How to read the Song of Songs (aka. Song of Solomon)

The Song of Songs (aka. Song of Solomon) is a 3,000 year old love poem filled with erotic imagery and innuendo. How did such a writing make its way into the Bible, and why is it considered the greatest song in history? That's what we're looking at in this session!

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[petqzheleva]

This was a very grounded and healthy lecture overall. Language-wise, I come from an ancient European culture that allows for an easier reading of the Song of songs. Even though as a 21-st century woman i personally wouldn't feel flattered by some of the particular compliments the fictional bride of the poem receives, a lot of the same imagery is found in our folclore tales and songs that are read and sung to this day. In fact, our most celebrated 19-th and 20-th century national writers and poets have been relying on it too, following the old verbal traditions. And I have to say that these poetic allusions - the trees, the fruit, the garden, the animals, etc - once you understand them properly, actually convey a very strong sense of desire and longing, and a poetic mystification of the sexual act and the person and body of the beloved. Something that a lot of modern songs, with all their shallow explicitness, fail to achieve.
I had a professor in History of art, who once told us (while teaching on one of Velasquez's paintings) that both in art and in life, what is left to the imagination to envision and undress, is much more powerful than what is crudely offered in full display.

[trevalor]

8:8 we have a little sister ??? Child from the coupling?? Why or why not

[r.a.panimefan]

One thing i honestly think god is indifferent to polygny.

The bible not in one place calls it a sin
Now that said there is prescription there is description.

And we can see that in slavery
To treat others as yourself doesnt allow to view slavery.


Now im also a egalitarian. I like girls that have independent thoughts feelings work hard. Have attitude.
And frankly i believe women can teach.

But i also am not willing to call polygny sinful.

Perhaps not a great idea.
Perhaps problem.cuasing.

But the action itself isnt called out.



Thats why your right this song doesnt say its solomons most beloved.

And a argument ive never seen a serial monogamous polemic talk on is 2 samuel with david.

If it said
u took many wives. And i didnt strike u for it as they were yours. Etc but then u took bathseba.
Etc now your cut off. Bla bla.

THEN ID AGREE WE HAVE A DESCRIPTION VS A PRESCRIPTION

but
It says

I GAVE YOU YOUR MASTERS WIVES ETC. AND WOULD HAVE GIVEN MORE OF THOSE THINGS...

So we really supposed to believe thats descriptive.

God didnt just permit polygny he gave david that situation

If the plain meaning is that those women were actual wives. And not simply cared for. Witch ive seen more evidence even within historical rabbinics these were wives...

I think the constant anti sexual rule making is a product of the church.

And i dont think u have to be a patriarchy anti woman empowerment complimentarian
To have this view of polygny.

As a egal. I have no qualm admitting god was silent on it

[travisjones]

If you don't know what's going on in the book, don't try to make a teaching on it!!

[travisjones]

Song of Songs has nodda to do w/ sex!! There is not a sex scene in the entire book!! I don't know how you have even come up with that!