Song of Songs: Love is Strong as Death
PART I INTRODUCTION 2
A. Background of the Title 2
B. Analysis of the Poem (Song of Songs) 4
C. Song of Songs in Judaism Tradition: 5
D. Characters: Based on NIV and Jerusalem Bible (JB) 7
E. Different Interpretations: 9
F. Theme: Marriage or Heavenly Wedding 10
G. Outline of the Poem 13
H. Vocabularies 14
I. Summary 16
PART II TITLE AND PROLOGUE 17
A. Title and Prologue 1: 1 -4 17
B. Total verses: 4 17
C: Theme: Woman Pursuits. 17
D. Commentary 17
V. 1: 2- 4 Woman speaks: Prologue 17
E. Summary 19
PART III FIRST POEM 21
A. First Poem 1: 5- 2: 7 21
B. Total Verses: 20 21
C. Theme: Wedding Day; Memory and Courtship: Must be born again and trust in the Lord
Jesus Christ. 21
D. Commentary 21
E. Summary 27
PART IV. SECOND POEM 28
A. Second Poem: 2: 8- 3: 5 28
B. Total Verses: 15 28
C. Theme: The Fiancé seeks His Beloved 28
D. Commentary 28
E. Summary 32
PART V. THIRD POEM 33
A. Third Poem: 3: 6- 5: 1 33
B. Total Verses: 23 33
C. Theme: Memory of Engagement; Royal Wedding. 33
D. Commentary 33
E. Summary 36
PART VI. FOURTH POEM 37
A. Fourth Poem: 5: 2- 6: 3 37
B. Total Verses: 18 37
C. Theme: Troubling Dreams: Search and Not Find 37
D. Commentary 37
E. Summary 41
PART VII. FIFTH POEM 43
A. Fifth Poem: 6: 4- 8: 4 43
B. Total Verses: 27 43
C. Theme: Praising the Bride 43
D. Commentary 43
E. Summary 49
PART VIII. EPILOGUE 50
A. Epilogue: 8: 5- 14 50
B. Total Verses: 10 50
C. Theme: Conclusion of the book. 50
D. Commentary 50
E. Summary 54
PART IX CONCLUSION 56
PART I INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Title
Hebrew Title: The Song of Solomon follows the book of Ruth in
the Old Testament.
שִׁ֥יר†הַשִּׁירִ֖ים
(sari ha sarim)
........................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
Septuagint Title: It is followed by Ecclesiastes.
ᾎσμα ᾀσμάτων,
(Âsma asmátōn)
Song of Songs
Canticle of Canticles
Different titles:
Song of Songs: Best of Songs (i.e King of Kings; Lord of the
lords; Holy of holies)
Song of Solomon
아가서: In Korean 아가서 means Beautiful Song of book.
雅歌書 (Beautiful Song)
Canticum Canticorum
Cantar De Los Cantares
The book is for the Mature Christians.
-Origen: a book of Divine love
-A solid food
The book is for the Church Sacraments.
-Baptism
-The Lord’s Supper
-Marriage
The Book of Spiritual Virginity
-Lord Jesus is the Virgin.
-His church is a virgin church.
-The virgin Soul and virgin Bridegroom.
-It is the mystery of virginity.
B. Analysis of the Poem (Song of Songs)
Time of Writing: B. C. 10th century
450- 400 B. C. During Persian period.
“Paradise” (Orchard; NIV)(4: 13) It is a Persian word.
Author: Solomon or Writer attributed to Solomon
Woman poet: Due to dominant presence of the woman and her
speeches.
Book was divided into 8 chapters.
It was divided during the Middle Ages.
Out of 117 verses, more than 60 verses are spoken by the woman.
(Tremper,7)
Woman speaks 53 %; Man speaks 39 %. (A. LaCocque and S.E.
Goitein, Tremper, 89)
C. Song of Songs in Judaism Tradition:
Jewish Rabbi Akiba (A. D. 134): The song of Song is the most
holiest book in the Bible.
Literary genre: Poetry and Wisdom literature.
One of the five of books called Megillah (Scroll)
Hebrew Poetry characteristics: Terseness (1:4), parallelism
(5:2), imagery (4:1b) and secondary poetic mode.
Hebrew tradition: It is used in the final day of the Passover
feast.
Judaism Wisdom Literature:
Song of Songs > Proverbs > Ecclesiastes
1: Song of Songs was the earliest book, which was written while
King Solomon was a young man; the Book of Proverbs came after
the Song of Songs. Solomon was in his middle ages with some
acquired wisdom along with God-given supernatural wisdom ( 1
Kgs. 3: 16); the book of Ecclesiastes wrote when he was in his
old age. There is a reflection of life as a whole.
2. Proverb > Ecclesiastes > Song of Songs
View 2: King Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs when he was a
young man (King); then he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes while
he was middle-aged and later in his life; in his old age,
Solomon wrote the book of Song of Songs to reflect his first
love (wife). And he spiritualized the marriage with God’s love
for His people, Israelites. So the book has a spiritual meaning
of God’s love.
Theology: Voice of woman is predominant and forceful and
powerful than man in the story (poem).
She speaks about love, beauty and delights and full of jealousy,
exclusiveness and power and preciousness.
God show such characters as well.
Settings: Israel (Zion), Jerusalem, Desert, Sharon, Bether,
Kedar, Salmah, Vineyards (garden), King’s Palace, Lebanon,
Tirzah, Beth Rabbim, Amana, Damascus, Gilead, Carmel, Senir, Mt.
Hermon
Purpose: Love between man and woman; God and Israel; Christ and
Church.
Facts:
Place in the Old Testament: middle of 17 x 2 (34).
Total Chapters: 8
Total Poems: 5
Total verses: 117
24 different species of plants.
10 animals.
Solomon writings: 1005 Songs written (1 Kings 4: 34)
D. Characters: Based on NIV and Jerusalem Bible (JB)
1. Man or Lover (NIV): (1: 9-11, 15, 17; 2: 2, 14- 15; 4: 1-
15; 5: 1- 1b, 6: 4- 9, 11- 12, 13b-7: 9a; 8: 13)
Bridegroom (JB): 1: 9-11, 15, 17; 2: 2; 3: 5; 4: 1- 15; 5: 1-1b,
6: 4- 12, 7: 2- 10; 8: 4-5, 8: 13)
Solomon (Shepherd 1: 7; King 1:4; 1:12; 7: 5; Jesus or God.
Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom.
-A Sufferer.
-Her Shepherd.
-Her King.
-Her Beloved.
2. Shulammite woman or Beloved (NV) (1st wife ?)
(1: 2-4a, 4bb-7, 12-14, 16- 2: 1, 3-13, 16- 3:11; 4: 16; 5: 2-
8, 10-16; 6: 2-3, 7: 9b- 8:4, 5b- 7, 10- 16; 6: 2-3; 7: 9b-8: 4;
5b-7, 10- 12, 14)
Bride (JB)(1: 2-7, 12-14, 16; 2: 1,3- 3: 4; 4: 16; 5: 2-8, 10-
16; 6: 2-3; 7: 10b-8: 3; 8: 6-7)
-Bride is the Church or the believers as a living member in the
Church.
3. Daughters of Jerusalem (group of Women or virgins or maidens
(NIV, JB)(1:3, 5; 3:11)
-Immature Christians or Jews
4. Friends (NIV)(1: 4b, 7- 8; 5: 1b, 9; 6: 10, 13; 8: 5, 8)
Poet/ Choir, (JB) (1: 7- 8 (C); 3: 6- 11 (P); 5: 1b (P); 5: 9
(C); 6: 1 (C); 7: 1 (C))
-Angels
5. (Young Sister (NIV, JB)(8: 8)
-Humanity who needs the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Mother (3:4, 11; 6:9; 8:1)
7. Father (absent)
8. Brothers or My mother’s sons (NIV, JB) (1: 6; 8: 8- 9)
E. Different Interpretations:
Allegorical: Ancient Churches approach.
Literal: Middle Ages to Reformation approach: i.e. John Calvin
Dramatic:Staged production. Ancient and Reformation approach.
Love poetry: Modern interpretation. (Human relationship)
F. Theme: Marriage or Heavenly Wedding
Solomon’s future wife: 699; Concubines 300
Engagement: 1-2 years
Marriage in the Bible: Genesis 2:22; Song of Songs 3: 11;
Malachi 2: 14; Revelation 19: 7; 21: 1-2
Jesus’s first miracle in his ministry: Marriage in Cana in
Galilee and making water into wine. (John 2) He blessed the
marriage.
Genesis 2: 22
“And the rib that God had taken from the man he made into a
woman and brought her to the man.”
Song of Songs: 3: 11
“On the day of his on the day of the gladness of his heart.”
Book of Revelation: 19: 7
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory , for the
marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made her
herself ready, it was granted her to clothe herself with fine
linen, bright and pure”- for the fine linen is the righteous
deeds of the saints.”
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven
and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any
sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of
heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her
husband.”
Marriage verses:
1: 4-brought me away
They: ladies in waiting
Name: characters (anointed oil)
Tent of Kedar: Black nomadic tent of Saudi Arabia
1: 6-Sun has tanned me
Keeper of vineyard but not her vineyard
She is aware of her appearance: we are. (mirror not in
monastery)
Where you feed your flock? Asked woman.
