Literary Meaning of Song 2:8-17 Verse 8. The passage begins with an interjection hinnē (Look!), an excited call by the young woman to the daughters of Jerusalem (as well as to her audience and readers) to focus on the present moment about the man whom she loves (and probably about to marry for the young man in this passage has not yet called her bride as he does in 4:8.9.10.11.12; 5:1. She invites the audience/readers to partner with her—to watch and listen with her as she awaits her beloved coming (perhaps either to visit her). The young woman then presents a notable and graphic picture of her beloved through the use of series of participles as verbs in verses 8-9: mĕdallēg (leaping), mĕqappēṣ (skipping), ʿômēd (standing), mašgîḥa (gazing),
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The exposition reflected that the passage was meant to transmit the core values and beliefs of ancient biblical Israelite community towards God, humanity, and creation given that the Song has been preserved, reshaped, and refined over period of centuries through both oral and written tradition. Moreover, this passage not only celebrates sexual love but also life itself as it is lived by ancient Israelite culture that values and cares for humans, animals and nature as part of the community’s faith life. The passage is a product of the ancient Israelite community’s theological reflection and conviction that humans should value and honor all that which God has created. The passage’s theology on God, humanity, and creation is not informed and formed by a human domination mindset, but rather within a framework in which humans care and appreciate the world God has created and that God designed humans to live within community of …show more content…
The father is honored before the community if she keeps herself pure before marriage as a demonstration of her love to her father. If she is not able to keep herself pure the shame is not only on her, but the greater shame lies on her father who has failed the community to raise her up properly. To the moderns this may be a far-fetched core conception since most moderns no longer value virginity until marriage. Nevertheless, this core value is timeless for those who believe in giving honor to one’s heavenly father whose pleasure one seek to please. A closure look at the passage reveals a deeper layer why purity before marriage is valued. The passage expresses high valuation of all of God’s creation, including animals and nature. Exercising dignity, respect, and value for oneself is vital. The community (especially its elders) recognizes the pain and challenges of sexual love especially for women within marriages (the waiting while the loved one is absent), how awful it is if one has to endure it outside of marriage. Thus, the community values the practice of restraint. Such joys and rewards for those who
The exposition reflected that the passage was meant to transmit the core values and beliefs of ancient biblical Israelite community towards God, humanity, and creation given that the Song has been preserved, reshaped, and refined over period of centuries through both oral and written tradition. Moreover, this passage not only celebrates sexual love but also life itself as it is lived by ancient Israelite culture that values and cares for humans, animals and nature as part of the community’s faith life. The passage is a product of the ancient Israelite community’s theological reflection and conviction that humans should value and honor all that which God has created. The passage’s theology on God, humanity, and creation is not informed and formed by a human domination mindset, but rather within a framework in which humans care and appreciate the world God has created and that God designed humans to live within community of …show more content…
The father is honored before the community if she keeps herself pure before marriage as a demonstration of her love to her father. If she is not able to keep herself pure the shame is not only on her, but the greater shame lies on her father who has failed the community to raise her up properly. To the moderns this may be a far-fetched core conception since most moderns no longer value virginity until marriage. Nevertheless, this core value is timeless for those who believe in giving honor to one’s heavenly father whose pleasure one seek to please. A closure look at the passage reveals a deeper layer why purity before marriage is valued. The passage expresses high valuation of all of God’s creation, including animals and nature. Exercising dignity, respect, and value for oneself is vital. The community (especially its elders) recognizes the pain and challenges of sexual love especially for women within marriages (the waiting while the loved one is absent), how awful it is if one has to endure it outside of marriage. Thus, the community values the practice of restraint. Such joys and rewards for those who