"Song of Songs" by Dianne Bergant

"Song of Songs" by Dianne Bergant

Among al of the books of the First Testament, the Song of Songs is one of the most intriguing. On the one hand, its unabashed sensuality has captured the imagination and has endeared it to those who appreciate passionate human love. On the other hand, more demure readers have frequently been chagrined by their own fascination with its erotic character and have cloaked their interest under the guise of metaphorical reading. Both interpretations of the Song of Songs have been endorsed. Down through the ages, both Jewish and Christian interpreters have delighted in the exquisite imagery of the book's songs, but they have also frequently reverted to allegory in their interpretations.

This commentary views the Song as a collection of love poems and carefully examines features of Hebrew poetry in order to uncover the delicacy of their expression. It is unique not only in the attention that it gives to the obvious feminine perspective of the poems but in their ecosensitive character. Although it is a tribute to mutual love, the principal frame of reference is the amorous disposition of the woman. Her words open and close the Song and her voice is dominant throughout.

The imagery that the lovers use is drawn from nature. Whether it is the woman in awe of the strength and splendor of her lover or the man glorifying her physical charms, the descriptions al call on elements from the natural world to characterize the feature being described. Whatever they experience or know or even desire is somehow rooted in the natural world.

Chapters are Superscription, Mutual Yearning (1:2-2:7), An Opportunity Lost, Then Found (2:8-3:5), Ravished By Beauty (3:6-5:1), One of a Kind (5:2-6:3), The Admiration of all over (6:4-8:4), and Love Affirmed (8:5-8:14).

Dianne Bergant, CSA, is professor of Old Testament studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She is author of thePreaching the New Lectionary series and general editor of The Collegeville Bible Commentary (Old Testament) published by The Liturgical Press. She was also editor of The Bible Today from 1986-1990.

Dianne Bergant, CSA, is Professor of Biblical Studies and Director of the Joint Doctor of Ministry Program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She earned her Ph.D. from St. Louis University; is President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America; serves on several editorial boards, including The Bible Today, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, and New Theology Review; and has written several books and articles on the Bible.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781565481008
ISBN 10	1565481003
Title	"Song of Songs"
Author	Dianne Bergant
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	New City Press
Year published	2002-10-01
Number of pages	167
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.