Smell good is important: myrrh
Wedding: 3: 6- 5: 1
Honeymoon
Throne
Bodyguards
4: 1-7 Black hair; Teeth brilliant white
3: 11 Virgin (abstinence)
5: 1 Friend to Solomon or Solomon to friends: enjoy
Marriage:
5: 2 Man wants it but she refuses
5: 3 How can I dirty again?
5: 4 She opens and He gone.
Out of whole book: 25 % deals with marriage conflicts
resolutions.
Causes of conflicts: human; difference
6: 3 Resolution
6: 4 Return of Solomon
Love won the Day
Goal is to win friend.
8: 6 For love is strong as Death
Jealousy relentless as Sheol.
On Marriage:
Getting marry is easy
Staying married is hard.
Happy marriage is difficult.
There is no perfect marriage this side of heaven.
Couple always want more or something from marriage.
Correlation: Return of bridegroom; Come back
Rev. 22: 20 Come Lord Jesus. I shall indeed be with you quickly.
Christ came as a shepherd and took us as bride and will come
back.
G. Outline of the Poem
1. 1: 1-4 Title and Prologue
2. 1: 5-2: 7 First Poem
3. 2: 8-3: 5 Second Poem
4. 3: 6-5: 1 Third Poem
5. 5: 2- 6: 3 Fourth Poem
6. 6: 4- 8: 4 Fifth Poem
7. 8: 5- 8: 14 Epilogue
Storyline:
Engagement 1: 1- 3: 5 Leaving (Poem 1-2)
Wedding 3: 6-5: 1 Cleaving (Poem 3)
Marriage 5: 2- 8: 14 Grieving (Poem 4-5; Epilogue)
H. Vocabularies:
Plants: 15
Body:
Solomon: 8
pomegranates-석류 4: 13
henna with nard-감송향 켐퍼 고벨화 4:13
nard- 나도 감송향 4: 14
saffron-사프란 4: 14
calmus-창포 4: 14
cinnamon-케피나무 4: 14
franincense-유향 4: 14
myrrh-몰약 4: 14
aloes-알로에 4: 14
lily-백홥화 4: 5
Rose-장미 2: 1
Cedar 백향목 1:17
Cypress 잣나무 1: 17
Fig tree 무화과 나무 2: 13
Head-5: 11
eyes 5: 12
cheeks 5: 13
lip 5: 13
arms 5: 14
body 5: 14
legs 5: 15
appearance5:15
speech 5: 16
Feet 7: 1
rounded thighs 7:1
navel 7: 2
belly 7: 2
two breasts 7: 3
neck 7: 4
eyes 7: 4
nose 7: 4
head 7: 5
1: 1, 5, 3; 3: 7, 9, 11; 8: 11-12
2.7
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild does:do not stir up or awaken love
until it is ready.
2:7; 3: 5: 8:4
I am my beloved's and My beloved is mine
2:16; 6: 3
Creatures, animals: 11
Shelters: 15
3.5
8.4
Doves 비둘기 2:14; 5:2; 6:9
Mare 준마 1: 9
Kid 염소새끼 1:9
Gazelles 노루 2:7
Doe 들 사슴 2: 7
Young Stag 어린 사슴 2: 9
Fox 여우 2:15
Lion 사자 4:8
Leopards 표범 4:8
Goat 염소 4:1
Ewes 암양 4:2
Jerusalem
Kedar, SA 1:5
En-Gedi 1:14
Sharon 2:1
Lebanon 3:9
Amana 3:8
Senir 3:8
Hermon 3:8
Tirzah 6:4
Gilead 6:5
Heshbon 7:4
Beth-rabbim 7:4
Damascus 7:4
Fruits/ Etc: 8
Metals: 4
I. Summary
1. It affirms human love, sex within the context of marriage.
2. Love emotion has its dangers.
3. God is described as marriage as a metaphor.
Carmel 7:5
Behter 2:17
Apple 사과 2:3
Dates 대추 7:9
Nut tree 푸른 초목 6:11
Raisin 건포도 2:5
Honey 꿀 4:11
Honey comb 4:11
Milk 젖 5:1
Vine 포도나무 2:13
Wine 포도주 1:4; 4:10; 5:1; 7:2,9; 8:2
Gold 금 1: 11
Silver 은 1: 11
Ornaments 구슬 궤미 1:10
Golden ornament 금사슬 1:11
PART II TITLE AND PROLOGUE
A. Title and Prologue 1: 1 -4
B. Total verses: 4
C: Theme: Woman Pursuits.
D. Commentary
Title has a superscription.
Song of Solomon
(Hebrew “le”; to, by, regarding)
To Solomon: The book was dedicated to Solomon
By Solomon: Solomon
Regarding Solomon: Poem resolves around Solomon
V. 1: 2- 4 Woman speaks: Prologue
Characters involved: 4
1. Lover
2. Beloved
3. King
4. Maidens
Bernard of Clairvaux notes the woman speaking already
presupposes relationship and conversations.
First poem starts with the Woman desiring for the man.
It is not about man and woman relationship but of God and
Israelites during Exodus period.
Woman is Church or Israel.
Man is God or Jesus Christ.
v. 2 Kiss: intense relationship
Wine: intoxicating (love), joy, and strong, Blood of Christ.
v. 3 Oil: Aromatic oils; cologne, holy oil, anointing
-Opening of heaven on earth (Gen 28: 18; 31: 13)
-The meeting between God and Man.
-The dwelling of God among His people.
-The anoining of priests and kings according to the Law (Ex. 40:
15; 1 Samuel 10: 1)
v. 4 King: God or Jesus
Me: Woman
You: Another person
We: Woman and another person
v. 4 Bedroom is Land of Palestine.
-the mystery of baptism.
v. 3, 4 Chorus of women or young woman: Happy and approve the
union.
“For good is your love more than wine;
As for the scent, your oils are good.
2b-3a chiasm (교차 대구법; 병행배열)
E. Summary
It is yearning poem.
It is a desire of woman for union with the man.
It is the desire of the believers to be with Jesus.
PART III FIRST POEM
A. First Poem 1: 5- 2: 7
B. Total Verses: 20
C. Theme: Wedding Day; Memory and Courtship: Must be born again
and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
D. Commentary
a. 5-6 Woman speaks: Dark but beautiful
1) Woman addresses the daughters of Jerusalem.
-They accuses the woman as dark.
-Jews (Jerusalem) thinks that they are beautiful.
2) Apology of her appearance.
Dark: Ignorant or lack of teaching of Christ (Christian faith).
St. Augustine, the human soul before her unity with Christ is as
black as coal.
St. Ambrose, dark and beauty as church.
Church is as weak but also beautiful as through the mystery of
faith.
3)Her brothers are introduced
v. 6 “My mother’s sons fought for me and not against me.”
(Origen trans.)
Origen, brothers are apostles or angels.
They protect and taught church.
b. 1: 7- 8 Invitation to A Tryst
1) Woman asking a man (Shepherd)
v. 7 Veil is not common; it was for a special occasions, such as
wedding or prostitute (Gen 38: 14-15), or show off.
Noon: Perfect God’s glory.
-The Lord appeared at noon (Gen. 18: 1).
-Joseph and his brother ate at noon (Gen. 43: 15).
-Jesus appeared to Paul at noon (Acts 22: 6).
2) Man responses to the woman
V. 8 First time he speaks.
-Woman needs to know herself.
-Woman needs to follow her shepherd.
-Woman needs to witness Christ to sinners.
He does not give clear answer.
3) Friends are responding
Same as above.
c. 1: 9- 11 Man speaks: Beautiful Mare
1) Man speaks. He admires her physical beauty.
v. 9 Compare her with mare, jewelry and ornaments.
And this makes men crazy or distraction.
Mare: Christians must carry cross and works of God.
-Need strengths and responsibilities.
-Sources of strengths must come from Christ.
-John saw the Church as a White horse (Rev. 6: 2)
Jewelry may used for the people of faith. (1 Tim. 2-9)
v. 10 earring (nequddot)enhances her beauty.
-It must be a sign of humility with chastity.
-Neck is the spirit of obedience and serving others.
-Gold and Silver are the Law and the Commandments.
Compare her with a royal motif: Pharaoh.
-Pharaoh’s chariots were drowned in the Red Sea.
-Christians baptism and became sanctified.
-Christians are children of the King of Kings.
d. 1: 12- 14 Woman speaks: Intimate Fragrances: Messiah as the
King
v. 12 Woman speaks to the man (King).
Church looks to Jesus.
Jesus fights for His church and make her queen.
v. 13 Jesus is sachet of myrrh.
Sachet is the Old Testament.
Myrrh is the New Testament.
Two breasts are the Old and the New Testament.
v. 14 Cluster of henna blooms in the vineyard of En Gedi
-Bride dyes (red) her hands with on the night before the
wedding.
-Church can only become queen when she holds the hand of
Bridegroom’s Cross-born hands (red).
-Church gets strength and her beauty from communes with her
Bridegroom.
v. 15 Man speaks: eyes are doves
-Eyes are the source of enlightenment.
-The Holy Spirit as the doves.
e. 16-17 Woman speaks: Mystery of Unity
-Intimate encounter.
-Fir trees: great power and sweet aroma.
-Church leaders have great responsibilities and must show Christ
fragrance (teaching and serving).
v. 16 “Our bed is green”: woman’s body does not belong to
herself but to her Bridegroom.
Green (ra’ana): Flourishing, and luxurious.
