Introduction to Song of Songs

Section C´: Night of separation following wedding night (5:2-7:9)

A.She is awakened, alone, and reluctant (5:2-8)

B.Awakened to give tenfold praise (5:9-16)

C.Aware of his presence in the garden (6:1-3)

D.Receives his praise in the garden (6:4-10)

C´.Recounts her journey to the garden (6:11-13)

B´.Receives tenfold praise (7:1-5)

A´.Delightfully make love, together drift off to sleep (7:6-9)

Section B´: Invitation to Enjoy a Spring Day (7:10-8:4)

C´.Enjoyment of breasts and refrain of unity (7:7-8,10)

B´.Her invitation to come enjoy spring then return to her house (7:11-8:2)

A´.Refrains of longing and patience (8:3-4)

Section A´: Their Story Complete (8:3-14)

E´.Refrains conclude Section B´ and begin Section A´ (8:3-4)

D´.Love’s devotion (8:5-7)

C´.Shulamith’s character and beauty (8:8-9)

B´.Her brothers, their vineyards, and her appearance (8:10-12)

A´.Shulamith, Solomon, and Shulamith’s companions (8:13-14)

The design of the Song underscores its central theme: a celebration of the goodness and beauty of romantic love.

Abraham 2166-1991

Stonehenge construction, phase I 2900

Stonehenge construction, phase II 2900-2400

Epic of Gilgamesh oral tradition developed from 2700 to 1400

First libraries in Egypt 2500-2000

Stonehenge construction, phase III 2400-1600

Moses 1526-1406

The Love Poem of a Persistent Woman, Old Babylonian 2017-1794

Dumuzi-Inanna Love Songs, Sumerian 2000

An Old Akkadian Love Charm 2000

Love Lyrics of Rim-Sin, Akkadian 1822-1763

Message of Lundingirra to His Mother, Old Babylonian 1800-1600

Love Lyrics of Nanay and Muati, Old Babylonian 1711-1684

Heavy import and export trade, Egypt 1500-1000

Events in Joshua 1406-1380?

Events in Judges 1380?-1060?

Egyptian Love Poetry 1305-1150

Love Lyrics of Nabu and Tasmetu, Neo-Assyrian 1180-609

The Harper’s Song for Inherkhway, Egyptian 1160

David becomes king over all Israel. 1003

Solomon becomes king. 970

Proverbs 970

Song of Songs 970?

Ecclesiastes 935?