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..

Reading for January 24th

 Read Song of Songs 2.8-17. In 2.8-17: She reports his invitation. The man beckons to the woman to join him in the countryside, where springtime has awakened nature and desire. In verse 14: Their love is expressive, yet secreetive. He invites her to private places: clefts and the covert. In verse 15; A difficult verse to translate. Some consider it a reference to an ancient riddle,meaning of which has been lost. If vineyards symbolize the woman's sexuality (as elsewhere) then the the foxes are dangers to their lovemaking. In verse 16: Pastures the flock may either be literal (he is a shepherd) or metaphorical of their love, since she is called a lilly (2.1). In verse 17: Until the day breathes ... shadows flee: Although some interpret the reference as to dawn, it likely refers to sunset. the woman tells the man to depart until later in the evening. Comments or Questions..

Reading for January 23rd

 Read Song of Songs 1.9-2.7. In 1.9-2.7: The man and woman speak of love. In 1.9-11: He uses a wide array of images to describe the woman. Mare: Egyptian sources report the military strategy of sending a mare out to excite and disturb the enemy's stallions. In verses 12-17: The woman likens her own bodily smells and the delight of her lover between her breasts to nard, myrrh and henna: aromatic, precious scents. En-gedi: A lush oasis close to the Dead Sea. In verse 15: The male speaks. In verses 16-17: The woman's speech portrays their trysting place as outdoor. In 2.1-2: The woman sees herself as one of many common flowers; but her lover sees her as outstanding in beauty. In verses 3-5: Fruit is used as erotic imagery. She compares their trysting place to a banqueting house or "winehouse," where they are to take their fill of delicacies. In verse 7; This statement, issued as a lesson for others, either suggests the danger of love or requests that the lover's intimacy not be interrupted. Daughters of Jerusalem refers to the young women of the city. In the book, their participation advances the dialogue. Comments or Questions..

Reading for January 22nd

 Read Song of Solomon 1.1-8. In verse 1: Superscription. Like many Psalms, the book begins with background information. Song of Songs: Hebrew for "best song." Which is Solomon's is more likely the editor's attempt to link the book with Solomon rather than proof of its authorship. In verses 2-8: The woman speaks of love. Ancient Near Eastern cultures used many sweet, strong scents on the body as well as in religious ceremonies. Throughout the book,such aromas are compared to the scent of the lover's bodies.. In verse 4: The king: The lovers call each other royal names, indicating their majesty in one another's eyes. In verses 5-6: Black and beauthiful:The woman maintains that her sun-darkened skin is beautiful. The verse imply an expectation that women have fair skin, perhaps reflecting an urban perspective. Kedar: a mountain range of which means "black." Mother's sons: Mothers rather than fathers are mentioned in the book, suggesting a strong female perspective. Vineyards throught thebook are connected with sexulality. The first mention is literal: Her brothers required her to work outside. The second reference is metaphorical: She has not been chaste. In verse 7: Veiled: Veiling practices in ancient Israel are difficult to reconstruct. In Gen 38, a prostitute wears a veil, and Gen 29.21-25 may imply that brides wore face coverings. The reference here may be metaphorical: Why should she have difficulty seeing him? In verse 8: Another voice, the male or chorus, tells her to follow the sheep to find her lover. Comments or Questions..