Our bodies are members of Christ. (1 Cor. 6: 15)
f. 2: 1-7 Floral images: Flowers and Trees
v. 1 “I am a rose (habasselet)of Sharon,
a lily (sosanna)of the Valleys.”
Joy can be only found to those who are redeemed by God.
St. Jerome, Jesus is the flower of the Jewish nation and lily of
the Gentile.
Jesus is the Savior to the all nations (both Jews and Gentiles).
v. 2 Man speaks: “My darling” (ra`yati). She is the best.
Just like man is lily, woman has to be lily: Believers must
become like Jesus like.
Thorns: hardships and sufferings.
Christians are not majority in the world, but will shine at the
time of judgment. (Matt. 3: 12)
vv. 3-7 Woman speaks: In the house of perfect love.
v. 3 “Apple tree” (5; 7: 9 JB; 7: 8): Divine incarnation.
Through the divine incarnation the Church, the mother, was able
to bear children in baptism.
Through baptism, the believers rise toward the heavenward.
This is the new birth and its effect in the Christian life.
v. 3 “sit”: It is an intimate relationship between God and his
people. (Hosea 14: 8a (14: 7a))
God will protect his peoples. (Giving them a shelter.)
v. 4 “Banquet hall”: new life.
It symbolizes feast and wisdom: learning about the truth and
divine wisdom.
It is about spiritual education.
v. 7: Woman speaks:
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
Remain in the Lord Jesus and not trouble him.
It is not about carnal love.
E. Summary
Humankind needs the Savior.
Jesus Christ is the only source of life, love and joy.
Christians must abide in the Lord always.
PART IV. SECOND POEM
A. Second Poem: 2: 8- 3: 5
B. Total Verses: 15
C. Theme: The Fiancé seeks His Beloved
D. Commentary
a. vv. 8- 17
vv. 8-10a Woman speaks: She is excited announcement of her
lover’s arrival.
She accepts the Good-news of Jesus Christ.
Woman accepts it through the Law and the Prophets of the Old
Testament.
Message came joyfully bouncing and jumping.
v. 8 Mountains and hills.
Mountain: The New Testament (place of meeting the Finance.)
Hill: Old Testament
Mountain: Mission field. (Jer. 16: 16)
v. 9 Gazelle (Heb. beauty) and young stag: Jesus Christ.
The gospel came fast and swift: fulness of time.
vv. 10b- 14 Man speaks: Man’s invitation.
1) Flower appears (v. 12).
2) Singing in the land (v. 12).
3) Cooing of the dove (v. 12).
v. 13 fig tree: Spiritual person.
Rise up: Resurrection.
v. 15 Most difficult verse.
Foxes: delightful, pleasant, threat, deceiver Luke 13: 31),
dangers of love
Hunters: Angels or Apostles.
vv. 16- 17 Woman speaks: Her desire to be with her lover.
Through resurrection, the Fiance comes to His bride.
He calls her to not afraid of sufferings and hardships.
She accepts his invitation and enters to the wedding banquet.
Structure: chiasm, unit begins and ends.
v. 8 gazelle, young stag, hill
v. 17 gazelle, young stage, mountain of Bether.
b. 3: 1- 5 Woman speaks: Seeking and Not Finding
It is a poem of yearning and longing.
Sudden change of mood.
She is talking to friends (Choir).
v. 1 She searches at night: darkness during Jesus crucifixion
(Matt. 27: 45- 52).(Cross)
v. 2 She searches at night outside: Jesus’s disciples were
hiding during Jesus’s burial. (Burial)
v. 4 She finally finds her beloved: Mary Magdalene and not
apostles. (Outside the empty tomb)
Compare vv. 3: 1-4 with John 20: 11- 18.
Woman looking for the beloved man.
She does not find him first.
She finds him and would not let go. (3: 4)
Mary Magdalene looking for Jesus in the tomb.
She does not find him first.
She finds him but he must go. (John 20: 17)
v. 5 Woman speaks:
“Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.”
Love is underlined with a warning.
Woman tells others not to rush into love.
Remain in the Lord Jesus and not trouble him.
It is not about carnal love.
E. Summary
PART V. THIRD POEM
A. Third Poem: 3: 6- 5: 1
B. Total Verses: 23
C. Theme: Memory of Engagement; Royal Wedding.
D. Commentary
a) 3: 6-11 Woman speaks: Wedding Procession
v. 6 Pillar of smoke: In the Old Testament God appeared on Mount
Sinai (Ex. 19: 18; Ex. 20: 18).
Smoke: Presence of God; fulfillment of God’s promise.
Myrrh:New life.
Incense; Frankincense: A life of prayer.
Spices: Life of Christians.
vv. 7- 11: Woman speaks: Time of the Wedding Banquet.
The day of his Wedding (hatunna): The day of joy and rejoice.
Christ dwells within her heart.
She ascends with Christ to heaven.
1) Temporary procession: While we are on earth we may struggle
and victory is given to us (church).
Warriors: Angels.
Sword: The Spirit of God.
2) Eternal procession: There is no more struggles and war, but
eternal peace and joy (Rev. 4).
Eternal adoration and worship to the Lamb of God.
b) 4: 1- 15 Man speaks:
vv. 1- 7: Woman’s beauty from head to breast.
Eyes:Spiritual enlightenment (The Holy Spirit)
Hair: Without head hair is nothing: people of God.
Teeth: Maturity: using teeth. (Pastors feed flocks.)
Lips and mouth: full of love and compassion.
Temples: Adornments, joy peace.
Neck: Faith
Two breasts: Old and New Testament
Twin: Two by two (mission works).
vv. 8- 9: Invitation and speech.
Woman invites man.
vv. 10- 15: Eating in the garden.
v. 13
pomegranates: shyness, meekness, and calmness.
Henna (koper): Preparedness.
Nard (nerd): love and thankfulness.
V. 14
saffron: Yellow in color with purple and red veins.
calamus: Sacrifice (Is. 43: 24; Jer. 6: 20)
cinnamon: Sweet fragrance, Sanctify.
myrrh (1: 13; 3: 6; 4: 6; 5: 5, 13): burial.
aloes: Indian tree.
v. 16 Woman speaks: North and South wind
Wind: The Holy Spirit.
Wind: Temptation, Outer circumstances.
c) 5: 1 Man speaks: Beginning of married life.
Man enters the garden (Place of crucifixion.)
Man gathers, eats and drunk in the garden.
-myrrh, spices, honeycomb, honey, wine, milk
Woman offers: It is for him that bride sets her table.
Jesus took up our human existence.
Total experience: Salvation.
E. Summary
Christ takes up all our sins and burdens and grants us the
salvation.
Christians are to live by the Spirit of Christ and enjoy him
only.
PART VI. FOURTH POEM
A. Fourth Poem: 5: 2- 6: 3
B. Total Verses: 18
C. Theme: Troubling Dreams: Search and Not Find
D. Commentary
The beginning of marital life.
Instead of joyful sounds of previous poems of intimate union
this poem starts out in isolation and alienation.
Then there is a brief reunion.
a. vv. 2- 8 Woman speaks:
Woman’s lover is absent from her.
She is looking for her beloved.
Man comes to the door but she refuses (vv. 2-3).
Woman changes her mind and opens the door but man is gone.
She is asking others to help her find him (6- 7).
Friends are asking the woman to describe man’s beauty (v. 9)
Christians become lukewarm in loving Jesus (Rev. 3: 15).
Christians are not participate in his suffering and falls sleep.
But God is still looking and knocking at the door of heart of
believers (Rev. 3: 20)
“Look I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears
me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share his meal
side by side with him.” (JB)
God does not change and His call does not change.
People of God accepts him (Repent).
But if the response is late, it is too late (Matt. 25: 10).
“They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those
who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door
was closed.” (JB)
God uses the method of persuasion and advice, but he does not
use violence or force.
We have to open our hearts to the One who opened the door of
life.
b. v. 9 Friends speak:
It assumes that the woman does not want to reveal man’s physical
appearance first.
What is so special about him?
Woman tells the Daughters of Jerusalem his appearance (10- 16).
In future, Jews will also accept the Lord Jesus.
Jews will realize that they also need eternal salvation and
taste heavenly love of God (Rom. 9)
c. vv. 10- 16 Woman speaks:
“Radiant and ruddy”: White and Red.
White: He is splendor.
He is the Sun of Righteousness.
Red: Redeeming act: Cross.
His splendor is mingled with Christ’s redeeming work on the
cross.
1) Head: Power of victory. Gold: Divinity.
2) Hair: Saints.
3) Eyes: Examines the hidden matters.
4) Cheek: Sacrificial love.
5) Lips: Teaching the Word of God.
6) Arms: Eternity.
7) Body: God’s deep love and compassion.
8) Legs: Journey toward eternity. Gold: heavenly nature.
9) Appearance: Forever young. Never grows old. Lebanon:
Honeymoon place.
10) Mouth: Word of God. Sweet (2: 3; 4: 11).
Psalm 119: 103, “Your promise, how sweet to my palate! Sweeter
than honey to my mouth.” (JB)
Christians must taste the sweet Word of God.
Deep kiss.
Man’s physical description is a definite proclamation of her
love for him.
Daughters of Jerusalem asked woman of her lover’s description
and she has given it to them.
Christians must proclaim and spread Jesus and good news as well.
d. 6: 1 Friends speak:
Friends are willing to help her find the man.
Non-believers are looking Jesus through Christians’s conducts
and behaviors.
