CEU eTD Collection COMMENTARIES ON THE – A POSSIBLE SONGS SONG–A OF THE ON COMMENTARIES MA THESIS IN STUDIES THESIS MEDIEVAL MA JEWISH-CHRISTIAN POLEMICS JEWISH-CHRISTIAN ANDOR KELENHEGYI Central European University European Central Budapest

CEU eTD Collection Budapest Central European University, Budapest, in partial fulfillment of the requirements requirements of the partialfulfillment Budapest,in University, European Central COMMENTARIES ON THE SONG OF SONGS – A POSSIBLE SONGS SONG–A OF THE ON COMMENTARIES Thesis submitted to the Department of Medieval Studies, ofMedieval the Department to submitted Thesis Accepted in conformance with the standards of the CEU ofthe standards with the conformance in Accepted ______of the Master of Arts degree in Medieval Studies Medieval degree in ofArts Master of the JEWISH-CHRISTIAN POLEMICS JEWISH-CHRISTIAN Chair, Examination Committee Chair, Examination ANDOR KELENHEGYI Thesis Supervisor Thesis (Hungary) May 2011 May May 2011 May Examiner Examiner by ii CEU eTD Collection Budapest Central European University, Budapest, in partial fulfillment of the requirements requirements ofthe partialfulfillment Budapest,in University, European Central COMMENTARIES ON THE SONG OF SONGS – A POSSIBLE SONGS SONG–A OF THE ON COMMENTARIES Thesis submitted to the Department of Medieval Studies, ofMedieval the Department to submitted Thesis Accepted in conformance with the standards of the CEU ofthe standards with the conformance in Accepted ______of the Master of Arts degree in Medieval Studies Medieval degree in ofArts Master of the JEWISH-CHRISTIAN POLEMICS JEWISH-CHRISTIAN External Examiner Andor KelenhegyiAndor (Hungary) May 2011 May by iii CEU eTD Collection Central European University, Budapest, in partial fulfillment of the requirements requirements ofthe partialfulfillment Budapest,in University, European Central COMMENTARIES ON THE SONG OF SONGS – A POSSIBLE SONGS SONG–A OF THE ON COMMENTARIES Accepted in conformance with the standards of the CEU ofthe standards with the conformance in Accepted Thesis submitted to the Department of Medieval Studies, ofMedieval the Department to submitted Thesis of the Master of Arts degree in Medieval Studies Medieval degree in ofArts Master of the JEWISH-CHRISTIAN POLEMICS JEWISH-CHRISTIAN ______Andor KelenhegyiAndor Supervisor Supervisor Supervisor (Hungary) May 2011 May Budapest iv CEU eTD Collection Budapest, 25 May 2010 25May Budapest, an for education higher of institution other any to degree. academic form this in submitted the been of part has no that thesis declare also I copyright. institution’s or person’s any on the infringes of part thesis no and others, of work the of made was use illegitimate and unidentified no that declare I bibliography. and notes in credited properly as information research external my such only on and based work, own my exclusively is thesis present the that herewith declare undersigned, the I, Andor Kelenhegyi Andor , candidate for the MA degree in Medieval Studies Medieval in degree MA the for candidate ______SIGNATURE v

CEU eTD Collection Bárány, Petra Verebics, Ágoston Guba and Katalin Fiedler. Katalin Ágoston and Guba Petra Verebics, Bárány, István Parlagi, Gáspár Ribáry, Márton Soldat, Oleg Kraft, my András of colleagues, encouragement and the friends least not but last and ideas remarks, the thank to like would I Finally, form. present its in thesis the shape to possible it made and English, incompetent and poor my on tirelessly and earnestly worked has who Rasson, Judith to indebted greatly am I motivating. and highly instructive highly both were questions provoking ceasing never and contribution, insightful remarks, Their Szőnyi. Endre György Prof. and Klaniczay Gábor Prof. Perczel, István Prof. Geréby, György Prof. of critiques the and ideas the advices, the thank to like would I Furthermore, been built. could have thesis my of bases and the which patience upon cornerstones the His were discussions our work. during logic my undeniable for fundamental was me to attention and respect kindness, his support, firm His Wilke. Carsten Prof. thank to like would I this foremost, writing and First me thesis. helped had who those all to gratitude utmost my express to like would I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vi

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Appendix – The text of the Song of Songs’ from its english edition Song from its english –Theofthe ofSongs’ text Appendix Bibliography Conclusions family allegorical III.The Chapter characters allegorical ofthe speeches II.The Chapter couple allegorical I.The Chapter Introduction ofabbreviationsList ofContentsTable Signature KelenhegyiAndor KelenhegyiAndor ......

II.II. Speech of the male character ofthe male II.II. Speech character female speech ofthe II.I. The character male I.II. The character female I.I. The and methodology 1.4. Aim ofResearch 1.3. State Tradition Jewish understanding ofthe Allegorical 1.2.2. The tradition ofthe Christian understandings allegorical 1.2.1. The understanding Allegorical 1.2. The ofSongs Song waysthe two ofreading 1.1 The Studies in Thesis Medieval MA ...... TABLE OF CONTENTS OF TABLE ......

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vii vii vii

39 37 27 15 15 12 10 86 80 77 61 50

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i i CEU eTD Collection PMLA PL PG Press, 2005) InterVarsity of Song ACCS Proceedings of the Modern Language Association ofthe Language Modern Proceedings 1844-1865) Fratres, Migne(Paris:Garnier P. Latina,ed. J. Patrologia 1855-1867) Fratres, Migne(Paris:Garnier P. Graeca, ed. J. Patrologia , Proverbs, Scripture, the on Commentaries Christain Ancient ,

d J oet Wih n hms C dn Dwes Goe Ill: Grove, (Downers Oden. C. Thomas and Wright Robert J. ed LIST OF ABBREVIATIONSLIST viii

