The Song of Solomon: An Introduction & Commentary

Tyndale Old Testament Commentary #19

by G. Lloyd Carr, Donald J. Wiseman

The Song of Solomon, as its Hebrew title indicates, is "the best of songs." This Old Testament book has fascinated and perplexed interpreters for centuries. Lloyd Carr, in this introduction to the Song of Solomon, explains the meaning of this ancient love story in a way that can be clearly grasped and appreciated.

Genres: Reference, Biblical Studies, Theology, Christian

175 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good.

[Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very solid commentary. Song of Solomon (or, Song of Songs, as I prefer) is the one book of the Bible that likely has more interpretative approaches than the book of Revelation. In his lengthy introduction, Carr gives the best explanation for why the correct, theological, Biblical way to read and interpret the Song of Songs is to take it at face value: To understand that this is a book about a man and a woman in love; this is a book that discusses their relationship, which includes their emotions as well as their physical sexuality. When the church is afraid to talk about sex, or puts the topic of sex in the corner of the room along with other things we “should not discuss” then the church does great disservice to it’s people. God invented sex. It was His idea. Obviously, like any inventor, He knows how sex can best take place (as well as the incorrect, hurtful, harmful, and idolatrous ways to express sexuality). Carr points out that since sexuality is so core and fundamental to being a human it makes perfect sense that at least one book of the Bible would be devoted to the topic of sex. The Introduction alone is worth the price of admission. The main body of the commentary is spent defining words and phrases throughout the Song of Songs. I found the commentary on each of these words and phrases to be helpful, but the main strength of this book lies in its Introduction.

[Chad Delhotal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful. I have found several of this series to be helpful to serious Bible study. The Song of Solomon seems to me one of the most difficult to interpret and I've found this book very helpful, honest, and informative. Of course it is not firmly King James, but if you can wade through that, I think his general approach is very good.

[Cap]

Because the commentary itself is incredibly detailed, I didn't feel the need to read every word. This will prove a useful resource for the future. That being said, the introductory chapters were phenomenal. They helped provide clarity regarding a book of the Bible that has experienced a wide variety of interpretations. Even if I never read this book's comments on every verse, the material in the first half is something I will definitely reread.

[Jonathan Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good little commentary on the Song. It is not overly technical but it introduces the reader to the issues while engaging with the text at a sufficient though not overwhelming level. In terms of depth it would lie somewhere between Gledhill and Pope.

[John Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good but rather too erotic.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is important to remember the setting in which this song was composed. Most people were in monogamous heterosexual marriages at a fairly early age. Deviation from this standard was to be punished by stoning. Christ backs up this law, because he backs up all of it. He is the fulfillment of the law. This emphasis on fidelity is not the case in our culture. Any application of this song to our culture must bear in mind that the Jewish culture placed death as preferable to infidelity.