Christians must lead non-believers to church, Christ.
Without church, the world would not know who is Christ and
outside of Christ there is no church.
e. vv. 2-3 Woman speaks:
Christ is continuously at work within Church, Christians.
Christ dwells in church.
Chris is the head of the Church (Eph. 5: 23; Col. 1: 18)
“For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head
of the church, his body, of which he is th Savior.” (NIV)
“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning
the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he
might have the supremacy.” (NIV)
Christians must not waste time nor energy in serving Christ and
mission works.
“Do not say in your heart, `who will ascend into heaven? (that
is to bring Christ down from above).. But what does it say? 1The
word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Rom. 10: 7-
8)
E. Summary
Believers are those who married to Jesus Christ.
At times, we becomes lazy and half-hearted in doing God’s works,
but we have to continue to witness and proclaim Jesus and his
message to the world.
The world needs Christ and Christ loves the sinners, who need
eternal salvation as well.
Even now the world is asking “Where is your beloved?”
PART VII. FIFTH POEM
A. Fifth Poem: 6: 4- 8: 4
B. Total Verses: 27
C. Theme: Praising the Bride
D. Commentary
a. vv. 6: 4- 9 Man speaks: Conversation in the garden
Tirzah: Hebrew “joy”.
Name of the youngest daughter of Zelophehad (Num. 26: 33).
Daughters of Zelophehad received their inheritance from their
father’s brother.
God gave them rights and inheritances.
His description of the unique beauty of the woman.
God takes delights in His people.
Christians carries power with beauty and inheritance from
heaven.
Christians beauty is meekness and gentleness yet with courage
and firmness.
v. 8- 9: 60 queens and 80 concubines and virgins without number
and Dove, Perfect one: Mystery of unity and Church
1) 60 queens and 80 concubines: Church of God is built and
purchased by the blood of Jesus.
Acts 20: 28, “Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the
flocks of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to
feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood.”
2) virgins: The infinite number refers to the virginity of life.
Life that is wholly devoted to the Lord.
-Virgin heart: Not accepting other lover.
-Virgin thought: Not thinking anything bu the Lord.
-Virgin feelings: Love toward the Lord. Virgin as the Kingdom o
God, who is waiting for the return of the bridegroom.
-Unifying force: Faith.
3) Dove, Perfect one: One Church (Universal) Church of God is
God’s perfect dove: Christian.
v. 4 Man praises woman.
v. 10 Woman praises man.
b. vv. 11- 12 Man speaks: Surprise in the Nut Grove.
(NLT: Woman speaks)
Man (woman) works diligently in his garden.
Study and spread the Word of God: Evangelism and mission works.
Nut: Word of God.
Outer shell: hard and dry: Jewish interpretation (Origen).
Inner layer: Sweet and delicious: sweet interpretation of the
Word. It nourishes the soul.
Amminadab:
1)The father of Nahshon (Ruth 4: 20; Ex. 6: 23) of the tribe of
Judah.
2) The son of Uzziel the Levite ( 1 Chron. 15: 3, 10), who
carried the Ark of Covenant. In the New Testament, the soul
carries the Lord Jesus Himself inside of her: Sanctification and
fruitfulness.
v. 13- 7: 1a: Chorus or Women of Jerusalem speak:
Shulammite:
1)The Mesopotamian goddess of love and war, named Sulmanitu.
2)City between Shulam and the city of Shunem: Abishag ( 1 Kings.
1: 1-4: 15. The woman who played the role of heating blanket to
the aging David.
3) A woman’s name. She brings peace to the one who loves her (8:
10).
c. vv. 7: 1b- 9a Man speaks: Description of the Shulamite Bride
The bride and the Bridegroom entered the garden and experienced
mutual love through their eternal spiritual union.
The bridegroom describes his bride, the church.
1) Sandaled feet (nādîb): Church; walk toward repentance; lower
part of body; feet that brings good news (Is. 52: 7; Nahum 1:
15))
2) Graceful leg (thigh; yārēk): The unity of whole church.
3) Your navel (hāmmûq) : Sacrament of Confirmation (Ezek. 16: 4)
4) Waist (hittâ): Storehouse of spiritual foods. Living Bread
(6: 51).
5) Breast : Old and New Testament
6) Neck: Purity of church or enduring hardships and sufferings.
7) Eye: Examines the hidden matters.
8) Nose: Brevity of church.
9) Head: Power of victory. Carmel mountain 2000 feet high.
Carmel: Prophet Elijah bowed down and worshiped God asking for
rain (1 Kgs. 18: 42- 46).
Prophet Elisha (2 Kgs. 2: 25; 4: 25) visited Mount Carmel and
met the widow and raised her only son.
Mount Carmel: Church: place of worship and raising of the dead
(resurrection).
d. vv. 9b- 8: 4: Woman speaks:
v. 11 “Let us go forth”:
Mutual openness to each other.
Woman opens her heart to Man and Man opens to her.
True marital love.
Christians must take care each other and love one another (John
13: 34).
“Brother”: She wants to accept him as a brother.
In ancient tradition, only parents and brothers and sisters were
allowed to kiss in a public place.
Christians realized that the Lord Jesus is her Bridegroom, Old
Brother and kiss him with true worship.
“Mother”: Church. Teaching and Learning.
The Church or the Heavenly Jerusalem.
“Wine”: Joy and Sweetness.
“Pomegranate”: The life of strife; but juice is sweet, joy is
mingled with labor and spiritual strife until the end.
v. 3- 4: Woman speaks: Unity with the Bridegroom.
Woman offers all her life to serve him, yet she can not think
nothing other than being with him.
True ministry goes into deep fellowship with the Lord Jesus.
There is no time to think about neglecting the Lord.
v. 4: 2: 7; 3: 5; Daughters of Jerusalem: Refrain.
-absence of “by the gazelles and the young stag”
-mah of negation rather than `im.
Warning is stronger and more urgent by shorting the command.
E. Summary
Christians are those who married to the Lord Jesus.
They are ever loved by Jesus and are encouraged to also love and
serve him.
They are encouraged to have a deep communion with him.
Church of God must always serve God.
PART VIII. EPILOGUE
A. Epilogue: 8: 5- 14
B. Total Verses: 10
C. Theme: Conclusion of the book.
D. Commentary
a. v. 5a Friends speaks:
compare with 3: 6 question “mah”? What?
The couple is leaving the wilderness for the city.
They are greeted by the chorus.
“leaning”: Complete union with each other. (Hitpael participle)
“Apple tree” (2: 3, 5; 7: 9 JB; 7: 8): Divine incarnation.
Through the divine incarnation the Church, the mother, was able
to bear children in baptism.
Through baptism, the believers rise toward the heavenward.
This is the new birth and its effect in the Christian life.
The world sees the body of Christ.
b. vv. 5b- 7 Woman speaks: Power of love
v. 5b Man’s mother: v. 2 “My mother’s house- she who has taught
me.”
Mother: Church or teaching the doctrine of God.
A place where Christians grow and mature to fit for a service.
Mother stands for a place of pregnant: Church bore Christians.
Mother stand for a place of birth and new life: Church is an Ar
of Salvation (Cyprian).
Mother stands for intimate and loving: Nourishment and caring.
v. 6 “Seal”: Soul is sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Seal is a sign of ownership and identification.
“Heart”: Inner being.
“Arm”: Action.
Heart and arm symbolize the whole person.
Woman want man to own her but not cheaply but with his own will.
This is the kind of intimacy and deep relationship that the
Church as with the the Bridegroom.
v. 6b “Love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.”
Nothing can stop death.
Woman says death is easy but it can not separate her from man.
St. Paul “ Who can separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom8:
35- 39)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or
famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I
am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present
nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
St. Augustine, “The storms of the world or the trials cannot
quench the flames of love.”
Jealousy happens in two areas in the Bible: Divine-human
relationship; Marriage relationship.
Her love can not be bought.
Because she has presented her heart to the Man.
c. 8: 8- 10
vv. 8-9 Friends speaks:
Mature Christians must help and lift weak Christians or bring
unbelievers to Christ.
Mature Christians must present the Word of God to weak
Christians.
Mature Christians must help weak Christians to become a servant
in the Lord vine.
d. vv. 10- 12 Woman speaks:
Church must introduce her Bridegroom to the world.
Call everyone to enjoy the Lord.
Christians must bear spiritual fruits.
“Two hundred”:
100 silvers for the Old Testament servants.
100 silvers for the New Testament servants.
e. vv. 13- 14 Man and Woman speak: Yearning for union.
Complete union is not for this world but for the End of time.
v. 13: Man is not in the garden but wishes to hear woman’s
voice.
v. 14 “Make Haste, my Beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young
stag on the. mountains of spices”
Woman longs for Man to come to her.
This is the conclusion of the Song: She repeats what the bride
says in the book of revelation, “Amen. Even so, come Lord
Jesus.” (Rev. 22: 20)
E. Summary
Poem ends abruptly and leaving it to ask for more.
Love between Man and Woman, God and His people, and Christ and
Church is sealed tight and eternal.
Yet there will be hardships and trials within the marriage and
must not get discouraged but stand firm in God’s love and
protection.
Final union is coming at the end time when the Bridegroom will
return and take his bridge back to her.
Meanwhile, Christian’s love must not grow cold nor disengaged
but continue to seek and love the Lord Jesus.
Because “love is as stronger as death and jealousy unyielding as
the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love, rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it
would be utterly scorned.