CEU eTD Collection love poetry, filled with erotic images. with erotic poetry, filled love the surface, the on that is text, the of characteristic quoted often the of peculiarity the for canon, Jewish the and Catholic the both of part As Scripture. Holy the of pieces perplexing most the The Hungarian. in Version Károli the of words elevated the the encounter York: Ktav Publishing, 1954) Ktav 1. Publishing, York: 4 3 God of andtheEros Songs of 2 Literature how matter no sex, of allegory continuous 1 a were Song the “If meaning: its to more be theme.” national or religious a lacking canon the in book only the is “it that claim mere the and smile sardonic the interpret to made have exegetes Christian and of efforts tremendous the and piece this reading of millennia the of feature major the and characteristic main the as many Rbr ods Gordis, Robert of Songs,” Song e.g., H. M. “The Segal, See, the of canonicity the of questions the On the the Spirit: or Letter “The Longxi, Zhang 2 it has puzzled commentators, interpreters, and mere readers for centuries. The reasons The for centuries. readers and mere interpreters, commentators, puzzled has it Although the the Although not did I that Except well. as them said have could I but mine, not are words These its at so more verses? bythe ofsuch affected power be even and to fail anyone could How Scriptures. language, Holy august and austere the in inclusion sensuous rich its astonishingly of beauty the and at surprise imagery with filled was I Version, James King the of English melodious and quaint the in Solomon of Song the read first I When 39, No. 3 (1987) 193. 39, No. 3(1987) 1.1 THE TWO WAYS OF READING THE SONG OF SONGS SONG OF THE TWOWAYSOF READING 1.1 THE Song of Songs of Song The Song of Songs and Lamentations, a Study, Modern Translation and Commentary Commentary and Translation Modern Study, a Lamentations, and Songs of Song The 4 Song of Songs Songs of Song (Oxford: Oxford University Press,2009) 12-14. University Oxford (Oxford: Song of Songs Songs of Song in the English of the King James Version for the first time, but time, first the for Version James King the of English the in Song of Songs of Song INTRODUCTION Song of Songs of Song to has there scenes, and images erotic includes definitely Song of Songs of Song Vetus Testamentum Vetus are numerous. Firstly, the most well known and most and known well most the Firstly, numerous. are This eroticism was and still is understood by understood is still and was eroticism This , however, , 1 and its canonization see Edmée Kingsmill, Kingsmill, Edmée see canonization its and , Allegoresis, and the the and , Allegoresis, , 12,No. 4(1962): 479-481.

cannot simply be dismissed with a with dismissed be simply cannot Song of Songs of Song Song of Songs of Song Song of Songs Songs of Song Book of Poetry of Book is indeed one of one indeed is . 3 ,” ,” Nearly two Nearly is a piece of piece a is Comparative The Song The

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CEU eTD Collection hita rdtos Aog te ay pin, hr ae w wy hc ae markedly the interpreting are of history which the in ways significant two are there options, many the Among traditions. Christian the this of interpretation the to dedicated commentaries of development the in phase a certain is thesis of matter subject the precisely, More other. each of -- indirectly sometimes directly, the of the draw they picture of the it, contents on written the commentaries or character the not is thesis this Songs of Song Scripture. the to written commentaries Songs of the on written commentaries of number amazing an finds also one but meaning, sexual tease.” a or riddle a than more nothing be would it allusions, the subtle or techniques the ingenious the Song of PMLA Songs,” the Song 9 8 89. 1977), Doubleday, 7 Songs theSongof or Canticles 6 305. Harvard 1987) UP, (Cambridge: 5 interpreters Christian and Jewish early Therefore, exegesis. literal for room little seemed commentaries. earliest from traditions the Jewish Mopsuestia, century, eighteenth the before approach first allegorical. or literal be either can commentary Pope, Pope, Murphy, See. Pope, H. Marvin See in Songs,” of Song “The Landy, Francis Song of Songs The Targum of Canticles of Targum The The Song of Songs, Songs, of Song The 5 To be sure, one finds interpretations of the ofthe beoneinterpretations sure, finds To Thus, due to the (possibly sacred but also) erotic imagery of the the of imagery erotic also) but sacred (possibly the to due Thus, and Jewish the both in book Biblical a interpreting of ways numerous are There 6 in both the Christian and Jewish traditions. In fact, there are more (allegorical) more are there fact, In traditions. Jewish and Christian the both in If nothing else, these commentaries and the interpretations they offer make the make offer they interpretations the and commentaries these else, nothing If 9 the second one, the allegorical approach, is attested in both the Christian and Christian the both in attested is approach, allegorical the one, second the The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The special and more than a mere recollection of a love affair. Thus, the subject of subject the Thus, affair. love a of recollection mere a than more and special The Song of Songs of Song The .

119. On the first literal approaches see also Robert T. Clark jr. “Herder, Percy, and Percy, “Herder, jr. Clark T. Robert also see approaches literal first the On 119. 61, no. 4 (1946) 1088-1091. 61, no.4(1946) (Minneapolis: FortressPress,1990) (Minneapolis: , 34. Cf. Roland E. Murphy, Murphy, E. Roland Cf. 34. , 38-39. og o Songs of Song , a New Translation with Introduction and Commentary and Introduction with Translation New a The Literary Guide to the , Bible, the to Guide Literary The 8 the most famous one clearly being Theodore of Theodore being clearly one famous most the Song of Songs of Song hn o n te niiul f the of book individual other any on than 7 While there are only a few examples of the of examples few a only are there While The Song of Songs, a Commentary on the Book of Book the on Commentary a Songs, of Song The Song of Songs Song of Songs , 21. Song of Songs of Song . In case of this Biblical book, Biblical this of case In . og o og, Songs, of Song ed. Robert Alter and Frank Kermode Frank and Alter Robert ed. that focus only focus onits erotic,that Song of Songs of Song , and – sometimes – and , u ahr the rather but (New York: (New , there , Song

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CEU eTD Collection Songs the of interpretation the in God of role the solidified also understanding this framework, interpretative an offering Besides God. its to relationship Israel’s of understandings such of examples numerous are there God. with husband, a or bridegroom a character, male the identifying and wife a or bride a character, female a with community the identifying was framework text. interpretthe offer ways to and the understanding help would that canon established already the in concepts or verses elements, other for look to was it approached have would interpreter Christian or Jewish any which in way primary the canon, the in accepted was book the that fact the to Due other. each for love their express often character male a and female a text: Biblical the from excerpted be can that thing only and first the the understanding in characters the identifying was an question foremost such For understandings. allegorical to turn only could 13 12 11 2010) 68-69. Kingsmill, Cf. Tusculanum, Museum 10 the of understanding allegorical validated precisely, approach interpretative this date to impossible is it Although principle. this from resulting difficulties to back come to the of had verse every interpreters expound the all, and good for established was protagonists the two the Since of approach. identity this to consequence certain a however, was, There picture. the into Songs of Song Murphy, Murphy, Hos. 1-2. 2:2 etc. 54:6-7,Jer. E.g.,Ezek. D. Ginsburg, Christian Cf. in Interpretation,” and “Canon Lundhaug, Hugo , Jewish interpreters could kill two birds with one stone. First, they could interpret the interpret could they First, stone. one with birds two kill could interpreters Jewish , In the case of the the of case the In The Song of Songs Song of The in a way way a in 1.2. THE ALLEGORICAL UNDERSTANDING ALLEGORICAL 1.2. THE The Song of Songs Songs Song of The , 14. Song of Songs Songs of Song which validated its sexual imagery. Second, they could bring God bring could they Second, imagery. sexual its validated which Song of Songs Songs of Song Song of Songs of Song 13 t cn b orcl sue ht a salse and established an that assumed correctly be can it (New York: Ktav, 1970 – reprint from 1857) 108. 1970 –reprint from (New York: Ktav, a framework for interpretation had long existed. This existed. long had interpretation for framework a The Song of Songs and the Eros of God of andtheEros Songs Song of The Canon and Canonicity, Canonicity, and Canon Song of Songs Songs of Song according to their principle. In my thesis, I will I thesis, my In principle. their to according . By applying a prophetic picture to the the to picture prophetic a applying By . Song of Songs of Song was necessary for its inclusion in inclusion its for necessary was ed. Einar Thomassen (Copenhagen: Thomassen Einar ed. 11 In the prophetic books prophetic the In . At first sight, there is there sight, first At . , 11. Song of Song 12 10 3

