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Sorcery in the Song of Solomon
This is a daring and unorthodox re-evaluation of the Song of Solomon which focuses on the symbolic and historical context of the lyrics, verse by verse. While traditional interpretations tend to focus on the suggestion that the Song is symbolic of a sacred marriage between Israel and Yahweh, here, attention is given to the apparent evidence for skulduggery via sorcery and feminine wiles. King Solomon was renowned for having a large harem, including foreigners who raised concerns for the court, as the king was all too keen to bend the rules and turn a blind eye to their worship of idols.
In the Song is a disturbing tale of one such foreign woman, whose ambition for herself and her child puts the King in mortal danger...and the land of Israel in potential jeopardy. A flight of fancy? Consider the documented fate of Ramses III of Egypt, some 200 years before Solomon – a disgruntled and ambitious wife in the Egyptian harem conspired to murder Ramses...using wax figures and magical spells to immobilise his bodyguards! Belief in sorcery was nonetheless potent at the time the Song was written.
Contents
Preface / This Song of Songs / Precursor and Parallel / Black and Beautiful / One Who is Veiled / Potions / Wiles / Troubles by Night / A Crimson Thread / The Sister Bride / Mantle and Idol / The Fall / Captive King / La Mandragola / The Seal / Little Sister / The Caveat / Notes / Bibliography
“A compelling read and a welcome contribution to a debate and controversy that has its roots in the Jerusalem-based Ezra-Nehemiah community of a pre-Christian antiquity.”
--Midwest Book Review
“Tyson weaves a magical and sensual spell...expos[ing] the dark sexuality and sheer sinister underbelly of the Song of Solomon.”
--RebeccasReads
“An awesome academic accomplishment and a fascinating read ...with an easy style that doesn’t send the reader’s head spinning....”
--WynterGreene
“...Should be added to the canon of Biblical Studies. It has a most worthy place for the ongoing discussion of reform and devotion for any Judeo-Christian believer.”
--Crystal Reviews
“Tyson rips the lid off biblical interpretations and explores and unconventional interpretation of the Song. ...A well written argument.”
--Nexus
In the Song is a disturbing tale of one such foreign woman, whose ambition for herself and her child puts the King in mortal danger...and the land of Israel in potential jeopardy. A flight of fancy? Consider the documented fate of Ramses III of Egypt, some 200 years before Solomon – a disgruntled and ambitious wife in the Egyptian harem conspired to murder Ramses...using wax figures and magical spells to immobilise his bodyguards! Belief in sorcery was nonetheless potent at the time the Song was written.
Contents
Preface / This Song of Songs / Precursor and Parallel / Black and Beautiful / One Who is Veiled / Potions / Wiles / Troubles by Night / A Crimson Thread / The Sister Bride / Mantle and Idol / The Fall / Captive King / La Mandragola / The Seal / Little Sister / The Caveat / Notes / Bibliography
“A compelling read and a welcome contribution to a debate and controversy that has its roots in the Jerusalem-based Ezra-Nehemiah community of a pre-Christian antiquity.”
--Midwest Book Review
“Tyson weaves a magical and sensual spell...expos[ing] the dark sexuality and sheer sinister underbelly of the Song of Solomon.”
--RebeccasReads
“An awesome academic accomplishment and a fascinating read ...with an easy style that doesn’t send the reader’s head spinning....”
--WynterGreene
“...Should be added to the canon of Biblical Studies. It has a most worthy place for the ongoing discussion of reform and devotion for any Judeo-Christian believer.”
--Crystal Reviews
“Tyson rips the lid off biblical interpretations and explores and unconventional interpretation of the Song. ...A well written argument.”
--Nexus
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2013
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