Coming from the Wilderness for the Wedding

Reflecting on Song of Songs 3:6–11

The central scene in the Song of Songs is a wedding and the wedding night. This scene is from 3:6–5:1, and its central placement in the book signals its importance. We read of pomp and circumstance, the formation of a covenant, and the highly descriptive language from the husband to his wife.

Along the way there are indications that this scene is about more than a couple on their wedding day and wedding night. Certain images and phrases recall the Israelites and their relationship with the Lord. And there are words that take the reader back even earlier than Israel—all the way back to Eden itself.