CEU eTD Collection references. (an approaches) interpretation exegetical Hellenistic of application allegorical Jewish the of replacing and copying on based perhaps was identification This Christ. Testament, New the of bridegroom the with identified is character the of exegesis the approached understanding allegorical ways two inChristian the element a common was understanding. There allegorical the with dealing of ways two are there argumentation, it circles. Jewish in of representatives the that exegesis rabbinic in early successful sowas approach interpretative established been already had Songs of Song understanding ofthe an allegorical centuries second bythe that first and say correctly literature. canonical York: State University of New York, 1996) 13-22. of York, University New State York: 22 Press,2004), 59-61. University 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 accordance in However, Church. the signifying as character female the interpret to possible Church, the and Israel between consequently and Testament, New Fathers the and Testament Church by (assumed relationship typological the with line with Christ. be identified was to character male idea the to that the interpreters Christian Cf. Marc Hirschman, Hirschman, Marc Cf. Chazan, Robert Ginsburg, Cf. E.g.,Eph.5:22-32. Pope, Murphy, Pope, Pope, Cf. 3:5. Yadaim Mishna 17 1.2.1. THE ALLEGORICAL UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN OF THE UNDERSTANDINGS ALLEGORICAL 1.2.1. THE literally displaced, or rather suppressed, any other possible understandingsforcenturies. possible any other orrather suppressed, displaced, literally The Song of Songs, Songs, Songof The Songs Songof The Cf. Kingsmill, Kingsmill, Cf. As for the second protagonist, the female character, there were two possibilities. In possibilities. two were there character, female the protagonist, second the for As my in element important an constitute will which understandings, Christian the for As The Song of Songs, Songof The The Song of Songs, Songof The 20 The most probable, however, is that a mixture of the two bases was what led what was bases two the of mixture a that is however, probable, most The ahoig Jws dniy i eivl Wsen Crsedm Christendom Western Medieval in Identity Jewish Fashioning 14 A Rivalry of Genius, Genius, of Rivalry A The Song of Songs and the Eros of God of andtheEros Songs Songof The Therefore, after quoting the famous notions of Akiba, Rabbi of notions famous the quoting after Therefore, , 99-100. 112-114. 28-31. 92. The Song of Songs, Song of The Jewish and Christian Biblical Interpretation in Late Antiquity (New Antiquity Late in Interpretation Biblical and Christian Jewish TRADITION 108; Murphy, 108; 19 Song of Songs of Song or perhaps on some vague New Testament New vague some on perhaps or , 12-14. Song of Songs of Song The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The 16 h salsmn f this of establishment The . In both concepts the male the concepts both In . in the framework of an of framework the in 21 Cmrde Cambridge (Cambridge: ewe h Old the between ) 14.

15 one may one 22 it is it 18

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CEU eTD Collection mn atr, Geksekn ahr. Oie o ny “upse himself” “surpassed rendering his in methods interpretative possible the all almost provided also but commentary, only not fathers. his Greek-speaking and Eastern, as much he among as just Greek, tradition Western in the in upon writing built and was used widely he were commentaries Although important. most the doubt without the interpreting of trends and framework the establish interpretation. Christian subsequent on effect little had and fragments in survived only however, commentary, His Church. the with character female the identifying upon commentary his built Hyppolytus, Songs the of reading Christian of beginnings very the from attested are traditions both that It sure is interpretation. ofChristian first centuries the whatcharacterized is interpretation individual the of soul the signifying Christian. as character female the understand to tendency individual, the of salvation the with preoccupation Fathers’ Church early with 30 29 4-10, 16-21. 1957) 28 27 26 25 24 Mittelalters 23 prevalent. more is Church the as character female the of interpretation his in forefront, the in is understanding tropological the his in while that said be be can it works, both in found can interpretations both Although attested. are character female the of interpretations possible both understandings these Among understanding. of ways several encounters reader the of Murphy, See Pope, Riedlinger, Murphy, Cf. Pope, Cf. Riedlinger, Helmut Cf. Origen, The Songof The Songs, Origen, Origen, The Song of Songs, Commentary and Homilies, and Commentary Songs, of Song The Origen, h is hita nepee nw o hv leoie h the allegorized have to known interpreter Christian first The . Song of Songs of Song The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The eiv ht te rvly r rte h eiain ewe hs w as of ways two these between hesitation, the rather or rivalry, the that believe I The Song of Songs, Song of The (Muenster: (Muenster: 24 The Song of Songs Songof The Die Makellosigkeit der Kirche, der Makellosigkeit Die The Song of Songs, Songof The Aschendorffsche Verlagsbuchhandlung,1958) Aschendorffsche . In his two main works, main two his In . 114 des Hohenliedkommentaren Lateinischen Den in Kirche der Makellosigkeit Die trans. Lawson, 10-11, 14-15. Lawson, 10-11, trans. 26 16. , 115. t ws osqety p t h usqet cuc ahr to fathers church subsequent the to up consequently, was, It .

14. 20-21. 28 which are only fragmentarily preserved, fragmentarily only are which trans. R. P. Lawson (New York: Newman Press, Newman York: (New Lawson P. R. trans. Commentarium in Canticum Canticorum Canticum in Commentarium Song of Songs of Song Homiliae in Canticum Canticorum Canticum in Homiliae

27-28. . Among them, Origen is Origen them, Among . 30 The changes between changes The og o Songs, of Song 23 there is also a also is there 27 Song of Song n his in 29 the 25 5

