Introducing the Song of Songs
1:1 and the issues of authorship, date, and title
Rabbi Akiba once said that “the whole world is not worth the day on which the Song of Songs was given to Israel; all the writings are holy, and the Song of Songs is the holy of holies.”1
Why has the Song of Songs glimmered with such glory in the minds of readers over the centuries? What is it about this piece of writing that has intrigued countless preachers and commentators throughout church history? And as Christians, how should we approach this eight-chapter Song? What wisdom does it have to teach the disciples of Jesus? How does the Song connect to the rest of the Old Testament? Does it relate at all to the New?
Duane Garrett said, “Probably no piece of poetry has been subjected to such a diversity of interpretations as has the Song.”2
What you’re reading is the first in a series of posts exploring Solomon’s greatest song. In this series, we’ll explore the book’s background and content, its big picture and controversy. We’ll unpack every section of the book, interacting with biblical theology and historical interpretations. Let’s get started.