and by not seeking "hidden" or mystical meanings as in the allegorical approach.

3. Literal, Historical and Grammatical: This approach is IMO the only objective mode of interpretation and seeks to attach the normal meaning to the words thus taking them at "face value".

[GoldenEagle]

1. Allegorical: Many if not most interpreters (who seem to not want to believe that God could actually speak on the subject of intimacy between a husband and wife) favor the Song as an allegory which conveys hidden, mystical and/or "spiritual" meanings.

I believe a major problem with the allegorical approach is that it normally ignores the intended meaning of the text and tends to easily degenerate into eisegesis (also known as reading into the text whatever the reader wishes).

Allegorizing is like searching for hidden (or secret?) meaning but yet not related to the more obvious meaning of the text. So basically it’s some form of code which needs to be deciphered to understand the significant and hidden meaning behind the text.

Many times there are as many allegorical interpreters as there are interpretations. Take Nebula’s story earlier where Solomon actually represented the bad guy.

Honestly, I find it a bit humorous for the two mammary glands to be representative of two ordinances, the garden represent the local church, or the voice of the turtledove to represent the Holy Spirit…

Anyone’s thoughts on the matter?

[GoldenEagle]

2. Typological: This approach admits to the historical reality of the Song but goes on to envision Solomon as typifying Christ and the Shulammite woman as a type of the church, thus picturing Christ's the Bridegroom's love for His Bride, the Church. You may be thinking that this sounds like an allegorical approach, but it differs in interpreting Solomon as a literal, historical person and by not seeking "hidden" or mystical meanings as in the allegorical approach.

This is an interesting approach as well. Scripture does indeed have types as Adam for example being "who is a type of Him who was to come" (See Rom. 5:14) Song of Songs contains no such verses to indicate that Solomon’s actions and/or words represent Christ type. So really this view is stretching things at best.

Thoughts?

[Jayyycuuup]

I believe it is an allegory of Christ's love for the Church.

If Song of Songs were a symbolic book representing Christ and the Church and/or Israel and God then the sexual description would be disturbing. At least it would be to me. What do you think?

Also it is placed with wisdom books in the Bible which would indicate that the early Church fathers thought it should be taken literally perhaps?

This book portrays the importance of the healthy sexual relationship in marriage. It stands in contrast to the Law where the sexual relationship is corrupted such as adultery, homosexuality, etc. It also contrasts with the idea of the worldly woman in Proverbs to show where sexual advances are natural, joyful, and a blessing. This book shows that a man can enjoy his wife and a woman can enjoy her husband.

God is love. God's love is eternal. This is God's greatest quality. We are made in God’s image to be sexual creatures. This includes emotions and physical attraction. That’s a good thing.

This book is very helpful to me in understanding the love between a man and a woman. I read it a few times as a single man. Being married and re-reading it brings this book to life. While I don’t believe it is symbolic it has helped me understand the longing that God has for His people.

God bless,

GE

I personally do not see a problem concerning this portrayal and interpretation of scripture. Solomon (as you know) was and is, very literate concerning women in totality. So I think understanding His writing style is crucial.

From what I understand of the Song of Solomon, it is Christ to the church, along with that, to the believers. I think your description concerning that issue, makes it quite evident. (concerning the "how to live.")

The reason I am lead to believe this is because I think Jesus is typified in the Bridegroom's love for, and marriage to, the bride.

Jesus uses this same illustration Himself, when conducting a proper healthy relationship between a man and His wife- so I do not think it is any different here.

[Guest]

What is the best way to interpret Song of Songs?

Love

Yes brother I agree but is it allegorical or not in your opinion?

~

A Woman And Her Man

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Song Of Solomon 1:2

The Son Of Man (Jesus)

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Revelation 19:7-8

And His Bride (Israel)

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Song Of Solomon 2:4

~

And Please Forgive Me Beloved

For Being The Simple Man That I Am

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39

I Simply Don't Understand The Insertion Of Allegories

Or Key Philosophical Points Into God's Big Book Of Jesus

Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Psalms 119:160

Parallel Truth Would Be My Words For The Song Of Songs

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32

[The_Patriot21]

makes for great wedding night reading. . .

[Guest ninhao]

What is the best way to interpret Song of Songs?

I have read commentary which claims the Shulamite was Solomon's first love and wife Naamah.

1Ki 14:21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

Pro 5:18-19 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. (19) Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.