I do not think Song of Songs was written by Solomon

Dizerner

Active Member
Okay , hear me out. I have several reasons for thinking this.

1. The title has ambiguity in the Hebrew and can be "dedicated to Solomon" or "about Solomon."
2. The book constantly speaks of Solomon in the third person and he is not the center character.
3. The book speaks disparagingly of Solomon's polygamy and we have no record of Solomon displaying that humility.
4. The book exalts a monogamous relationship and contrasts its against Solomon's immorality.
5. The book is not written in the style or vocabulary of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Solomon's Psalm.
6. The book uses later vocabulary not from Solomon's time period with a Greek and Persian loanword.

So why do I think this matters?

I think it matters because Solomon was actually a very bad example of human romantic love and should not honored or followed.
 
The literal meaning of לשלמה is that “of Solomon”, meaning belonging to Solomon.

Doug

Pastor, I really want to be respectful, but you must know by now this simply isn't true.

By grossly oversimplifying the issue you are actually misleading people.

Please consider this commentary from the NET Bible:

The preposition ל in ) אֲשֶׁר לִשְׁלֹמֹה'asher lishlomoh( has been taken as: (1) authorship: "which is written by Solomon." The lamed of authorship (also known as lamed auctoris) is well attested in Hebrew (see GKC 421 §130.b), particularly in the psalms (e.g., Pss 18:1; 30:1; 34:1; 51:1; 52:1; 54:1; 56:1; 57:1; 59:1; 60:1; 63:1; 72:21); (2) dedication: "which is dedicated for Solomon." The lamed of dedication is attested in Ugaritic psalms dedicated to Baal or about Baal (CTA 6.1.1 = UT 49.1); or (3) topic: "which is about/concerning Solomon." The lamed of topic is attested in Hebrew (e.g., 1 Chr 24:20) and in Ugaritic, e.g., lb`l "About Baal" (CTA 6.1.1 = UT 49.1).​
Also אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִשְׁלֹמֹֽה is an unusual construction here, the asher is usually left out. This is significant.
 
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Pastor, I really want to be respectful, but you must know by now this simply isn't true.

By grossly oversimplifying the issue you are actually misleading people.

Please consider this commentary from the NET Bible:

The preposition ל in ) אֲשֶׁר לִשְׁלֹמֹה'asher lishlomoh( has been taken as: (1) authorship: "which is written by Solomon." The lamed of authorship (also known as lamed auctoris) is well attested in Hebrew (see GKC 421 §130.b), particularly in the psalms (e.g., Pss 18:1; 30:1; 34:1; 51:1; 52:1; 54:1; 56:1; 57:1; 59:1; 60:1; 63:1; 72:21); (2) dedication: "which is dedicated for Solomon." The lamed of dedication is attested in Ugaritic psalms dedicated to Baal or about Baal (CTA 6.1.1 = UT 49.1); or (3) topic: "which is about/concerning Solomon." The lamed of topic is attested in Hebrew (e.g., 1 Chr 24:20) and in Ugaritic, e.g., lb`l "About Baal" (CTA 6.1.1 = UT 49.1).​
Also אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִשְׁלֹמֹֽה is an unusual construction here, the asher is usually left out. This is significant.
1) https://biblehub.com/interlinear/songs/1-1.htm

2) I’ve only seen one example of an alternate translation, Smith's Literal Translation: The Song of Songs that is to Solomon.
3) I am not a Hebrew scholar at all, but the overwhelming majority of those who are that I’ve read seem to disagree with you.

4) I think “misleading people” is a bit strong.

5) And yet the NET renders Sol 1:1
Solomon's Most Excellent Love Song.


Doug
 
Okay , hear me out. I have several reasons for thinking this.

1. The title has ambiguity in the Hebrew and can be "dedicated to Solomon" or "about Solomon."
2. The book constantly speaks of Solomon in the third person and he is not the center character.
3. The book speaks disparagingly of Solomon's polygamy and we have no record of Solomon displaying that humility.
4. The book exalts a monogamous relationship and contrasts its against Solomon's immorality.
5. The book is not written in the style or vocabulary of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Solomon's Psalm.
6. The book uses later vocabulary not from Solomon's time period with a Greek and Persian loanword.