PART IX CONCLUSION
A. Background of the Title 2
B. Analysis of the Poem (Song of Songs) 4
C. Song of Songs in Judaism Tradition: 5
D. Characters: Based on NIV and Jerusalem Bible (JB) 7
E. Different Interpretations: 9
F. Theme: Marriage or Heavenly Wedding 10
G. Outline of the Poem 13
H. Vocabularies 14
I. Summary 16
PART II TITLE AND PROLOGUE 17
A. Title and Prologue 1: 1 -4 17
B. Total verses: 4 17
C: Theme: Woman Pursuits. 17
D. Commentary 17
V. 1: 2- 4 Woman speaks: Prologue 17
E. Summary 19
PART III FIRST POEM 21
A. First Poem 1: 5- 2: 7 21
B. Total Verses: 20 21
C. Theme: Wedding Day; Memory and Courtship: Must be born again and trust in the Lord
Jesus Christ. 21
D. Commentary 21
E. Summary 27
PART IV. SECOND POEM 28
A. Second Poem: 2: 8- 3: 5 28
B. Total Verses: 15 28
C. Theme: The Fiancé seeks His Beloved 28
D. Commentary 28
E. Summary 32
PART V. THIRD POEM 33
A. Third Poem: 3: 6- 5: 1 33
B. Total Verses: 23 33
C. Theme: Memory of Engagement; Royal Wedding. 33
D. Commentary 33
E. Summary 36
PART VI. FOURTH POEM 37
A. Fourth Poem: 5: 2- 6: 3 37
B. Total Verses: 18 37
C. Theme: Troubling Dreams: Search and Not Find 37
D. Commentary 37
E. Summary 41
PART VII. FIFTH POEM 43
A. Fifth Poem: 6: 4- 8: 4 43
B. Total Verses: 27 43
C. Theme: Praising the Bride 43
D. Commentary 43
E. Summary 49
PART VIII. EPILOGUE 50
A. Epilogue: 8: 5- 14 50
B. Total Verses: 10 50
C. Theme: Conclusion of the book. 50
D. Commentary 50
E. Summary 54
PART IX CONCLUSION 56
PART I INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Title
Hebrew Title: The Song of Solomon follows the book of Ruth in
the Old Testament.
שִׁ֥יר†הַשִּׁירִ֖ים
(sari ha sarim)
........................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
Septuagint Title: It is followed by Ecclesiastes.
ᾎσμα ᾀσμάτων,
(Âsma asmátōn)
Song of Songs
Canticle of Canticles
Different titles:
Song of Songs: Best of Songs (i.e King of Kings; Lord of the
lords; Holy of holies)
Song of Solomon
아가서: In Korean 아가서 means Beautiful Song of book.
雅歌書 (Beautiful Song)
Canticum Canticorum
Cantar De Los Cantares
The book is for the Mature Christians.
-Origen: a book of Divine love
-A solid food
The book is for the Church Sacraments.
-Baptism
-The Lord’s Supper
-Marriage
The Book of Spiritual Virginity
-Lord Jesus is the Virgin.
-His church is a virgin church.
-The virgin Soul and virgin Bridegroom.
-It is the mystery of virginity.
B. Analysis of the Poem (Song of Songs)
Time of Writing: B. C. 10th century
450- 400 B. C. During Persian period.
“Paradise” (Orchard; NIV)(4: 13) It is a Persian word.
Author: Solomon or Writer attributed to Solomon
Woman poet: Due to dominant presence of the woman and her
speeches.
Book was divided into 8 chapters.
It was divided during the Middle Ages.
Out of 117 verses, more than 60 verses are spoken by the woman.
(Tremper,7)
Woman speaks 53 %; Man speaks 39 %. (A. LaCocque and S.E.
Goitein, Tremper, 89)
C. Song of Songs in Judaism Tradition:
Jewish Rabbi Akiba (A. D. 134): The song of Song is the most
holiest book in the Bible.
Literary genre: Poetry and Wisdom literature.
One of the five of books called Megillah (Scroll)
Hebrew Poetry characteristics: Terseness (1:4), parallelism
(5:2), imagery (4:1b) and secondary poetic mode.
Hebrew tradition: It is used in the final day of the Passover
feast.
Judaism Wisdom Literature:
Song of Songs > Proverbs > Ecclesiastes
1: Song of Songs was the earliest book, which was written while
King Solomon was a young man; the Book of Proverbs came after
the Song of Songs. Solomon was in his middle ages with some
acquired wisdom along with God-given supernatural wisdom ( 1
Kgs. 3: 16); the book of Ecclesiastes wrote when he was in his
old age. There is a reflection of life as a whole.
2. Proverb > Ecclesiastes > Song of Songs
View 2: King Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs when he was a
young man (King); then he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes while
he was middle-aged and later in his life; in his old age,
Solomon wrote the book of Song of Songs to reflect his first
love (wife). And he spiritualized the marriage with God’s love
for His people, Israelites. So the book has a spiritual meaning
of God’s love.
Theology: Voice of woman is predominant and forceful and
powerful than man in the story (poem).
She speaks about love, beauty and delights and full of jealousy,
exclusiveness and power and preciousness.
God show such characters as well.
Settings: Israel (Zion), Jerusalem, Desert, Sharon, Bether,
Kedar, Salmah, Vineyards (garden), King’s Palace, Lebanon,
Tirzah, Beth Rabbim, Amana, Damascus, Gilead, Carmel, Senir, Mt.
Hermon
Purpose: Love between man and woman; God and Israel; Christ and
Church.
Facts:
Place in the Old Testament: middle of 17 x 2 (34).
Total Chapters: 8
Total Poems: 5
Total verses: 117
24 different species of plants.
10 animals.
Solomon writings: 1005 Songs written (1 Kings 4: 34)
D. Characters: Based on NIV and Jerusalem Bible (JB)
1. Man or Lover (NIV): (1: 9-11, 15, 17; 2: 2, 14- 15; 4: 1-
15; 5: 1- 1b, 6: 4- 9, 11- 12, 13b-7: 9a; 8: 13)
Bridegroom (JB): 1: 9-11, 15, 17; 2: 2; 3: 5; 4: 1- 15; 5: 1-1b,
6: 4- 12, 7: 2- 10; 8: 4-5, 8: 13)
Solomon (Shepherd 1: 7; King 1:4; 1:12; 7: 5; Jesus or God.
Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom.
-A Sufferer.
-Her Shepherd.
-Her King.
-Her Beloved.
2. Shulammite woman or Beloved (NV) (1st wife ?)
(1: 2-4a, 4bb-7, 12-14, 16- 2: 1, 3-13, 16- 3:11; 4: 16; 5: 2-
8, 10-16; 6: 2-3, 7: 9b- 8:4, 5b- 7, 10- 16; 6: 2-3; 7: 9b-8: 4;
5b-7, 10- 12, 14)
Bride (JB)(1: 2-7, 12-14, 16; 2: 1,3- 3: 4; 4: 16; 5: 2-8, 10-
16; 6: 2-3; 7: 10b-8: 3; 8: 6-7)
-Bride is the Church or the believers as a living member in the
Church.
3. Daughters of Jerusalem (group of Women or virgins or maidens
(NIV, JB)(1:3, 5; 3:11)
-Immature Christians or Jews
4. Friends (NIV)(1: 4b, 7- 8; 5: 1b, 9; 6: 10, 13; 8: 5, 8)
Poet/ Choir, (JB) (1: 7- 8 (C); 3: 6- 11 (P); 5: 1b (P); 5: 9
(C); 6: 1 (C); 7: 1 (C))
-Angels
5. (Young Sister (NIV, JB)(8: 8)
-Humanity who needs the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Mother (3:4, 11; 6:9; 8:1)
7. Father (absent)
8. Brothers or My mother’s sons (NIV, JB) (1: 6; 8: 8- 9)
E. Different Interpretations:
Allegorical: Ancient Churches approach.
Literal: Middle Ages to Reformation approach: i.e. John Calvin
Dramatic:Staged production. Ancient and Reformation approach.
Love poetry: Modern interpretation. (Human relationship)
F. Theme: Marriage or Heavenly Wedding
Solomon’s future wife: 699; Concubines 300
Engagement: 1-2 years
Marriage in the Bible: Genesis 2:22; Song of Songs 3: 11;
Malachi 2: 14; Revelation 19: 7; 21: 1-2
Jesus’s first miracle in his ministry: Marriage in Cana in
Galilee and making water into wine. (John 2) He blessed the
marriage.
Genesis 2: 22
“And the rib that God had taken from the man he made into a
woman and brought her to the man.”
Song of Songs: 3: 11
“On the day of his on the day of the gladness of his heart.”
Book of Revelation: 19: 7
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory , for the
marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made her
herself ready, it was granted her to clothe herself with fine
linen, bright and pure”- for the fine linen is the righteous
deeds of the saints.”
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven
and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any
sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of
heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her
husband.”
Marriage verses:
1: 4-brought me away
They: ladies in waiting
Name: characters (anointed oil)
Tent of Kedar: Black nomadic tent of Saudi Arabia
1: 6-Sun has tanned me
Keeper of vineyard but not her vineyard
She is aware of her appearance: we are. (mirror not in
monastery)
Where you feed your flock? Asked woman.
