Song of Songs (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms) by Hess Richard S

Author:Hess, Richard S. [Hess, Richard S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: REL006090, REL006060, REL006050
ISBN: 9781441205025
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2005-04-01T00:00:00+00:00

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[6:1]Where has your lover gone,

Most beautiful of women,

Where has your lover ventured,

So that we can seek him with you?

* * *

6:1. Chorus: Inquiry for the male. The speech of the chorus stands on each side of the waṣf, with questions structured in a similar manner in both (Brenner, Song, 38). The question “where?” (ʾānāh) occurs only here in the Song, and here it appears twice in parallel.[48] Further, the use of the word pair “gone/ventured” (hālak/pānāh) appears only here in the whole of poetry. The two verbs do not often occur with the same subject, and when they do they normally appear in the reverse order, to convey the sense of turning away and departing (Gen. 18:22; Deut. 16:7; Josh. 22:4; Judg. 18:21; 1 Sam. 10:9; 1 Kings 10:13; 2 Kings 5:12). An exception is 1 Kings 17:3, where Joshua is commanded to leave (lēk) and turn (ûpānîtā) eastward. The expression “most beautiful of women” occurs in Song 1:8; 5:9; and here for the third and final time—always from the chorus. The verb “to seek, look for” occurs here for the fifth and last time in the Song. Previously it appeared in 3:1 (2x), 2; and 5:6, always used by the woman about seeking her lover. Only here does the chorus express a desire to search out the male with her. In fact, this usage recalls 5:6, a verse that certainly connects to the narrative suggested by 6:1. It was the last time the lover was mentioned. He had appeared at the door, but by the time the female arrived to open it, he was gone. Her quest for him began there but was interrupted by the waṣf of his characteristics. This verse now renews the concern and also draws the whole chorus in as participants. Their question, directed at the female, seems odd. In 5:6 she sought her lover but did not find him. Why would they ask a meaningless question? However, as the subsequent verses of this chapter reveal, she does know his location and soon enough is conversing with him. Thus the connections with 5:6, while useful as thematic indicators, are overtaken by a whole new scene and perspective. The female is no longer searching but has found the object of her desire. Rhetorically, the skepticism of the female chorus in 5:9 has been transformed into positive desire by the intervening response of the woman. The point may be to sweep along the readers as well. The descriptive power of the man’s beauty, as related by the woman, brings us all into a common mission, the pursuit of the lover.

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