Reading for January 31st

 Read Song of Songs 6.1-10. In verses 1-3: The lover's whereabouts. A short fragment of a song, in which the woman reiterates earlier themes. In verses 4-10: The man praises the woman's body. While this poem shares many of the agricultural comparisons of 4.1-3 (hair like goats, teeth like ewes), it also introduces regal imagery. The woman is seen as awe-inspiring. she is compared to important cities (Tirzah was the capital of the northern kingdom after the division; Jerusalem of the south), and she would invite the praise even of queens and concubines. Comments or Questions..

Reading for January 30th

 Read Song of Songs 5.9-16. In 5.9-16: The woman praises her lover. This  description offers the Hebrew Bible's only description of a man's body by a woman. In verse 10: A ruddy complexion was considered attractive for men (1 Sam 16.12; Gen 2.7). In verses 11-15: The description, given from head to legs, compares a man to conventional ancient Near eastern statues: head and arms of gold, encrusted with jewels. The mention of his body (v. 14) sounds general in a list of specific body parts: Some interpreters suggest "loins" for this reference. Comments or Questions..

Reading for January 29th

 ReadSongs 5.2-8. In 5.2-8: A second nighttime search. As in 3.1-4, she may either be on an actual search or dreaming. In verse 3: Although she has prepared herself for his visit, she is reluctant to go to the door. In verse 4: While likely referring to the window, opening also has a sexual connotation. In verse 5: Because myrrh is expensive, dripping suggests excess and luxury. In verse 7: The sentinels guarding the city at night represent the conventions of society, which frown on a young , unaccompanied woman roaming the streets. She does not elaborate on their beating and stripping her, citing this treatment as an example of the lengths to which she will go to find her lover. In verse 8: It is doubtful that the daughters of Jerusalem were present during her search. Here, as elsewhere, the chorus adds dramatic effect. Comments or Questions..

Reading for January 28th

 Read Song of Songs 4.8-5.1. In 4.8-5.1: The man beckons her closer. While not all identifiable, the place names are far away and exotic; he imagines her removed from him. In 4.9: As in ancient Egyptian poetry, sister and bride need not be read literally but as a description of the close intimacy of the pair. In verses 12-13: Garden locked and fountain sealed refer to the woman's chastity (Prov 5.15), though the man has much knowledge of her channel, a more intimate part of her body. The Hebrew word means "sword" or perhaps "sprout." He compares it to exoctic, fragrant, desirable anointments and spices. In verse 16: The woman accepts the comparison and invites him to partake. In 5.1: The man accepts the invitation and delights in what has been offered him. Comments or Questions..

Reading for January 27th

 Read Song of Songs 4.1-7. In 4.1-7: The man praises the beauty of his lover. In verse 1: Veil: See comment on 1.7. Goats in Israel are primarily black, while sheep are white. In verse 2: Her teeth are perfect: white, proportional. In verse 3: Crimson thread describes the color of her lips or the part between them. Pomegranates, elsewhere connected with sexuality, have a juicy red pulp. In verse 4: Built in courses: Ancient Near Eastern art shows women wearing multiple layers of metal necklaces. In verse 5: Fawns, twins: Perfectly matched and soft. In verse 6: Sunset (see 2.17). Mountain of myrrh and hill of frankincense refers to parts of the woman's body. Comments or Questions.

Reading for January 26th

 Read Song of Songs 3.6-11. In 3.6-11: A wedding scene. The book's only description of a wedding and of Solomon as present, these have been variously assessed (1) as a later insertion, modeled after Ps 45 and intended to to strengthen the book's connection to Solomon; or (2) as an extended royal image in which the woman compares the sight of her lover to that of the extravagant entourage of a king know for his love of women (1 Kings 11.1-3). In verse 7: Mighty men of Israel, translated elsewhere in the NRSV as "warrior" (2 Sam 23.8). In verse 8: Sword at his thigh: For easy access (Jug 3.16). In verse 9: Wood of Lebanon: Famous for its aroma and quality (2 Kings 19.23; 1 Kings 4.33). In verse 11: Jewish sources indicate that, prior to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, bride and groom wore a wedding crown. Comments or Questions..

Reading for January 25th

 Read Song of Songs 3.1-5. In 3.1-5: Her nighttime search. Having been sent away, the man does not return, and the woman seeks  him. In verses 2-3: Streets and sentinels indicate an urban setting. In verse 4: The book has a strong feminine orientation, speaking of the mother's house instead of the more normal house of the father (1.6; 8.1-2; see also Ruth 1.8). Did she really bring her lover into her mother's house or is this a dream? In verse 5: Another warning (2.7; 5.8). Comments or Questions..