CEU eTD Collection dniid te fml hrce ih te Cuc a h togs. Te rao o this for reason of end the At Church. The the of importance growing the to strongest. connected perhaps was development the was Church the with character female the identified Songs, of his in , the fathers. of interpretation ecclesiological the re-established Church homilies, Origen’s of translation Western the of some by supported further were efforts Songs of Song the of tradition interpretative the into order some put to need a felt Cyrrhus of Theodoret highlighted. was Christ to relation Church’s the which in commentary a produced Athanasius time same the at the in conveyed aspect tropological the on focus to chose example, for Nyssa, of Gregory interpretation. of directions two the between hesitated seemingly Origen of successors and followers The tradition. Christian subsequent of ambiguity the for enough unit. coherent a create rather but Origen, of works the in other each contradict not do understandings two the 38 179-180. Press, 2001) 37 36 35 34 33 32 Marriage-Song in appeared 31 tradition Christian rearranged certainly but historical not-entirely-new, a a century fifth toward further step could the of plot – alleged – whole the of interpretation interpreters Christian Western which upon power. full its to reach more century half a and one needed it concept, ecclesiological the of increase gradual the to parallel be might it and But, Christian. nominally was Empire the century, fourth the Ginsburg, Ginsburg, Schwartz, Seth Cf. Ginsburg, Pope, Pope, Ginsburg, King, Christopher J. Origen The Songof The Songs, Origen The Song of Songs Songof The Songs, Songof The l n al y te bgnig o h it etr h nepeaie taiin that tradition interpretative the century fifth the of beginning the by all, in All 35 The Song of Songs, Song of The Songs Song of The Songs Songof The

which was spread further by Augustine’s efforts. spreadfurther byAugustine’s which was (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005) 14-15. Press,2005) University Oxford (Oxford: . 31 34 33 The fact that both are attested in the works of Origen, however, was perhaps was however, of Origen, works the in attested are both that fact The In his commentary, he re-enacted the ecclesiological interpretation. His interpretation. ecclesiological the re-enacted he commentary, his In The ambiguity was so great that as early as the end of the fourth century fourth the of end the as early as that great so was ambiguity The Imperialism and Jewish Society 200 B.C.E to 640 C.E. C.E. 640 to B.C.E 200 Society Jewish and Imperialism Origen on the Song of Songs as the Spirit of Scripture, the Bridegroom’s Perfect Bridegroom’s the Scripture, of Spirit the as Songs of Song the on Origen 37 This ecclesiological development of the commentaries was the basis the was commentaries the of development ecclesiological This , 120-121. 117-118. trans. Lawson, 18-19. trans. , 65. , 64. 67. Song of Songs. of Song 36

38 (Princeton: Princeton University Princeton (Princeton: From the beginning of the of beginning the From Song of Songs of Song , 32 while Song 6

CEU eTD Collection Nyssa, and Philo of Carpasius. In order to highlight the transition from the from transition the highlight to order In Carpasius. of Philo and Elvira of Gregory Nyssa, of Gregory are commentaries these of authors The century. fourth the of half second the from the of reading Songs the of chapters two first the to commentaries Origen’s Jerome and Rufinus of efforts the to thanks but survived, have little original Greek the from Although centuries. second the the of interpretation with them. my list Ibegin due is that Iam it that using commentaries Latin the all almost the to prior are fathers Greek these Since well. as tradition Greek the of representatives some examined. increasingly was religion, Jewish ofIsrael/the nation the its predecessor, and Church the between relationship the approach, this of consequence a As God. to relationship its by expressed value historical its and salvation in role Church’s the of importance the by replaced increasingly was God toward journey soul’s individual the of significance the which al. (Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 2001) ix-x. Press,2001) Liturgical The Minnesota: al. (Collegeville, in “Introduction,” 40 39 fifth the from successors his than tradition, Biblical prevalent the the of by understanding touched ecclesiological less surprisingly not is, which west, the in Milan of the on work his completing the of reading ecclesiological the on fifth half century. ofthe the first from ofAlexandria Cyrill and Ancyra of Nilus Cyrrhus, of Theodoret of commentaries the used I centuries, subsequent tropological Meaning the allegory in which the emphasis is on the relationship between God and the individual soul. Cf. soul. individual the and God between relationship the on is emphasis the which in allegory the Meaning Origen, The Songof The Songs, Origen, were and still are extant in Latin. in extant are still and were As for the late antique, early medieval Latin tradition, the emphasis is almost always almost is emphasis the tradition, Latin medieval early antique, late the for As of history the with dealing study any with due is it as source, earliest My however is there tradition, Latin the to mostly belong use will I sources Christian The 40 nesadn f tee Gek ftes t h clsooia edrn of rendering ecclesiological the to fathers Greek these of understanding The Song of Songs, of Song The Song of Songs of Song Song of Songs of Song trans. Lawson, 4-7. trans. , the reader will occasionally encounter Greek commentaries Greek encounter occasionally will reader the , Song of Songs, of Song Berit Olam, Studies in Hebrew Narrative & Poetry, ed. Dianne Bergant et Bergant Dianne ed. Poetry, & Narrative Hebrew in Studies Olam, Berit , is naturally Origen’s two interpretations from the end of end the from interpretations two Origen’s naturally is , Song of Songs of Song 39 As a contrast to my analysis of the ecclesiological the of analysis my to contrast a As one already encounters the commentary of commentary the encounters already one . At the same time Gregory of Nyssa is Nyssa of Gregory time same the At . Song of Song 7

CEU eTD Collection of Apponius commentary the be to seems source primary Bede’s fact In centuries. fifth-sixth the of Latinfathers mentioned previously the to close are they analysis my in show to try will I as but, the of tradition interpretative the in step further a to belonging as regarded usually are authors two These century. (Alcuin) eighth the and Venerable) the (Bede seventh the of representatives are analysis my of sources Christian last The Seville. of Isidore and Great the Gregory of that by followed is which century, sixth early the from Cassiodorus of commentary the is them among one earliest The centuries. sixth-eighth the from originate Apponius, of concepts the utilize who tradition, Latin the of representatives subsequent The century. fifth the of half first the to back dates probably commentary, whose Apponius, is west the in understanding ecclesiological-historical an of supporter ardent first The century. 46 45 Patristica 44 um 1200 bis Abendlandes 43 16. 2005) (London: Routledge, 42 Christianae 41 meaning. Songs ofthe verses literature, tannaitic times Numerous in same corpora. in the wide-spread in as early as God to relation Israel’s the of elements which in interpretations the of identification the concerning f rhrG odr“h arsi ore fBd’ omnayo h ogo og, n 24a, Brakhot etc. 47a, e.g.,Bavli in See, Songs,” of Song the on Pope, Cf. Commentary Bede’s of Sources Patristic “The Holder G. Arthur Cf. Ohly, Friedrich See Moorehead, John see commentary Gregory’s of dating the On Explanatio,” Canticorum Canticum Frank, K.“In S. of see Apponius of the dating thecommentary On 1.2.2. THE ALLEGORICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE JEWISH OF THE UNDERSTANDING ALLEGORICAL 1.2.2. THE r nepee codn o ohr sadrs o vn udrto n ter plain their in understood even or standards other to according interpreted are It is more difficult to mark the cornerstones of the development of Jewish tradition Jewish of development the of cornerstones the mark to difficult more is It XXXIV (Leuven: Peeters, 2001) Peeters, XXXIV (Leuven: 46 The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The 39, no. 4 (1985) 371-378. 39, no.4(1985) The variety of interpretations seems to match the diversity of early Christian early of diversity the match to seems interpretations of variety The 44 which, thus, gives a suitable framework to my choice of sources. to ofsources. my choice framework givesa thus, suitable which, (Weisbaden: Franz Steiner Verlag, 1958), 32-92. 1958), Verlag, Steiner Franz (Weisbaden: oele-tde, Gudüe enr Gshct e oeleaseug des Hohenliedauslegung der Geschichte einer Grundzüge Hohenlied-Studien, 89. Song of Songs of Song 372-373, Talmudic TRADITION Song of Songs of Song times, ’ characters. While one encounters rabbinic encounters one While characters. Gregory the Great. Great. the Gregory 45 different understandings were also were understandings different are interpreted along the lines of lines the along interpreted are The Early Church Fathers Church Early The Song of Song of Song Song of Vigilae Studia