So why do I think this matters?

I think it matters because Solomon was actually a very bad example of human romantic love and should not honored or followed.

Hello,

The Song of Songs is about the love between a Shepherd and a shepherdess and concerning a man king(Solomon) who tries to woo the shepherdess but doesn't succeed. The love between the Shepherd and shepherdess is too strong.

The style of writing of the whole book of Song of Songs is exactly the same as the whole of Proverbs, this is seen when comparing the subject structure outlines with each other as follows which can be seen in the Companion Bible by E.W. Bullinger.

Proverbs structure.png


Song of Songs structure.png


There really is only one Author of the biblical texts which wrote through the hands of many Hebrew people from many different walks of life over many hundreds of years.

Blessings,
Love Fountain


PS - Ecclesiastes is very similar in writing style as Song of Songs and Proverbs as well when comparing the whole book subject structure outline.

Ecclesiastes structure.png
 
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Companion Bible by E.W. Bullinger

I don't at all see the logical relation from a literary chiasmus and authorship.

There's just no relation there.

Also Bullinger, although he did a lot of legitimately good work, was just determined to see a chiasmus everywhere no matter what.
 
I don't at all see the logical relation from a literary chiasmus and authorship.

There's just no relation there.

Also Bullinger, although he did a lot of legitimately good work, was just determined to see a chiasmus everywhere no matter what.

Hello,

Someone looking at the biblical text from a western writing understanding won't see or understand the Hebrew Thought Patterns and Hebrew Thought writing styles that exist throughout all the biblical texts from Genesis to Revelation.

It's not just chiasmus, it's following Subject, Object and article as the subject alternates or introverts according to Hebrew Thought writing style.

Here's a good explanation on Hebrew Thought Patterns and Hebrew Thought writing styles as follows:

Hebrew Thought Patterns link

"Receiving greater understanding from “the virtue of the word” by being aware of common Hebrew literary styles found in the scriptures. "

"There are seven characteristics:
  1. Clear Statements of Truth from the Lord - often given in the context of the prophet’s personal experience, with the expectation that the truth will be learned and applied.
  2. The Broader Context - the verses before and after, as well as the circumstances.
  3. Contrasts describing good and evil or obedient and rebellious.
  4. Repetition of ideas are used to help define, clarify, emphasize and expand understanding. This repetition is called “parallelisms.”
  5. Lists are common in individual verses as well as whole chapters like the Ten Commandments.
  6. Cause-and-Effect Statements are used to stress the importance of responsibility to obey. They show the positive and the negative consequences of choice. Example: “if ye keep the commandments, ye shall prosper in the land.”
  7. Words with significant symbolism, literal and figurative meanings as well as for their poetic beauty. Example: “Feast upon the words of Christ.”

Benefits of using and applying the Hebrew Thought Patterns
  1. Recognize the Savior’s loving kindness in teaching us truth and warning us of Satan’s destructive influences.
  2. Retain passages in a broader context
  3. Receive Clearer ideas and cross-references between passages
  4. Remember Meaningful imagery, words and symbols
  5. Increased ability to liken or apply the scripture to your own life
  6. “Mental hooks” to “hang” doctrinal insights and ideas onto to help you remember more
  7. Memorize Scripture passages with ease



Every single page of the Bible has Hebrew Thought writing styles from Genesis to Revelation, every book as a whole, every chapter and every page is Hebrew Thought writing style and Hebrew Thought Patterns!

Blessings,
Love Fountain
 
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Okay , hear me out. I have several reasons for thinking this.

