Difference between revisions of "Song of Solomon"

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(New page: This book called the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament is sometimes referred to as the Canticles in Latin or the Song of Songs in Hebrew. Whether Solomon is actually the author is d...)
 
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This book called the Song of Solomon in the [[Old Testament]] is sometimes referred to as the Canticles in Latin or the Song of Songs in Hebrew. Whether Solomon is actually the author is doubtful. The [[Joseph Smith]] Translation contains the note that "the Song of Solomon is not inspired scripture" due to its romantic content. Both Jews and Christians have at times been reluctant to accept it into the canon of [[scripture]] because of this.  
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[[image: Judgment-of-Solomon.jpg|225px|right|alt=Judgement of Solomon Mormon|Judgement of Solomon Mormon]]This book called the [[Song of Solomon]] in the [[Old Testament]] is sometimes referred to as the Canticles in Latin or the Song of Songs in Hebrew. It contains an erotic poem about the love of a man (sometimes identified as [[Solomon]] himself) with an un-named lover. [[Solomon]] is traditionally considered to be the author of the poem, however, it is unlikely that he is actually the poem's author.  
  
However, the book does have beautiful phrases and lyrical prose, which is often quoted in non-religious literature. The book has been permitted in the Bible due to its allegory of God's love for Israel and/or of the [[Church]].
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A manuscript of the [[Joseph Smith]] Translation contains a note, written in the margin, that "the Song of Solomon is not inspired scripture." It is not clear how authoritative such a note in an unfinished manuscript is, but most Latter-day Saints are reluctant to consider the Song of Solomon as inspired [[Scriptures|scripture]] despite its inclusion in the Biblical [[Canon]]. The book was included in the Bible because its romantic themes were traditionally interpreted as an allegory of God's love for Israel and/or for the [[Church]]. Nevertheless, due to its erotic content many Jewish groups and Christian denominations have also been reluctant to accept the Song of Solomon as inspired scripture.
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However, the book does contain beautiful phrases and lyrical prose, and is therefore certainly a gem of literature regardless of its status as inspired scripture. Furthermore, the use of human intimacy as an allegory for God's relationship with the Church is commonly found elsewhere in the scriptures. God himself quoted multiple times from the Song of Solomon in the [[Doctrine and Covenants]] (compare Song. 6:10 with D&C 5:14; 105:31; and 109:73). In each instance, the quotation is in the context of the the Church's rise form obscurity, using poetic passages from the Song of Solomon about the beauty and wonder that a man feels for his love. This use of the poem fits with the allegorical interpretation of the text. God's use of the allegorical interpretation from the Song of Solomon could indicate that He approves of the general principle of the allegory, regardless of whether the poem itself was not initially inspired.
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*[http://www.mormonbible.org Learn more at MormonBible.org]
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[[Category:Bible Topics]]

Latest revision as of 21:02, 3 September 2010

Judgement of Solomon Mormon
This book called the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament is sometimes referred to as the Canticles in Latin or the Song of Songs in Hebrew. It contains an erotic poem about the love of a man (sometimes identified as Solomon himself) with an un-named lover. Solomon is traditionally considered to be the author of the poem, however, it is unlikely that he is actually the poem's author.

A manuscript of the Joseph Smith Translation contains a note, written in the margin, that "the Song of Solomon is not inspired scripture." It is not clear how authoritative such a note in an unfinished manuscript is, but most Latter-day Saints are reluctant to consider the Song of Solomon as inspired scripture despite its inclusion in the Biblical Canon. The book was included in the Bible because its romantic themes were traditionally interpreted as an allegory of God's love for Israel and/or for the Church. Nevertheless, due to its erotic content many Jewish groups and Christian denominations have also been reluctant to accept the Song of Solomon as inspired scripture.

However, the book does contain beautiful phrases and lyrical prose, and is therefore certainly a gem of literature regardless of its status as inspired scripture. Furthermore, the use of human intimacy as an allegory for God's relationship with the Church is commonly found elsewhere in the scriptures. God himself quoted multiple times from the Song of Solomon in the Doctrine and Covenants (compare Song. 6:10 with D&C 5:14; 105:31; and 109:73). In each instance, the quotation is in the context of the the Church's rise form obscurity, using poetic passages from the Song of Solomon about the beauty and wonder that a man feels for his love. This use of the poem fits with the allegorical interpretation of the text. God's use of the allegorical interpretation from the Song of Solomon could indicate that He approves of the general principle of the allegory, regardless of whether the poem itself was not initially inspired.