Richard S. Hess, Song of Songs

Bibliographical details:
Hess, R. S. (2005). Song of Songs. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

Publisher’s information:
Song of Songs is the first volume in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms series. The series is tailored to the distinctives of poetry and wisdom literature, featuring emphasis on the message of the biblical book; special attention to poetic structure and literary devices; incisive comments based on the author’s translation of the Hebrew text; exegetical rigor that incorporates linguistic, historical, and canonical insights; closing reflections on each section that explore the text’s theological dimensions; and textual notes that provide resources for advanced readers.

‘Finally, here is an up-to-date commentary on the Song of Songs that is easy to use. With superb clarity and concision, Hess’s commentary makes a world of scholarship about the Song of Songs available to a broad audience. Readers will enjoy Hess’s close attention to the lyrical beauty of the Song of Songs and his discussions of the book’s theological insights.’ – Mark S. Smith, Skirball Professor of Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, New York University

‘I read this book from cover to cover, both enjoying and learning from it. This is not just another commentary on the Song of Songs. While it interacts with other commentaries, it makes a unique contribution by reason of the technical skills and theological perspective of the author. A master of comparative Semitics, Hess is also well versed in historical and literary criticism, as well as in the geography and archaeology of ancient Israel – all of which are evident in the commentary but never overwhelm it. Instead of having recourse to symbolic interpretation, he treats with great sensitivity the sexually explicit nature of this sensuous love poem that ultimately affirms the Bible’s teaching that God is love. Finally, Hess skillfully demonstrates how Song of Songs has an important role to play in the canon of Scripture. Hess’s excellent book is intended for both professional scholars and lay adults.’ – Philip J. King, professor emeritus, Boston College

‘To comment on the book described by Jewish rabbis as “the holy of holies” is risky: it is too easy to reduce its sublime poetry to banal prose. But Hess’s daring has paid off. Here is a commentary on the Song of Songs that is sensitive, wise, and beautiful. Hess’s thorough scholarship is worn lightly and is used to illuminate the text helpfully. Students, pastors, and scholars will find this commentary a rich resource.’ – Gordon Wenham, professor of Old Testament, University of Gloucestershire

‘Hess helps readers to enjoy the beauty of the Song of Songs as love poetry and enables them to move from this celebration of physical human love to a deeper understanding and greater enjoyment of God’s love for all humanity. Hess does this with careful attention to the text and full awareness of the Song’s ancient Near Eastern background. His exegetical decisions judiciously take into account traditional interpretations and recent scholarship. The analysis of the Song’s rich poetic imagery of physical human love is imaginative and informed.’ – Knut Heim, tutor in biblical studies, The Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Studies, Birmingham, UK

‘This well-researched commentary ably expounds the text as an expression of committed human love, while remaining alert to the theological implications of this focus.’ – Leslie C. Allen, senior professor of Old Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary

‘Hess combines his widely recognized expertise in language and backgrounds with the perceptive literary eye of an exegete to produce a masterful commentary. He provides a canonically sensitive interpretation of this oft-misunderstood wisdom book.’ – John H. Walton, professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College and Graduate School

‘Not much of the Song of Songs shows up in church liturgy. It seems x-rated and so user unfriendly that we want to keep it in a plain brown wrapper, but Richard Hess is not afraid of this song. He has put it squarely in the center of the Bible, where it has always been, and said “Fear not! There is music in this piece.
Tear away the brown wrapping. Then sit quiet and the ancient music will begin.” Thank you, Richard. We can hear it – exotic and mystical, romantic and intimate, scriptural and sexual – a song for the ages.’ – Calvin Miller, professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School

Richard S. Hess (Ph.D., Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary. He is the editor or author of a number of works, including the commentary on Joshua in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Family in the Bible, and Israel’s Messiah in the Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Table of contents:
Series Preface … 7
Author’s Preface … 11
Abbreviations … 13

Introduction … 17
I. Title (1:1) … 37
II. Prologue: First Coming Together and Intimacy (1:2–2:7) … 40
III. Lovers Joined and Separated (2:8–3:5) … 84
IV. Love and Marriage at the Heart of the Song (3:6–5:1) … 109
V. Search and Reunion (5:2–6:3) … 160
VI. Desire for the Female and Love in the Country (6:4–8:4) … 193
VII. Epilogue: The Power of Love (8:5-14) … 233

Bibliography … 253
Subject Index … 271
Author Index … 273
Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings … 277

You may also be interested to read the review by Athalya Brenner, published in the Review of Biblical Literature.

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