1. The title has ambiguity in the Hebrew and can be "dedicated to Solomon" or "about Solomon."
2. The book constantly speaks of Solomon in the third person and he is not the center character.
3. The book speaks disparagingly of Solomon's polygamy and we have no record of Solomon displaying that humility.
4. The book exalts a monogamous relationship and contrasts its against Solomon's immorality.
5. The book is not written in the style or vocabulary of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Solomon's Psalm.
6. The book uses later vocabulary not from Solomon's time period with a Greek and Persian loanword.

So why do I think this matters?

I think it matters because Solomon was actually a very bad example of human romantic love and should not honored or followed.
Although authorship is generally attributed to Shlomo (Solomon), it is possible that the king's Shulamite bride may
have written and dedicated it to him. Since she is the speaker of nearly two-thirds of the dialogue, she is clearly the
dominate figure in the song. This fact alone undoubtedly proves that biblical women did not view themselves as
mere receptacles for male passion and were, instead, active participants in---and even initiators of---marital love making.
Shalom
 
Okay , hear me out. I have several reasons for thinking this.

1. The title has ambiguity in the Hebrew and can be "dedicated to Solomon" or "about Solomon."
2. The book constantly speaks of Solomon in the third person and he is not the center character.
3. The book speaks disparagingly of Solomon's polygamy and we have no record of Solomon displaying that humility.
4. The book exalts a monogamous relationship and contrasts its against Solomon's immorality.
5. The book is not written in the style or vocabulary of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Solomon's Psalm.
6. The book uses later vocabulary not from Solomon's time period with a Greek and Persian loanword.

So why do I think this matters?

I think it matters because Solomon was actually a very bad example of human romantic love and should not honored or followed.
Wow tell us how you really feel?

At first glance, Megillat Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs) is a poignant love song between the dod, 'lover,' and his
re'aya, 'beloved,' relating a lengthy dialogue between the couple. However, if it was only a simple love song, it
would not be part of the Tanakh. The canonization of the book indicates that it contains a much deeper meaning;
it expresses a dialogue between Hashem and His people that spans history.

The Mishna records a debate among the Sages regarding whether or not Megillat Shir Hashirim should be included
in the corpus of Tanakh. Rabbi Akiva declares that is not only worthy of being part of the canon; it is actually
holier than any of the other books in the Bible. In his words, "All the writings are holy, but Shir Hashirim is the
holy of holies." What makes Megillat Shir Hashirim so special is precisely the fact that it speaks of the relationship
and love between the Children of Israel and the Creator.

The book ends with a plea from the female: "Hurry, my beloved, swift as a gazelle or a young stag, to the hill of
spices!" Though by conclusion of Megillat Shir Hashirim the lovers have not yet managed to fulfill their desire
to reunite, they continue to yearn for the fulfillment of this dream. Understood on a deeper level, this expresses
the cry of the Jewish people asking Hashem speedily redeem them from their lengthy exile, and bring them back
to Eretz Yisrael and Yerushalayim.

Shalom Rav
 
Wow tell us how you really feel?

These are all logical arguments, not emotional ones.

You don't actually care how I feel anyway, lol.

Understood on a deeper level, this expresses
the cry of the Jewish people asking Hashem speedily redeem them from their lengthy exile, and bring them back
to Eretz Yisrael and Yerushalayim.

Even a blind squirrel can find a nut sometimes.

The Rabbis knew it was a parable of God and Israel, and for that I give them props.
 
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These are all logical arguments, not emotional ones.

You don't actually care how I feel anyway, lol.



Even a blind squirrel can find a nut sometimes.

The Rabbis knew it was a parable of God and Israel, and for that I give them prop
These are all logical arguments, not emotional ones.

You don't actually care how I feel anyway, lol.



Even a blind squirrel can find a nut sometimes.

The Rabbis knew it was a parable of God and Israel, and for that I give them props.
I

These are all logical arguments, not emotional ones.

You don't actually care how I feel anyway, lol.



Even a blind squirrel can find a nut sometimes.

The Rabbis knew it was a parable of God and Israel, and for that I give them props.
I disagree with some of your so called logical arguments. You have a very shallow understanding of this book.
Shalom
 
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