OET interlinear SNG 1:1

1:1

This is Solomon’s Song of Songs: This verse begins the book with a title Song of Songs. The possessive Solomon’s may imply that Solomon was the author or it may imply that someone composed it for him. In some languages, it is helpful to translate 1:1 as a complete sentence. For example:

This is the most beautiful song, which is Solomon’s.

This is the Song of Songs, which Solomon wrote/sang.

Here begins the Song of Songs by Solomon.

This is Solomon’s: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as This is Solomon’s probably indicates that Solomon was the author.This was the traditional interpretation. But many modern scholars doubt that Solomon was the author. They interpret the expression “which is Solomon’s” to mean that the book was associated with him or belonged to him in some way. But nearly all English versions either imply or state that Solomon was the author. Some of the doubt about Solomon being the author is based on the fact that the Hebrew preposition le can have various meanings. For example: (1) It may mean “written by” Solomon; (2) “belonging to” Solomon; (3) “part of” Solomon’s collection; (4) “dedicated to” Solomon; or (5) “about” Solomon.Barbiero (2011) says that the phrase “ ‘which is of Solomon” is “an expression of authorship” (page 45). He suggests that this is a “fictional attribution.” In that ancient cultural context, authorship may have been understood more flexibly than in our present day culture. Attributing a writing to a famous author was a common practice and probably would not have been considered unethical nor as plagiarism. Barbiero believes that the Song was probably not written by Solomon, yet because he believed that the Song’s author/editor intended to ascribe authorship to Solomon, it should be translated that way. Actually this might be close to the truth if one considers the broader ancient understandings of “authorship.” So, the most natural way to translate asher lishlomo in this context would probably be as indicating Solomonic authorship, even though by our definition it may not be literally true that Solomon was the author by our modern standards. There are two ways to translate the phrase:

• Use a phrase that implies Solomon was the author. For example:

  The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s (RSV)

• Use a more specific expression that clearly identifies Solomon as the author. For example:

  The Song of Songs, written/composed by Solomon

Solomon’s: Solomon was one of the most famous kings of Israel. He was known for his great wisdom, and his name in 1:1 gives the book status and authority.Since Solomon wrote proverbs and other wise instruction, his name here may also imply that this is a type of Wisdom Literature (which includes Job, Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs). However, he is not an active character in the book.When most modern English versions use headings to identify the male speaker in the Song, they use general headings such as “he,” “man,” “young man,” “lover,” or “groom.” (BSB, CEV, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NLT, REB, GNT) rather than “Solomon.” Most modern commentators who follow the “love poetry” interpretation agree that Solomon is not an active character in the Song. Solomon was not the man whom the woman loved. The author did not tell the name of the man whom she loved.

Song of Songs: The phrase Song of Songs is a type of comparison called a “superlative.” It indicates that something is the greatest or best of its kind.Other superlatives in the Old Testament include “holy of holies” (the most holy place) and “Lord of lords” (the Lord over all other lords). Song of Songs means “the most beautiful song,” “the best song.”A few Bible scholars suggest that this phrase means “the song consisting of many songs.” But by far the most common understanding of this construction is that it functions as a Hebrew superlative, meaning “the best song.” Other ways to translate Song of Songs are:

This is Solomon’s song of songs, more wonderful than any other. (NLT)

The most beautiful song of Solomon. (GW)

In some languages it is not possible to translate a superlative literally. Use a natural way in your language to describe a song that is more excellent and beautiful than other songs. Some other ways to describe it are:

Here is a song by Solomon that is sweeter than any other song.

This song that Solomon wrote/sang is wonderful. No one has heard a song like it.

Song: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as Song identifies the book as a type of poetry that people can sing. They can also play musical instruments as they sing or chant the Song. The theme of the Song is romantic love (love between a man and a woman), so it is “love poetry.”

The Hebrew word for Song here is a general word that can refer to different types of joyful songs. Use an appropriate word in your language to refer to a joyful love song. Notice that the word is singular. This suggests that the book is one unified song, not a collection of many songs.