,

43 42 41 8

CEU eTD Collection probably also the work of a rabbi or rabbis of Palestine originates from the seventh or the or seventh the from originates Palestine of rabbis or rabbi a of work the also probably century. sixth the of middle the to back dates Palestine, from century. fifth the to back dating both in composed mostly are here, the are use I sources sources earliest The Palestine. my of part major rabbinical the These constitute century. which eighth the sources, of end the and sixth the of beginning the between place took redaction their that assume to correct is it vague, best, at is, sources these of dating the Although perceived. be can milieu interpretative similar a which in compiled or were written works rabbinical of number historical a the place, toward took change commentaries Christian the among as approach time same the approximately at that apparent is either it are Ages Middle early the and antiquity Nevertheless, oranonymous works. ofindividual commentaries ofvastnumbers compilations late the from extant are that sources the on commentaries long find not does one corpus rabbinic the in that is this for reason The course. their changed interpretations rabbinic the where and when say to difficult is It interpretations. 53 52 51 Review, Quarterly 50 87-88. Rabbah,” Leviticus in Polemic Christian 49 and Talmud 48 47 editor. the of mentality the of reflection a be itself can order certain a into them organizing and verses Biblical certain on commentaries certain choosing in. active were they milieu historical the consequently, and, editors the of concept the about revealing is redaction the Nevertheless, redaction. the of century eighth Cf. Jacob Neusner, Jacob Cf. Lachs, See of dating the On Stemberger, Strack, Stemberger, Gunter Strack, L. Hermann see Kahana deRab Pesiqta of dating the On Pope, The Targum of Canticles of Targum The The Song of Songs Songof The ogo og Songs of Song Prolegomena toProlegomena Canticles . 51 NS 55, No. 3. (1965): 246-247. 55,No. NS 3.(1965): Canticles Rabba Rabba Canticles Many of the materials in these commentaries are much earlier than the time the than earlier much are commentaries these in materials the of Many (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1991) 321-322. 1991) Clark, (Edinburgh:T&T Midrash in Context in Midrash nrdcint h amdadMdah Midrash, and Talmud the to Introduction 101-102. , 55-58. ascribed to a certain author before the ninth century. ninth the before author certain a to ascribed see Samuel Tobias Lachs, “Prolegomena to Canticles Rabba,” Rabba,” Canticles to “Prolegomena Lachs, Tobias Samuel see ,

247-248. 247-248. (Philadelphia: FortressPress,1993), 70-71. (Philadelphia: Proceedings of the American Academy for Jewish Research Research Jewish for Academy American the of Proceedings 49 h oplto ftethe of compilation The Leviticus Rabba Leviticus 316-317. Cf. Burton L. Visotzky, “Anti- Visotzky, L. Burton Cf. 316-317. 52 That is to say, the reasons for reasons the say, to is That and the the and 50 53

Therefore, the midrashim and midrashim the Therefore, Finally, the the Finally, atce ab,Rabba, Canticles Pesiqta deRab Kahana, deRab Pesiqta Targum Canticles Targum Introduction to the to Introduction 47 The rabbinic The The Jewish The similarly 56 (1990): 56 48 9 ,

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CEU eTD Collection Christian interpretations. Christian to work) coherent a (as relations its of studies large-scale prevented however, compilation, allegory. historical scale the of century. eleventh uniqueness the that the claims who Menn, M. Esther until by made is statement restrained up somewhat tradition Christian in matched be cannot examples the bold argued that Alexander –byPhilip Alexander. S. –among beenothers has doubted statements Loewe’s general. in text the of interpretation Christian the and of tradition the Canticles contemporaries. the on commentaries Rashi’s between connections tradition. Jewish of symbolism female Kabbalistic the and interpreters Christian eleventh-century of interpretation Mariological Midrash Midrash 62 426. and Judaism Early in Scripture of Interpretation 61 Press,1996) Academic 24-29. Sheffield (Sheffield: in: Tradition,” 60 178. Transformations 59 22-58. Press,1991), esp. Magnes (: Scripture] 58 Context,” Historical its 57 polemical the emphasize rather but traditions, two the of interrelation continuous the of the interpretations oehtrcn xeto rmti ednyi:Dne oai,Boyarin, Daniel is: tendency this from exception recent somewhat A the of “Targum Menn, M. Esther Exegetical an of Development the on Notes Allegory: Historical as Songs of Song “The Alexander, S. Philip in Songs,” of Song the to Targum the in Motifs “Apologetic Loewe, Raphael Kamin, Sarah in Symbol Kabbalistic a on Reflections Songs, of Song the and Mary, Virgin the “Shekhinah, Green, Arthur Targum Targum Targum’s Targum’s Targum As is visible from this brief summary, many comparisons of the Jewish and Christian and Jewish the of comparisons many summary, brief this from visible is As (Bloomington: Indiana UP, 1990) UP, 105-117. Indiana (Bloomington: the first fundamental source was Raphael Loewe’s study, Loewe’s Raphael was source fundamental first the was formulated in a way so that it would polemicize against the present esoteric present the against polemicize would it that so way a in formulated was Targumic and Cognate Studies: Essays in Honor of Martin McNamara Martin of Honor in Essays Studies: Cognate and Targumic , ed. Alexander Altmann (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1966): 173-193. esp. 170-173, esp. 173-193. 1966): Press, University Harvard (Cambridge: Altmann Alexander ed. , historical understanding of the the of understanding historical ’s concept lies in its moving from particular historical events toward large- toward events historical particular from moving its in lies concept ’s המקרא בפרשנות לנוצרים יהודים בין יהודים לנוצרים בפרשנות המקרא 58 n qetos o h oeia ruet rsne n te the in presented arguments polemical the of questions On Association for Review, Studies Jewish for Association Song of Songsof Song 62 61 h The Canticles Rabba’ Canticles og o Songs of Song have been made been have 57

utemr, Srh Kmn hs epaie the emphasized has Kamin Sarah Furthermore, [Between Jews and Christians in the interpretation of the of interpretation the in Christians and Jews [Between Song of Songs of Song n h yais o itrcl Algr, n in Allegory,” Historical of Dynamics the and s , ed. Craig A. Evans (London: T&T Clark, 2000) Clark, T&T (London: Evans A. Craig ed. ,

