The Song of Solomon/ The Song of Songs / The Canticle of Canticles

[He. Shir Hashirim] [13th century ,L. canticulum ”little song” , canticum “song” ,cantus “song’]

Courtesy of Alexander Scourby(Bible Audio)The Canticle of Canticles

Background: This is presented in poetic form as a “song” about the wonders of sexual love. There are at least 2 individual speakers, a man and a woman, and a group called “friends”. There and conversations between them, but also thoughts of each lover about each other. Many see the Song as symbol of God’s love for his People. 8chs

Author: Solomon (1:1) of at least 1005 songs (1K4:32) this was his best


Date and Location: About 950 BC in Jerusalem.

Unique Features:
*Sgs is unique among Bible books for its intimate look at sexual love. 
*It is one of only two books that do not mention the name of God (the other is Esther) 

 Purpose: To show love between husband and wife. A picture of Christ’s love for his bride(the Church) 

 Comparison: 
   Pro-Sgs 
^Water metaphor to describe women (4:15Pr5:15-18)
^ Gazelle/Doe metaphor to describe gracefulness (2:7, 9, 17 Pr5:19)
^ money can’t buy love (8:7) or wisdom (Pr3:13-15:8, 10, 11) Ec describe Solomon vain search for happiness. Songs at least one time in his early kingship, he did find it


Abbreviations: Song/ SOS/ Sgs/ Sg/ SS/ Cant/ Ca

MV: Hands that shed innocent blood, Pr6:17
Bib1Yr: Mk1-4John The Baptism