SS 7
1-9 Beloved describes Maiden
Third description of Maiden’s body
- admiration now occurs in public space
- (previously also in chapters 4 and 6)
Reversed bodily order
- Feet→ thighs → navel → belly → breasts → neck → eyes → head
- contrasts earlier top-down gaze
| Body / Aspect | Description |
| Feet | Beautiful in sandals |
| Thighs | Like jewels, the work of a master hand |
| Navel | A rounded bowl that never lacks mixed wine |
| Belly | A heap of wheat set about with lilies |
| Breasts | Like two fawns, twins of a gazelle |
| Neck | Like a tower of ivory |
| Eyes | Pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim |
| Nose | Like the tower of Lebanon looking toward Damascus |
| Head | Crowning like Mount Carmel |
| Hair | Like purple, a king held captive in the tresses |
6-9 Beloved Continues
Direct address “How beautiful and pleasant”
Palm tree imagery
- Stature and breasts
Wine imagery returns
- speech likened to flowing wine
10 – Maiden
Reciprocal identity
- “I am my beloved’s”
It goes down smoothly for my beloved, gliding over lips and teeth.
- “It” refers to “May your mouth be like the best wine.”
- pleasure that is freely enjoyed and mutual
11-13 Maiden Continues
Countryside imagery
- villages, vineyards, fields
Mandrakes
- fertility symbolism
- Shown in Genesis 30 with Rachel and Leah
SS 8
1-4 Maiden
Longing for intimacy
- Being able to have public displays of affection like siblings could have
Left hand under head
- Repeated from chapter 2 – perhaps referring to sex
Refrain repeated
- “do not awaken love before its time”
5-7 Maiden Continues
Who is this coming up from the wilderness?
- Could be a family member/friend speaking, unsure if it is Maiden herself
Seal language
- permanence and exclusivity
Fire imagery
- Jealousy, intensity
8-10 Others and Maiden
Brothers’ concern
- protection and readiness emphasized
Wall vs door imagery
- Brothers help guide Maiden
Her response
- “I am a wall”
- agency claimed, she is now ready
11-12 Maiden
Solomon referenced
Personal vineyard
- love retained, virginity kept
You, O Solomon, may have a thousand,
And those who tend its fruit two hundred.
- Solomon may have his own 1000s of vineyards, but the Maiden’s garden is her own.
13-14 Beloved and Maiden
Final address
“You who dwell in gardens” – well cared for
Maiden responds to make haste and to return
Isaiah 1
This book is the prophetic vision of Isaiah during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah
See timeline from https://www.biblechronologytimeline.com/biblechronologytimeline7.html
YHWH is upset at Judah as they have rebelled against Him. He brought them up but they do not care.
“Why will you still be struck down?”
- discipline has not produced repentance
Body imagery
- head sick
- heart faint
- wounds untreated
Land imagery
- cities burned
- fields devoured by strangers
Remnant theme introduced
- “a very small remnant”
- without it, Judah would be Sodom
Empty religious ceremonies “I cannot endure”
- sacrifices
- offerings
- incense
- festivals
- prayers
Call to repentance
- wash
- make yourselves clean
- remove evil
- Learn good
- Seek justice
- Rebuke oppressor
- Defend fatherless
- Plead for widow.
Promise of Redemption “Come now, let us reason together”
- scarlet → white as snow
- crimson → wool
City personified as a woman
- once faithful, now a harlot
JUSTICE : Refining imagery
- dross removed
- alloy burned away
Purpose of judgment: restoration, not complete annihilation
Questions:
What does Song of Solomon 8:12 mean? The 200?
Application:
Song of Songs 7-8 presents love as confident and freely given. Intimacy is portrayed as a gift that cannot be bought and is meant to be guarded for the one God brings. Isaiah 1 contrasts this type of love. Here, the relationship with God and covenantal intimacy has become transactional. Reading these books together is interesting because it highlights the contrast between a love that is beautiful and a love that has been broken.
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