Smell good is important: myrrh
Wedding: 3: 6- 5: 1
Honeymoon
Throne
Bodyguards
4: 1-7 Black hair; Teeth brilliant white
3: 11 Virgin (abstinence)
5: 1 Friend to Solomon or Solomon to friends: enjoy
Marriage:
5: 2 Man wants it but she refuses
5: 3 How can I dirty again?
5: 4 She opens and He gone.
Out of whole book: 25 % deals with marriage conflicts
resolutions.
Causes of conflicts: human; difference
6: 3 Resolution
6: 4 Return of Solomon
Love won the Day
Goal is to win friend.
8: 6 For love is strong as Death
Jealousy relentless as Sheol.
On Marriage:
Getting marry is easy
Staying married is hard.
Happy marriage is difficult.
There is no perfect marriage this side of heaven.
Couple always want more or something from marriage.
Correlation: Return of bridegroom; Come back
Rev. 22: 20 Come Lord Jesus. I shall indeed be with you quickly.
Christ came as a shepherd and took us as bride and will come
back.
G. Outline of the Poem
1. 1: 1-4 Title and Prologue
2. 1: 5-2: 7 First Poem
3. 2: 8-3: 5 Second Poem
4. 3: 6-5: 1 Third Poem
5. 5: 2- 6: 3 Fourth Poem
6. 6: 4- 8: 4 Fifth Poem
7. 8: 5- 8: 14 Epilogue
Storyline:
Engagement 1: 1- 3: 5 Leaving (Poem 1-2)
Wedding 3: 6-5: 1 Cleaving (Poem 3)
Marriage 5: 2- 8: 14 Grieving (Poem 4-5; Epilogue)
H. Vocabularies:
Plants: 15
Body:
Solomon: 8
pomegranates-석류 4: 13
henna with nard-감송향 켐퍼 고벨화 4:13
nard- 나도 감송향 4: 14
saffron-사프란 4: 14
calmus-창포 4: 14
cinnamon-케피나무 4: 14
franincense-유향 4: 14
myrrh-몰약 4: 14
aloes-알로에 4: 14
lily-백홥화 4: 5
Rose-장미 2: 1
Cedar 백향목 1:17
Cypress 잣나무 1: 17
Fig tree 무화과 나무 2: 13
Head-5: 11
eyes 5: 12
cheeks 5: 13
lip 5: 13
arms 5: 14
body 5: 14
legs 5: 15
appearance5:15
speech 5: 16
Feet 7: 1
rounded thighs 7:1
navel 7: 2
belly 7: 2
two breasts 7: 3
neck 7: 4
eyes 7: 4
nose 7: 4
head 7: 5
1: 1, 5, 3; 3: 7, 9, 11; 8: 11-12
2.7
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild does:do not stir up or awaken love
until it is ready.
2:7; 3: 5: 8:4
I am my beloved's and My beloved is mine
2:16; 6: 3
Creatures, animals: 11
Shelters: 15
3.5
8.4
Doves 비둘기 2:14; 5:2; 6:9
Mare 준마 1: 9
Kid 염소새끼 1:9
Gazelles 노루 2:7
Doe 들 사슴 2: 7
Young Stag 어린 사슴 2: 9
Fox 여우 2:15
Lion 사자 4:8
Leopards 표범 4:8
Goat 염소 4:1
Ewes 암양 4:2
Jerusalem
Kedar, SA 1:5
En-Gedi 1:14
Sharon 2:1
Lebanon 3:9
Amana 3:8
Senir 3:8
Hermon 3:8
Tirzah 6:4
Gilead 6:5
Heshbon 7:4
Beth-rabbim 7:4
Damascus 7:4
Fruits/ Etc: 8
Metals: 4
I. Summary
1. It affirms human love, sex within the context of marriage.
2. Love emotion has its dangers.
3. God is described as marriage as a metaphor.
Carmel 7:5
Behter 2:17
Apple 사과 2:3
Dates 대추 7:9
Nut tree 푸른 초목 6:11
Raisin 건포도 2:5
Honey 꿀 4:11
Honey comb 4:11
Milk 젖 5:1
Vine 포도나무 2:13
Wine 포도주 1:4; 4:10; 5:1; 7:2,9; 8:2
Gold 금 1: 11
Silver 은 1: 11
Ornaments 구슬 궤미 1:10
Golden ornament 금사슬 1:11
PART II TITLE AND PROLOGUE
A. Title and Prologue 1: 1 -4
B. Total verses: 4
C: Theme: Woman Pursuits.
D. Commentary
Title has a superscription.
Song of Solomon
(Hebrew “le”; to, by, regarding)
To Solomon: The book was dedicated to Solomon
By Solomon: Solomon
Regarding Solomon: Poem resolves around Solomon
V. 1: 2- 4 Woman speaks: Prologue
Characters involved: 4
1. Lover
2. Beloved
3. King
4. Maidens
Bernard of Clairvaux notes the woman speaking already
presupposes relationship and conversations.
First poem starts with the Woman desiring for the man.
It is not about man and woman relationship but of God and
Israelites during Exodus period.
Woman is Church or Israel.
Man is God or Jesus Christ.
v. 2 Kiss: intense relationship
Wine: intoxicating (love), joy, and strong, Blood of Christ.
v. 3 Oil: Aromatic oils; cologne, holy oil, anointing
-Opening of heaven on earth (Gen 28: 18; 31: 13)
-The meeting between God and Man.
-The dwelling of God among His people.
-The anoining of priests and kings according to the Law (Ex. 40:
15; 1 Samuel 10: 1)
v. 4 King: God or Jesus
Me: Woman
You: Another person
We: Woman and another person
v. 4 Bedroom is Land of Palestine.
-the mystery of baptism.
v. 3, 4 Chorus of women or young woman: Happy and approve the
union.
“For good is your love more than wine;
As for the scent, your oils are good.
2b-3a chiasm (교차 대구법; 병행배열)
E. Summary
It is yearning poem.
It is a desire of woman for union with the man.
It is the desire of the believers to be with Jesus.
PART III FIRST POEM
A. First Poem 1: 5- 2: 7
B. Total Verses: 20
C. Theme: Wedding Day; Memory and Courtship: Must be born again
and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
D. Commentary
a. 5-6 Woman speaks: Dark but beautiful
1) Woman addresses the daughters of Jerusalem.
-They accuses the woman as dark.
-Jews (Jerusalem) thinks that they are beautiful.
2) Apology of her appearance.
Dark: Ignorant or lack of teaching of Christ (Christian faith).
St. Augustine, the human soul before her unity with Christ is as
black as coal.
St. Ambrose, dark and beauty as church.
Church is as weak but also beautiful as through the mystery of
faith.
3)Her brothers are introduced
v. 6 “My mother’s sons fought for me and not against me.”
(Origen trans.)
Origen, brothers are apostles or angels.
They protect and taught church.
b. 1: 7- 8 Invitation to A Tryst
1) Woman asking a man (Shepherd)
v. 7 Veil is not common; it was for a special occasions, such as
wedding or prostitute (Gen 38: 14-15), or show off.
Noon: Perfect God’s glory.
-The Lord appeared at noon (Gen. 18: 1).
-Joseph and his brother ate at noon (Gen. 43: 15).
-Jesus appeared to Paul at noon (Acts 22: 6).
2) Man responses to the woman
V. 8 First time he speaks.
-Woman needs to know herself.
-Woman needs to follow her shepherd.
-Woman needs to witness Christ to sinners.
He does not give clear answer.
3) Friends are responding
Same as above.
c. 1: 9- 11 Man speaks: Beautiful Mare
1) Man speaks. He admires her physical beauty.
v. 9 Compare her with mare, jewelry and ornaments.
And this makes men crazy or distraction.
Mare: Christians must carry cross and works of God.
-Need strengths and responsibilities.
-Sources of strengths must come from Christ.
-John saw the Church as a White horse (Rev. 6: 2)
Jewelry may used for the people of faith. (1 Tim. 2-9)
v. 10 earring (nequddot)enhances her beauty.
-It must be a sign of humility with chastity.
-Neck is the spirit of obedience and serving others.
-Gold and Silver are the Law and the Commandments.
Compare her with a royal motif: Pharaoh.
-Pharaoh’s chariots were drowned in the Red Sea.
-Christians baptism and became sanctified.
-Christians are children of the King of Kings.
d. 1: 12- 14 Woman speaks: Intimate Fragrances: Messiah as the
King
v. 12 Woman speaks to the man (King).
Church looks to Jesus.
Jesus fights for His church and make her queen.
v. 13 Jesus is sachet of myrrh.
Sachet is the Old Testament.
Myrrh is the New Testament.
Two breasts are the Old and the New Testament.
v. 14 Cluster of henna blooms in the vineyard of En Gedi
-Bride dyes (red) her hands with on the night before the
wedding.
-Church can only become queen when she holds the hand of
Bridegroom’s Cross-born hands (red).
-Church gets strength and her beauty from communes with her
Bridegroom.
v. 15 Man speaks: eyes are doves
-Eyes are the source of enlightenment.
-The Holy Spirit as the doves.
e. 16-17 Woman speaks: Mystery of Unity
-Intimate encounter.
-Fir trees: great power and sweet aroma.
-Church leaders have great responsibilities and must show Christ
fragrance (teaching and serving).
v. 16 “Our bed is green”: woman’s body does not belong to
herself but to her Bridegroom.
Green (ra’ana): Flourishing, and luxurious.