26, No. 1(2002): 1-52. 26,No. . These studies, however, do not focus on not focus do however, studies, These . Song of Songs of Song rendering as a not too well organized well too not a as rendering is unique and apart from a few a from apart and unique is Intertextuality and the Reading of Reading the and Intertextuality and that of his Christian his of that and 59 in which he argued that argued he which in Biblical Motifs: Origins and Origins Motifs: Biblical , ed. Kevin J. Cathcart J. Kevin ed. , Targum 60 The A 11

CEU eTD Collection scriptural references in their argumentation. The second sign is that the same literary form is form literary same the that is sign second The argumentation. their in references scriptural same the use traditions two the of representatives the that is sign first The Scripture. Holy the of book shared a on polemics Jewish-Christian a of existence the to pointing signs four be can there that believe I Kessler, Edward of concept the Following other. the of statements the deny to desire a and awareness mutual of signs show traditions two the of interpretations the polemics Christian-Jewish whether examine two like would I traditions. two the of analysis continuous the needs usually extant an of discovery the concerned, is exegesis Testament the of texts of number a to interpretations Christian and Jewish and essential” new is juxtaposition their other, the or tradition one of scholars to well-known are section first this in presented traditions. two the of one only on focus the by lately superseded been has ages same the from traditions interpretative two the of comparison participant. one of view of point the from argumentation and arguments In In 66 from Anthologized Commentary 65 a with Rashi Sources andRabbinic Midrashic upon Based Translation Allegorical Scherman an Nosson Zlotowitz, haShirim, Meir and 2003), publisher, MI: Rapids, (Grand Jr. Norris A. Richard trans. 64 1869), 1-382. Masters, Littledale, Frederick Pope, See question. in verses the of aspects polemical the with deal rarely the of verses individual of understandings Christian and Jewish 63 successful. work my consider will I them, of number significant a or signs these show indeed are era analyzed the from commentaries Jewish and Christian the of majority the that show interrelation. Jewish-Christian of theme apparently controversial well-known, is or a interpretation considered the similar to introduced apparently topic the reach that is interpreters fourth The the conclusions. contradicting that is sign third The used. Edward Kessler, “The Exegetical Encounter between the Greek Church Fathers and the Palestinian Rabbis,” Palestinian the and Fathers Church Greek the between Encounter Exegetical “The Kessler, Edward Green, are examples recent few A relevant the collect to Pope and Littledale of effort amazing the importantly most examples, few a are There Studi Patristica My aim in this thesis is to give a continuous and parallel comparison and analysis of analysis and comparison parallel and continuous a give to is thesis this in aim My “Shekhinah, The Virgin Mary and the Song of and 2. Songs,” the Song Mary Virgin “Shekhinah, The XXXIV (Leuven: Peeters, 2001) 402-404. Peeters, XXXIV (Leuven: A Commentary on the Song of Songs from Ancient and Medieval Sources Medieval and Ancient from Songs of Song the on Commentary A The Song of Songs Interpreted by Early Christian and Medieval Commentators Medieval and Christian Early by Interpreted Songs of Song The 1.4. AIM AND METHODOLOGY 1.4. AIM (Brooklyn: Mesorah Publications, 1988). Publications, Mesorah (Brooklyn: 65 64 As Green said: “While many of the facts the of many “While said: Green As Song of Songs of Song The Song of Songs of Song The Song of Songs of Song , these renderings, however, only however, renderings, these , 63 The continuous The , 291-703, Richard 291-703, , . As far as Old as far As . (London: Joseph (London: 66 If I can I If Talmud ,

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CEU eTD Collection and elaborate story; moreover, it has been aptly studied by a great number of scholars. of number great a by studied aptly been has it moreover, story; elaborate and long a has traditions Christian and Jewish the between polemics This interrelations. Christian Jewish- of principles basic the in polemics the of result a is period this in commentaries and ofthe interpretation ofthe ofthe interpretation tradition polemical constant a of beginning the and interconnection strong a in resulted finally which traditions, Christian the and Jewish the between relationship the into difference a brought the of reading ecclesiological the of establishment firm the commentaries, few and Jewish the of interrelation a in discerned be only can connections this age to up While traditions. interpretative Christian the in development certain a mark traditions these that out point will I Furthermore, traditions. Jewish and Christian eighth-century to fifth- the in two the of interaction polemical proven. traditions the about statement my consider will I Furthermore, 37-38. 68 25-45. 2010) 67 at Church the of excellence the emphasized which Fathers Church the of writings the in arose concept a topic, the of the development the with With apparent. Jews are the Christians, the of of congregation consequently, and, new the with covenant old the of replacement contradictions, without not are Testament tradition. aspects. most recountimportant the only will but phases, and topics its of analysis detailed a into engage to want not do I Therefore, See Kurt Schubert, Schubert, Kurt See Kessler, Edward See The history of Christian polemics against the Jews is as old as the New Testament New the as old as is Jews the against polemics Christian of history The the to only related invention an not clearly, was, tendency polemical This depicted are interrelation their and characters the way the on focus will I thesis, my In 67 lhuh te rfrne n h eain t h eih rlgo n te New the in religion Jewish the to relation the and references the Although Christentum und Judentum im Wandel der Zeiten Zeiten der Wandel im Judentum und Christentum An Introduction to Jewish-Christian Relations Relations Jewish-Christian to Introduction An Song of Songs. In fact, I believe that the polemical nature ofcompilations nature thatpolemical the Ibelieve Infact, Song of SongsSong of 68 the claims of the Pauline tradition about the about tradition Pauline the of claims the . (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, University Cambridge (Cambridge: (Vienna: Böhlau Verlag, 2005), Verlag, Böhlau (Vienna: Song of Songs of Song

