Historically, an allegorical approach to the Song of Solomon dominated Jewish and Christian interpretations of the book (Osborne 232). An allegory is a literary device that conveys an abstract message in pictures (Elwell 1: 55). Hill simplifies the definition by saying, “allegory says one thing but conveys a deeper or hidden meaning” (472). Why would such an approach be taken? For early Christians, viewing the book literally would be contrary to the asceticism that they encouraged, where total abstinence from intercourse was deemed virtuous (Longman 294).
Three predominant allegorical approaches emerged due to this slant. First, many viewed the book from an ecclesiological perspective, meaning they saw the Song as a description of Christ’s …show more content…
First, the book nowhere describes itself as an allegory (Dillard 294). It seems that if Solomon intended for his song to be read as an allegory, he would have mentioned it. Furthermore, the Bible clearly marks when an allegorical interpretation is intended (Gal. 4:23-26; Judg. 9:7-15; Garrett 355). Second, the obvious sexual language used by the Song cannot be explained away by allegory (Garrett 357). Moreover, this type of language would be difficult to fit into the three traditional allegorical interpretations of the book (357). Based on these facts, it is difficult to accept the allegorical approach as …show more content…
Typology refers to a method of interpretation that sees things in the Old Testament as a figure of things in the New (Elwell 2: 2109). The initial object is the “type,” while the fulfillment is the “antetype” (2: 2109). In the context of the Song, the typological approach accepts the historical backdrop of the book, but still sees the ultimate fulfillment in God’s relationship with Israel or in the New Testament (Hill 472). Regardless, the typological interpretation commits the same fallacy as the allegorical: subjectivism (Estes 398). So, like the allegorical approach, the typological can be rejected on the same
Three predominant allegorical approaches emerged due to this slant. First, many viewed the book from an ecclesiological perspective, meaning they saw the Song as a description of Christ’s …show more content…
First, the book nowhere describes itself as an allegory (Dillard 294). It seems that if Solomon intended for his song to be read as an allegory, he would have mentioned it. Furthermore, the Bible clearly marks when an allegorical interpretation is intended (Gal. 4:23-26; Judg. 9:7-15; Garrett 355). Second, the obvious sexual language used by the Song cannot be explained away by allegory (Garrett 357). Moreover, this type of language would be difficult to fit into the three traditional allegorical interpretations of the book (357). Based on these facts, it is difficult to accept the allegorical approach as …show more content…
Typology refers to a method of interpretation that sees things in the Old Testament as a figure of things in the New (Elwell 2: 2109). The initial object is the “type,” while the fulfillment is the “antetype” (2: 2109). In the context of the Song, the typological approach accepts the historical backdrop of the book, but still sees the ultimate fulfillment in God’s relationship with Israel or in the New Testament (Hill 472). Regardless, the typological interpretation commits the same fallacy as the allegorical: subjectivism (Estes 398). So, like the allegorical approach, the typological can be rejected on the same