Our bodies are members of Christ. (1 Cor. 6: 15)
f. 2: 1-7 Floral images: Flowers and Trees
v. 1 “I am a rose (habasselet)of Sharon,
a lily (sosanna)of the Valleys.”
Joy can be only found to those who are redeemed by God.
St. Jerome, Jesus is the flower of the Jewish nation and lily of
the Gentile.
Jesus is the Savior to the all nations (both Jews and Gentiles).
v. 2 Man speaks: “My darling” (ra`yati). She is the best.
Just like man is lily, woman has to be lily: Believers must
become like Jesus like.
Thorns: hardships and sufferings.
Christians are not majority in the world, but will shine at the
time of judgment. (Matt. 3: 12)
vv. 3-7 Woman speaks: In the house of perfect love.
v. 3 “Apple tree” (5; 7: 9 JB; 7: 8): Divine incarnation.
Through the divine incarnation the Church, the mother, was able
to bear children in baptism.
Through baptism, the believers rise toward the heavenward.
This is the new birth and its effect in the Christian life.
v. 3 “sit”: It is an intimate relationship between God and his
people. (Hosea 14: 8a (14: 7a))
God will protect his peoples. (Giving them a shelter.)
v. 4 “Banquet hall”: new life.
It symbolizes feast and wisdom: learning about the truth and
divine wisdom.
It is about spiritual education.
v. 7: Woman speaks:
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
Remain in the Lord Jesus and not trouble him.
It is not about carnal love.
E. Summary
Humankind needs the Savior.
Jesus Christ is the only source of life, love and joy.
Christians must abide in the Lord always.
PART IV. SECOND POEM
A. Second Poem: 2: 8- 3: 5
B. Total Verses: 15
C. Theme: The Fiancé seeks His Beloved
D. Commentary
a. vv. 8- 17
vv. 8-10a Woman speaks: She is excited announcement of her
lover’s arrival.
She accepts the Good-news of Jesus Christ.
Woman accepts it through the Law and the Prophets of the Old
Testament.
Message came joyfully bouncing and jumping.
v. 8 Mountains and hills.
Mountain: The New Testament (place of meeting the Finance.)
Hill: Old Testament
Mountain: Mission field. (Jer. 16: 16)
v. 9 Gazelle (Heb. beauty) and young stag: Jesus Christ.
The gospel came fast and swift: fulness of time.
vv. 10b- 14 Man speaks: Man’s invitation.
1) Flower appears (v. 12).
2) Singing in the land (v. 12).
3) Cooing of the dove (v. 12).
v. 13 fig tree: Spiritual person.
Rise up: Resurrection.
v. 15 Most difficult verse.
Foxes: delightful, pleasant, threat, deceiver Luke 13: 31),
dangers of love
Hunters: Angels or Apostles.
vv. 16- 17 Woman speaks: Her desire to be with her lover.
Through resurrection, the Fiance comes to His bride.
He calls her to not afraid of sufferings and hardships.
She accepts his invitation and enters to the wedding banquet.
Structure: chiasm, unit begins and ends.
v. 8 gazelle, young stag, hill
v. 17 gazelle, young stage, mountain of Bether.
b. 3: 1- 5 Woman speaks: Seeking and Not Finding
It is a poem of yearning and longing.
Sudden change of mood.
She is talking to friends (Choir).
v. 1 She searches at night: darkness during Jesus crucifixion
(Matt. 27: 45- 52).(Cross)
v. 2 She searches at night outside: Jesus’s disciples were
hiding during Jesus’s burial. (Burial)
v. 4 She finally finds her beloved: Mary Magdalene and not
apostles. (Outside the empty tomb)
Compare vv. 3: 1-4 with John 20: 11- 18.
Woman looking for the beloved man.
She does not find him first.
She finds him and would not let go. (3: 4)
Mary Magdalene looking for Jesus in the tomb.
She does not find him first.
She finds him but he must go. (John 20: 17)
v. 5 Woman speaks:
“Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.”
Love is underlined with a warning.
Woman tells others not to rush into love.
Remain in the Lord Jesus and not trouble him.
It is not about carnal love.
E. Summary
PART V. THIRD POEM
A. Third Poem: 3: 6- 5: 1
B. Total Verses: 23
C. Theme: Memory of Engagement; Royal Wedding.
D. Commentary
a) 3: 6-11 Woman speaks: Wedding Procession
v. 6 Pillar of smoke: In the Old Testament God appeared on Mount
Sinai (Ex. 19: 18; Ex. 20: 18).
Smoke: Presence of God; fulfillment of God’s promise.
Myrrh:New life.
Incense; Frankincense: A life of prayer.
Spices: Life of Christians.
vv. 7- 11: Woman speaks: Time of the Wedding Banquet.
The day of his Wedding (hatunna): The day of joy and rejoice.
Christ dwells within her heart.
She ascends with Christ to heaven.
1) Temporary procession: While we are on earth we may struggle
and victory is given to us (church).
Warriors: Angels.
Sword: The Spirit of God.
2) Eternal procession: There is no more struggles and war, but
eternal peace and joy (Rev. 4).
Eternal adoration and worship to the Lamb of God.
b) 4: 1- 15 Man speaks:
vv. 1- 7: Woman’s beauty from head to breast.
Eyes:Spiritual enlightenment (The Holy Spirit)
Hair: Without head hair is nothing: people of God.
Teeth: Maturity: using teeth. (Pastors feed flocks.)
Lips and mouth: full of love and compassion.
Temples: Adornments, joy peace.
Neck: Faith
Two breasts: Old and New Testament
Twin: Two by two (mission works).
vv. 8- 9: Invitation and speech.
Woman invites man.
vv. 10- 15: Eating in the garden.
v. 13
pomegranates: shyness, meekness, and calmness.
Henna (koper): Preparedness.
Nard (nerd): love and thankfulness.
V. 14
saffron: Yellow in color with purple and red veins.
calamus: Sacrifice (Is. 43: 24; Jer. 6: 20)
cinnamon: Sweet fragrance, Sanctify.
myrrh (1: 13; 3: 6; 4: 6; 5: 5, 13): burial.
aloes: Indian tree.
v. 16 Woman speaks: North and South wind
Wind: The Holy Spirit.
Wind: Temptation, Outer circumstances.
c) 5: 1 Man speaks: Beginning of married life.
Man enters the garden (Place of crucifixion.)
Man gathers, eats and drunk in the garden.
-myrrh, spices, honeycomb, honey, wine, milk
Woman offers: It is for him that bride sets her table.
Jesus took up our human existence.
Total experience: Salvation.
E. Summary
Christ takes up all our sins and burdens and grants us the
salvation.
Christians are to live by the Spirit of Christ and enjoy him
only.
PART VI. FOURTH POEM
A. Fourth Poem: 5: 2- 6: 3
B. Total Verses: 18
C. Theme: Troubling Dreams: Search and Not Find
D. Commentary
The beginning of marital life.
Instead of joyful sounds of previous poems of intimate union
this poem starts out in isolation and alienation.
Then there is a brief reunion.
a. vv. 2- 8 Woman speaks:
Woman’s lover is absent from her.
She is looking for her beloved.
Man comes to the door but she refuses (vv. 2-3).
Woman changes her mind and opens the door but man is gone.
She is asking others to help her find him (6- 7).
Friends are asking the woman to describe man’s beauty (v. 9)
Christians become lukewarm in loving Jesus (Rev. 3: 15).
Christians are not participate in his suffering and falls sleep.
But God is still looking and knocking at the door of heart of
believers (Rev. 3: 20)
“Look I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears
me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share his meal
side by side with him.” (JB)
God does not change and His call does not change.
People of God accepts him (Repent).
But if the response is late, it is too late (Matt. 25: 10).
“They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those
who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door
was closed.” (JB)
God uses the method of persuasion and advice, but he does not
use violence or force.
We have to open our hearts to the One who opened the door of
life.
b. v. 9 Friends speak:
It assumes that the woman does not want to reveal man’s physical
appearance first.
What is so special about him?
Woman tells the Daughters of Jerusalem his appearance (10- 16).
In future, Jews will also accept the Lord Jesus.
Jews will realize that they also need eternal salvation and
taste heavenly love of God (Rom. 9)
c. vv. 10- 16 Woman speaks:
“Radiant and ruddy”: White and Red.
White: He is splendor.
He is the Sun of Righteousness.
Red: Redeeming act: Cross.
His splendor is mingled with Christ’s redeeming work on the
cross.
1) Head: Power of victory. Gold: Divinity.
2) Hair: Saints.
3) Eyes: Examines the hidden matters.
4) Cheek: Sacrificial love.
5) Lips: Teaching the Word of God.
6) Arms: Eternity.
7) Body: God’s deep love and compassion.
8) Legs: Journey toward eternity. Gold: heavenly nature.
9) Appearance: Forever young. Never grows old. Lebanon:
Honeymoon place.
10) Mouth: Word of God. Sweet (2: 3; 4: 11).
Psalm 119: 103, “Your promise, how sweet to my palate! Sweeter
than honey to my mouth.” (JB)
Christians must taste the sweet Word of God.
Deep kiss.
Man’s physical description is a definite proclamation of her
love for him.
Daughters of Jerusalem asked woman of her lover’s description
and she has given it to them.
Christians must proclaim and spread Jesus and good news as well.
d. 6: 1 Friends speak:
Friends are willing to help her find the man.
Non-believers are looking Jesus through Christians’s conducts
and behaviors.
Christians must lead non-believers to church, Christ.
