Song of Songs: An Introduction and Study Guide
The Bible's Only Love Poem
Published on 11. August 2022
Book
Hardback
136 pages
978-0-567-69375-4 (ISBN)
Description
The Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon, is an unusual book to find in the Bible. As the Bible's only love poem, the Song offers a unique picture of relations between the sexes in biblical times. Unlike other biblical books, it consists entirely of dialogue. It looks at love from both a woman's and a man's point of view, and shows the reader what love is like exclusively through what lovers say about it.
There are few issues in Song of Songs interpretation that are not open to debate, which makes it a fascinating book to study. In this Guide, Cheryl Exum provides a concise survey of the principal questions encountered in Song of Songs scholarship. She also takes the discussion beyond the traditional research questions to introduce readers to new and ongoing areas in Song of Songs research. Bibliographies and suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter provide additional resources for readers interested in pursuing specific topics and exploring new directions in the study of the Song of Songs.
There are few issues in Song of Songs interpretation that are not open to debate, which makes it a fascinating book to study. In this Guide, Cheryl Exum provides a concise survey of the principal questions encountered in Song of Songs scholarship. She also takes the discussion beyond the traditional research questions to introduce readers to new and ongoing areas in Song of Songs research. Bibliographies and suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter provide additional resources for readers interested in pursuing specific topics and exploring new directions in the study of the Song of Songs.
Reviews / Votes
This is a remarkably comprehensive, in-depth, and readable guide to the Song of Songs by the world's foremost expert, which will be invaluable for students and scholars alike. Exum is particularly good at communicating the poetry of the Song and the way it interweaves the voices of the lovers, while maintaining a sense both of academic distance and of intimacy. The last chapter dazzlingly surveys contemporary discussions and issues, from poetics to race and gender, deconstruction and reception history. The reader will come away with an awareness of the vitality and diversity of the field, and a love of the Song. -- Professor Francis Landy, University of Alberta, Canada A compelling entree into the field, which-along with the helpful thematic bibliographies-will be a boon to students and scholars alike. * ELAINE JAMES, PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, USA *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-567-69375-4 (9780567693754)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
J. Cheryl Exum is Emeritus Professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Sheffield, UK.
Content
Series Preface
Preface
Abbreviations
Chapter 1. Reading the Song of Songs
Chapter 2. Major Questions in Song of Songs Research
Chapter 3. Historical-Cultural Context
Chapter 4. Varieties of Interpretation
Chapter 5. Current Issues in Song of Songs Research
Index
Preface
Abbreviations
Chapter 1. Reading the Song of Songs
Chapter 2. Major Questions in Song of Songs Research
Chapter 3. Historical-Cultural Context
Chapter 4. Varieties of Interpretation
Chapter 5. Current Issues in Song of Songs Research
Index