32-33, 13

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CEU eTD Collection described and envisaged in the two traditions based on the text of the the of text the on based traditions two the in envisaged and described are characters these how investigate to necessary is it characters, female the and male the to the referring congregation. as character female the whichregarded commentaries Christian and Jewish with deal will I chapter this In ones. Christian the of many and century, eleventh the to up commentaries Jewish all almost by followed identification the is This respectively). community, Jewish the and Church the (i.e., faithful the of congregation of the with character variety a however, character, female the identify to female was traditions both in possibility One time. over the arose for possibilities for As traditions. Christian and Jewish both in God with identified is character male The character. female a and male a between 73 Murphy, (See in and speaker form difference 72 and Christian prevent songs. not love did description and physical cultic apparently this Mesopotamian however, Seemingly, and Egyptian, parallels, Eastern Near ancient work his in times several shows Pope Marvin as – and appearance external her of description the from originate her to attributed epithets The character. female the of beauties SongsSong of the of chapters fifth the and fourth the on written commentaries of basis the male on the characters and female the about conceptions Christian and Jewish on focus will I chapter, Pope, Pope, the in chapter subsequent the and preceding the from visible clearly is four chapter of situation and topic The The Song of theSongs Song of The hpe oro h the of four Chapter between relationship the regarded traditions both how clearly understand to order In the introduction, my in forth put have I As . CHAPTER I. THE ALLEGORICAL COUPLE ALLEGORICAL THE I. CHAPTER , 462,472passim. I.I. THE FEMALE CHARACTER FEMALE THE I.I. Song of Songs of Song The Song of Songs Song of The is a distinct sequence of verses of sequence distinct a is Song of Songs of Song , 158). recounts the mutual love mutual the recounts Song of Songs of Song 72 praising the praising 73 – recall – . In this In . 15

CEU eTD Collection interpreters, thus, “parachute” elements into their commentaries which, by implication, also implication, by which, commentaries their into elements “parachute” thus, interpreters, Songs the of reading their only that respective reader the the tell also only commentaries these of community, characteristics are which elements invoking by Secondly, them. symbolizing indeed is text the of protagonist These female the that belief itself. community’s respective in the corroborate polemical explanations these Firstly, is time. same the interpretation at aims two of serve commentaries way this that believe I respective communities. their to relation in character the of attributes physical the explaining on focus traditions Christian and Jewish both that show to try will I Instead, commentaries. individual exclusively, almost character one about speaks chapter fourth the thesis, this in analyzed texts the of most with contrast in that, fact the to and text the of nature descriptive the to Due community. this to related are that events historical or community respective their of attributes internal the either reality. metaphysical entirely an into poem the of understanding the placing and interpretation literal a abandoning from interpreters Jewish Verlag, 1971) 26. 1971) Verlag, 75 (Murphy, its interpretation of of constant thehistory a 74 and Jewish the the between of connections structural parts thorough and “neutral” deep are seemingly there these commentaries in even that demonstrate to expect I polemic. Secondly, constant of elements averting the without communities, their and God between relation the of understandings Jewish and Christian the into insight an provide to is designed analysis this Firstly, commentaries. the of nature polemical the at directly point which polemics. indirect/implicated introduction as in whatIhavemy denoted exactly is strategy this believe I itself. interpretation other’s the and understanding of claim other’s the weaken sadLrt,Loretz, Oswald the of text the of interpretation the distancing of task The is correct. By inserting symbols that represent their excellence, the rabbis and Christian the rabbisand excellence, represent their that symbols inserting By correct. is I have two reasons for analyzing this part of the text as thoroughly as other parts other as thoroughly as text the of part this analyzing for reasons two have I tde u lhbäshnPei ,DsatericeLeele Liebeslied althebräische Das 1, Poesie althebräischen zur Studien 75 t wud b ifcl o pit t iety plmcl apcs o the of aspects polemical directly to point to difficult be would it The Song of Songs, Song of The 74 In their understanding, the poem describes poem the understanding, their In Song of Songs of Song 11 cf.). from a possible plain reading is itself is reading plain possible a from (Vluyn: Neukirchener (Vluyn: Song of Song 16

CEU eTD Collection verses of the chapter in the sixth to eighth centuries. The major concepts were, thus, that thus, were, concepts major The centuries. eighth to sixth the in chapter the of verses verse, first the Concerning says:Apponius actions. its and Church the of members the both emphasize face. and head character’s female serious of spite in reflect. interpreters different uponwhichthe the texts present among differences moreover, are, similarities These interpretations. Christian are in this case italicized.) case this in are texts base The of Songs. the Song of verse the respective oftext English editions the Douay-Rheims use I given, 79 78 77 Songs, Songof The are interpretations these show, 76 to try will I As experienced. have members its and/or Church the redemption the to relation in sermons their for stand lips scarlet The doctors. and preachers the Church, the of leaders the signify teeth the turn, In people. faithful simple, of numbers the great hair while represents the teachings, acts and ofthe its Churchis beauty The mentioned. part the to similar elements numerous of consisted Church the that fact the to due were or role Church’s the of component certain a represented head woman’s a of part every Cassiodorus, PL 70, 70, PL Cassiodorus, 19, CCSL Apponius, Exum, Cheryl J. of traditions textual Hebrew and Greek, Latin, the between differences the On These examples mark the major direction of Christian tradition regarding the first the regarding tradition Christian of direction major the mark examples These be to grasp. cannot people the that simple nutriment spiritual the into pieces break are Church the they – explained is that way certain a of in – For teeth. as described rightfully are doctors the teeth Church the of doctors holy the teeth, with food the grind we Since understood. by similarly, understood, be to is Church the of faithful the of multitude numerous the hair of curls by As washing the from up come have that ewes shorn of flock a like are teeth Your said: Cassiodorus two, verse Regarding ones. good do to and deeds evil from desist to are come which that beauty, of God…After adornments the true one the to deities base many of service the from converted been has she and away, stripped been have vices, the that all of ways the – alike body and soul say, to is of that flesh, the of ways the once Gentiles the of Church the – to belongs beauty twofold the praises Lord the Christ the of beauty the praises character male the chapter the of verses three first the In 78 Song of Songs, aCommentary Songs, Song of 457-550. Interpretatio Interpretatio Expositio in Canticum Canticorum, Canticorum, Canticum in Expositio 7:1-15; translation from from translation 7:1-15; 77 These parts of this description led Christian interpreters to interpreters Christian led description this of parts These (Louisville, KY:Knox John Press,2005) 155-156. (Louisville, 1072d-1073a. (Whenever my own translations are translations own my (Whenever 1072d-1073a. The Song of Songs, Song of The ed. Norris, 158. ed. Song of Songs of Song 76 4-5, see Pope, see 4-5, 79 .

