Song of Songs

by Longman, Tremper, III

• ISBN13: 9780802825438
• ISBN10: 0802825435
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-09-01
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co

Summary

In this commentary Longman unpacks what this ancient love poem reveals about the male-female relationship and about God's love for His people. Beginning with an extensive introduction to the book and its background, the author discusses Song of Songs' authorship, date, literary style, language, structure, and theological content.

Author Biography

Tremper Longman III is the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California.

Table of Contents

General Editor's Preface	xi
Author's Preface	xiii
Abbreviations	xv
Introduction
Title	1	(1)
Authorship	2	(7)
Literary Style	9	(8)
Language	17	(2)
Date	19	(1)
The Text	19	(1)
History of Interpretation	20	(28)
Genre	48	(1)
Ancient Near Eastern Background	49	(5)
Structure	54	(2)
Canon	56	(2)
The Significance and Theology of The Song of Songs	58	(12)
Bibliography	70
TEXT AND COMMENTARY
Superscription (1:1)	87
Poem One: The Woman's Pursuit (1:2--4)	89
Poem Two: Dark, but Beautiful (1:5--6)	95
Poem Three: An Invitation to a Tryst (1:7--8)	99
Poem Four: A Beautiful Mare (1:9--11)	102
Poem Five: Intimate Fragrances (1:12--14)	104
Poem Six: Outdoor Love (1:15--17)	107
Poem Seven: Flowers and Trees (2:1--7)	109
Poem Eight: A Poem of Spring (2:8--17)	116
Poem Nine: Seeking and (Not) Finding (3:1--5)	127
Poem Ten: A Royal Wedding Procession (3:6--11)	131
Poem Eleven: From Head to Breasts: The Man's Sensuous Description of the Woman (4:1--7)	140
Poem Twelve: The Invitation (4:8--9)	148
Poem Thirteen: Eating in the Garden of Love (4:10--5:1)	152
Poem Fourteen: To Search and (Not) Find, Once Again (5:2--6:3)	160
Poem Fifteen: Awesome As an Army under Banners (6:4--10)	177
Poem Sixteen: A Surprise in the Nut Grove (6:11--12)	183
Poem Seventeen: A Description of the Dancing Shulammite (7:1--11 [English 6:13--7:10])	188
Poem Eighteen: I Will Give You My Love (7:12--14 [English 7:11--13])	199
Poem Nineteen: Yearing for Love (8:1--4)	203
Poem Twenty: Like a Seal (8:5--7)	206
Poem Twenty-One: Protecting the Sister (8:8--10)	215
Poem Twenty-Two: Who Owns the Vineyard? (8:11--12)	218
Poem Twenty-Three: Be Like a Gazelle (8:13--14)	220
INDEXES
I. Subjects	223
II. Authors	225
III. Scripture References	229
IV. Foreign Words	235