Song of Solomon

Poetry · Old Testament · Traditionally King Solomon · Circa 5th to 3rd century BCE

The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, is a collection of lyric poetry celebrating romantic love, desire, and physical intimacy between a bride and her beloved. While historically interpreted allegorically in Jewish and Christian traditions as depicting the relationship between God and His people, contemporary scholars widely view it as a celebration of human love. The text employs vivid pastoral and agricultural imagery to convey the beauty and intensity of romantic devotion.

8 chapters

• 1Song of Solomon 1The woman expresses her intense desire for her lover, describes her rustic beauty, and trades expressions of adoration with him.
• 2Song of Solomon 2The lovers exchange mutual praises of beauty, celebrate the arrival of spring, and yearn for each other's intimate presence.
• 3Song of Solomon 3The woman searches the city for her lover, followed by a description of King Solomon's grand royal wedding procession.
• 4Song of Solomon 4The man lavishly praises his bride's physical beauty, comparing her to a locked garden filled with exotic, fragrant spices.
• 5Song of Solomon 5After a missed nighttime encounter, the woman searches for her lover and praises his exceptional physical appearance to her companions.
• 6Song of Solomon 6The man praises his beloved's extraordinary beauty, comparing her to majestic cities and distinguishing her above all other queens and concubines.
• 7Song of Solomon 7The lover praises his beloved's body, and she invites him into the fields and vineyards to express their mutual desire.
• 8Song of Solomon 8The lovers celebrate the unquenchable power of love, recall her family's guardianship, and eagerly call for one another on the mountains.