Song of Songs

Othmar Keel is Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Studies at the University of Freibourg, Germany.

Preface Translator's Preface INTRODUCTION Origins and Allegorizing of the Song of Songs The Cultural Background The Date of Composition Typological and Allegorical Recasting Sitz im Leben, composition, Literary Forms, and Language The Sitz im Leben Does a Comprehensive plan Underlie the Song of Songs? Normal Elements and Categories Excursus: The Source of the Praise of Bodily Features in the Descriptive Songs Formal Elements and Categories: Conclusion Similes, Metaphors, Roles, and Situations The Song of Songs and Yahwism Love as an Elemental Power The Theological Relevance of Love as an Elemental Force COMMENTARY Title Longing for the Greatest Pleasure Different from the Others If You Want to Find Him The Charms of the Beloved The Fragrance of Nard What He Means to Me "Under the linden" "Love's sweet breath, -- a new-born life" Sick with Love Do Not Stir up Love! I "Nothing restrains love" The Time Has Come The Dove in the Clefts of the Rock The Free-Running Admirers "You are mine, I am yours" Yearnings in the Night Tremendum et fascinosum I A Magnificent Palanquin A Day of Gladness of Heart All Beauty and Delight Reside in You (Descriptive Song I) Descend from the Peaks You Drive Me Crazy! The Paradise of Love A Missed Opportunity Distinguished among Ten Thousand (Descriptive Song II) Confidence Tremendum et fascinosum II Like a Goddess Patient/Impatient Checking Shulammite Is Too Good for That! The Prince's Daughter (Descriptive Song III) The Tree of Life Lifting the Curse How Pleasant to Go to the Fields If You Were Only My Brother Do Not Stir Up Love! II Who Has Become So Complaisant? From Generation to Generation Love as the Opponent of Death Futile Pride Solomon's Vineyard and Mine A Secret Understanding Sources of the Illustrations Abbreviations Bibliography Index of Biblical References