Without church, the world would not know who is Christ and
outside of Christ there is no church.
e. vv. 2-3 Woman speaks:
Christ is continuously at work within Church, Christians.
Christ dwells in church.
Chris is the head of the Church (Eph. 5: 23; Col. 1: 18)
“For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head
of the church, his body, of which he is th Savior.” (NIV)
“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning
the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he
might have the supremacy.” (NIV)
Christians must not waste time nor energy in serving Christ and
mission works.
“Do not say in your heart, `who will ascend into heaven? (that
is to bring Christ down from above).. But what does it say? 1The
word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Rom. 10: 7-
8)
E. Summary
Believers are those who married to Jesus Christ.
At times, we becomes lazy and half-hearted in doing God’s works,
but we have to continue to witness and proclaim Jesus and his
message to the world.
The world needs Christ and Christ loves the sinners, who need
eternal salvation as well.
Even now the world is asking “Where is your beloved?”
PART VII. FIFTH POEM
A. Fifth Poem: 6: 4- 8: 4
B. Total Verses: 27
C. Theme: Praising the Bride
D. Commentary
a. vv. 6: 4- 9 Man speaks: Conversation in the garden
Tirzah: Hebrew “joy”.
Name of the youngest daughter of Zelophehad (Num. 26: 33).
Daughters of Zelophehad received their inheritance from their
father’s brother.
God gave them rights and inheritances.
His description of the unique beauty of the woman.
God takes delights in His people.
Christians carries power with beauty and inheritance from
heaven.
Christians beauty is meekness and gentleness yet with courage
and firmness.
v. 8- 9: 60 queens and 80 concubines and virgins without number
and Dove, Perfect one: Mystery of unity and Church
1) 60 queens and 80 concubines: Church of God is built and
purchased by the blood of Jesus.
Acts 20: 28, “Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the
flocks of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to
feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood.”
2) virgins: The infinite number refers to the virginity of life.
Life that is wholly devoted to the Lord.
-Virgin heart: Not accepting other lover.
-Virgin thought: Not thinking anything bu the Lord.
-Virgin feelings: Love toward the Lord. Virgin as the Kingdom o
God, who is waiting for the return of the bridegroom.
-Unifying force: Faith.
3) Dove, Perfect one: One Church (Universal) Church of God is
God’s perfect dove: Christian.
v. 4 Man praises woman.
v. 10 Woman praises man.
b. vv. 11- 12 Man speaks: Surprise in the Nut Grove.
(NLT: Woman speaks)
Man (woman) works diligently in his garden.
Study and spread the Word of God: Evangelism and mission works.
Nut: Word of God.
Outer shell: hard and dry: Jewish interpretation (Origen).
Inner layer: Sweet and delicious: sweet interpretation of the
Word. It nourishes the soul.
Amminadab:
1)The father of Nahshon (Ruth 4: 20; Ex. 6: 23) of the tribe of
Judah.
2) The son of Uzziel the Levite ( 1 Chron. 15: 3, 10), who
carried the Ark of Covenant. In the New Testament, the soul
carries the Lord Jesus Himself inside of her: Sanctification and
fruitfulness.
v. 13- 7: 1a: Chorus or Women of Jerusalem speak:
Shulammite:
1)The Mesopotamian goddess of love and war, named Sulmanitu.
2)City between Shulam and the city of Shunem: Abishag ( 1 Kings.
1: 1-4: 15. The woman who played the role of heating blanket to
the aging David.
3) A woman’s name. She brings peace to the one who loves her (8:
10).
c. vv. 7: 1b- 9a Man speaks: Description of the Shulamite Bride
The bride and the Bridegroom entered the garden and experienced
mutual love through their eternal spiritual union.
The bridegroom describes his bride, the church.
1) Sandaled feet (nādîb): Church; walk toward repentance; lower
part of body; feet that brings good news (Is. 52: 7; Nahum 1:
15))
2) Graceful leg (thigh; yārēk): The unity of whole church.
3) Your navel (hāmmûq) : Sacrament of Confirmation (Ezek. 16: 4)
4) Waist (hittâ): Storehouse of spiritual foods. Living Bread
(6: 51).
5) Breast : Old and New Testament
6) Neck: Purity of church or enduring hardships and sufferings.
7) Eye: Examines the hidden matters.
8) Nose: Brevity of church.
9) Head: Power of victory. Carmel mountain 2000 feet high.
Carmel: Prophet Elijah bowed down and worshiped God asking for
rain (1 Kgs. 18: 42- 46).
Prophet Elisha (2 Kgs. 2: 25; 4: 25) visited Mount Carmel and
met the widow and raised her only son.
Mount Carmel: Church: place of worship and raising of the dead
(resurrection).
d. vv. 9b- 8: 4: Woman speaks:
v. 11 “Let us go forth”:
Mutual openness to each other.
Woman opens her heart to Man and Man opens to her.
True marital love.
Christians must take care each other and love one another (John
13: 34).
“Brother”: She wants to accept him as a brother.
In ancient tradition, only parents and brothers and sisters were
allowed to kiss in a public place.
Christians realized that the Lord Jesus is her Bridegroom, Old
Brother and kiss him with true worship.
“Mother”: Church. Teaching and Learning.
The Church or the Heavenly Jerusalem.
“Wine”: Joy and Sweetness.
“Pomegranate”: The life of strife; but juice is sweet, joy is
mingled with labor and spiritual strife until the end.
v. 3- 4: Woman speaks: Unity with the Bridegroom.
Woman offers all her life to serve him, yet she can not think
nothing other than being with him.
True ministry goes into deep fellowship with the Lord Jesus.
There is no time to think about neglecting the Lord.
v. 4: 2: 7; 3: 5; Daughters of Jerusalem: Refrain.
-absence of “by the gazelles and the young stag”
-mah of negation rather than `im.
Warning is stronger and more urgent by shorting the command.
E. Summary
Christians are those who married to the Lord Jesus.
They are ever loved by Jesus and are encouraged to also love and
serve him.
They are encouraged to have a deep communion with him.
Church of God must always serve God.
PART VIII. EPILOGUE
A. Epilogue: 8: 5- 14
B. Total Verses: 10
C. Theme: Conclusion of the book.
D. Commentary
a. v. 5a Friends speaks:
compare with 3: 6 question “mah”? What?
The couple is leaving the wilderness for the city.
They are greeted by the chorus.
“leaning”: Complete union with each other. (Hitpael participle)
“Apple tree” (2: 3, 5; 7: 9 JB; 7: 8): Divine incarnation.
Through the divine incarnation the Church, the mother, was able
to bear children in baptism.
Through baptism, the believers rise toward the heavenward.
This is the new birth and its effect in the Christian life.
The world sees the body of Christ.
b. vv. 5b- 7 Woman speaks: Power of love
v. 5b Man’s mother: v. 2 “My mother’s house- she who has taught
me.”
Mother: Church or teaching the doctrine of God.
A place where Christians grow and mature to fit for a service.
Mother stands for a place of pregnant: Church bore Christians.
Mother stand for a place of birth and new life: Church is an Ar
of Salvation (Cyprian).
Mother stands for intimate and loving: Nourishment and caring.
v. 6 “Seal”: Soul is sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Seal is a sign of ownership and identification.
“Heart”: Inner being.
“Arm”: Action.
Heart and arm symbolize the whole person.
Woman want man to own her but not cheaply but with his own will.
This is the kind of intimacy and deep relationship that the
Church as with the the Bridegroom.
v. 6b “Love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.”
Nothing can stop death.
Woman says death is easy but it can not separate her from man.
St. Paul “ Who can separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom8:
35- 39)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or
famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I
am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present
nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
St. Augustine, “The storms of the world or the trials cannot
quench the flames of love.”
Jealousy happens in two areas in the Bible: Divine-human
relationship; Marriage relationship.
Her love can not be bought.
Because she has presented her heart to the Man.
c. 8: 8- 10
vv. 8-9 Friends speaks:
Mature Christians must help and lift weak Christians or bring
unbelievers to Christ.
Mature Christians must present the Word of God to weak
Christians.
Mature Christians must help weak Christians to become a servant
in the Lord vine.
d. vv. 10- 12 Woman speaks:
Church must introduce her Bridegroom to the world.
Call everyone to enjoy the Lord.
Christians must bear spiritual fruits.
“Two hundred”:
100 silvers for the Old Testament servants.
100 silvers for the New Testament servants.
e. vv. 13- 14 Man and Woman speak: Yearning for union.
Complete union is not for this world but for the End of time.
v. 13: Man is not in the garden but wishes to hear woman’s
voice.
v. 14 “Make Haste, my Beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young
stag on the. mountains of spices”
Woman longs for Man to come to her.
This is the conclusion of the Song: She repeats what the bride
says in the book of revelation, “Amen. Even so, come Lord
Jesus.” (Rev. 22: 20)
E. Summary
Poem ends abruptly and leaving it to ask for more.
Love between Man and Woman, God and His people, and Christ and
Church is sealed tight and eternal.
Yet there will be hardships and trials within the marriage and
must not get discouraged but stand firm in God’s love and
protection.
Final union is coming at the end time when the Bridegroom will
return and take his bridge back to her.
Meanwhile, Christian’s love must not grow cold nor disengaged
but continue to seek and love the Lord Jesus.
Because “love is as stronger as death and jealousy unyielding as
the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love, rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it
would be utterly scorned.
PART IX CONCLUSION