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CEU eTD Collection description with the Jewish equivalents of those elements which are highlighted by Christian by highlighted are which elements those of equivalents Jewish the with description forofferings.The responsible Levites, the . the community, their the and sages the through praised is of overall people the of beauty the while Israel, of congregation numbers large the being as taken clearly are specifically, mentioned not although the verses, the as such compilations commentary into included or formulated were that concepts Jewish many to similar strikingly 82 23. 2003.) Clark, (London: T&T Alexander 81 80 uponit comments briefly: head. Isidore character’s female the of description the of end the marks verse third The verses. two first the of peculiarity community to God. ofthe members connect who clerics doves the the signify teeth community, the and guidance, its gains community the which from intellect the the represent represent hair of locks the traditions, both In commentators. On the Latin difference between the Latin and Hebrew version of Cant. 4:3 see Pope, Pope, see version 4:3 of and Cant. Latin Hebrew the between difference theLatin On see Targum the of concept the in Sanhedrin the of importance the On Targum scarlet, since the Church does not cease to preach about the divine blood, divine the about preach to cease not does Church to the compared are since bride the scarlet, of lips The truth. of doctrine the as understood is lovely is speech your and thread, scarlet a like are lips Your a not nevertheless, is, description the of elements the of understanding similar A hair, of locks the firstly, elements: following the to attention call to like would I by acquired was ormiscarried.’ ofthembarren was and time, none every them of none and twins Jabbok; bearing and other, the to one alike were them of All robbery. or violence brook the from up and come shorn were had they when pure, was sheep of flock Jacob’s as just robbery, or violence any from pure are which heave-offering, and tithe, flesh, holy the eat and offerings your up offer who Levites and Priests Gilead. the are Mount beautiful How on memorial a the made as and stones righteous gathered as who Jacob, are of people sons ordinary the and assembly your the of of rest members the even And dove. the of young the fledglings, like are who and Israel of House the of people the enlighten who Sanhedrin, the in sitting Sages the and Assembly the of leaders the are beautiful how and Israel, of Assembly A

Canticles, Canticles, bat qol bat Targum 4:1-2; translation from: translation 4:1-2; went forth from the heavens and thus, ‘How beautiful are you, are beautiful ‘How thus, and heavens the from forth went of Song ofSongs ofSong says: Canticles Rabba Canticles 81 Secondly, the teeth are understood as being the priests and priests the being as understood are teeth the Secondly, The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, Targum at roughly the same time. Regarding the first two first the Regarding time. same the roughly at seems to render motifs and elements ofthe and elements render motifs to seems ed. Alexander, 130-132 ed. Alexander, The Targum of Canticles, Canticles, of Targum The 80 . 82 Scarlet thread Scarlet The Song of Songs, Song of The ed. Philip S. Philip ed.

463. 18

CEU eTD Collection following commentary:following show. will examples two following the as tradition, Jewish in attested also is sins, from redemption their and pomegranatefaithful the of the numbers great of the denotes mention the that idea the concept, This Messiah. the by faithful the of redemption the to connected is excellence this that idea the expresses Isidore importantly, More members. of number great the of because especially Church, the of excellence the to revealing: is Venerable 88 87 86 85 84 83 nourishment; to connected often are similarity. perfect their emphasizing above: quoted See Lk. 11:27, Hos.66:10-11, 16,and 9:13, Lk.11:27, elsewhere. Is. See Pope, Cf. PL 91, Bede, 83, PL Isidore, Targum CanticlesTargum Rabba Canticles In verse five, chapter four, the male character praises the breasts of his loved one, loved his of breasts the praises character male the four, chapter five, verse In King, the to close were noiniquity. and in was whom righteous were who who magistrates and counselors the mention to not pomegranate, a as like precepts of full wool. was head, clean their was as who king white the And as them making and scarlet, of thread a like are which Israel, of sins the back turning were words his and Atonement, of Day the on Lord the before prayer in intercession making were Priest High the of lips The The with is seeds. a pomegranate as deeds ofreligious yourmidstfull as is in veil your behind pomegranate a of halves like are cheeks Your connected are three verse of contents the that is commentaries these of idea major The is is it when which But untouched. of is contents pomegranate are. (its content) innumerous becomeshow evident it to pieces, dismantled the the as pomegranate, long as a see called to impossible is it Therefore, seeds. of number great a contains pomegranate of slice one that neglected be to not is It the Bede of commentary the verse, the of part second the to relation in Meanwhile, of flame the sets onfire.charity preaching holy since or redeemed, was she which through The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The Targum In Cantica Canticorum Allegorica Expositio, Expositio, Allegorica Cantica Canticorum In Expositio in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis, Canticorum Expositio Canticum in , 4:3; translation from Neusner, from Neusner, translation , 4:3; 4:3; translation from: 4:3;from: translation of Canticles bears an even closer relevance to the Christian sources Christian the to relevance closer even an bears Canticles of 83 470. The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, 88 87 it is perhaps due to this overall phenomenon that both that phenomenon overall this to due perhaps is it In Biblical imagery elsewhere in the Scripture breasts Scripture the in elsewhere imagery Biblical In Song of Songs Rabbah II SongsSong of Rabbah 1133c-d. 1123b. ed. Alexander, 133. ed. Alexander, 86 , Canticles Rabba Canticles

28. . The emptiest The . 85 contains the contains 84

19

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Canticles Rabba Canticles of Moses shimmered not openly but through an image, now glows like the sun the like glows now image, an through but openly not shimmered Moses of the law Trinity,whichin him ofourLord. the Through the incarnation through Covenant New the in achieved is salvation human for prophetic about in come asserts will types Covenant Old the whatever to teach to – covenants two the of similarity and equality the these doctrine, their of that milk the so hearers…in their she-goat to present a to learn may breasts of as Church the offspring to themselves offer who twin people two breasts…like two says He the which from sources two the represent Aaron and Moses tradition Jewish In not was Moses Torah the of knowledge Moses than not greater was and Aaron Aaron, than greater in that same…so the were Aaron he learned andMoses, Moses so other, lord, the than larger our not is breast that one as Aaron…Just Torah to taught the all so sucks, and eats infant the eats woman a whatever as Just Torah. of full are Aaron and Moses so milk, of full are breasts woman’s a as Israel…Just of charm the are Aaron and Moses so charm, her are breasts woman’s a as Just Israel. of ornament the and glory the are Aaron and Moses so ornament, her and glory her are breasts woman’s fawns two like are breasts two Your , 4:5; translation from Neusner, from Neusner, translation , 4:5; Canticles Rabba Canticles Song of Songs Rabbah II SongsSong of Rabbah . . This refers to Moses and Aaron. Just as a as Just Aaron. and Moses to refers This Talmud contains the following explanation: the following contains cie httethe that idea ic ,

48. 89 Song of Songs of Song

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CEU eTD Collection by mentioning the Synagogue – also refers to the rivalry of Christianity with the Jews. with the Jews. ofChristianity rivalry to –alsorefers the the Synagogue by mentioning – but congregation, own their to directed simply not is – counterpart Jewish its with contrast in – parts two the of equality This parts. two the Midrashic of equality the the emphasize to they – similarly tradition structurally – and Church, the of origin twofold the of speak individual. the of parts outward and inward the to referring as fawns two the understood – did Nyssa of Gregory as – or picture, the of out Testament Old the leave have could idea same the express who interpreters Christian the of rest the and He commentary. merelonger no is explanation – Apponius’ interpretation Jewish any to compared – when that realize to important is It Testament. New the it, represents that scripture the on and God, of convent the in gentiles the of inclusion the on based is it hand, other the On Testament. Old the on based is tradition Christian hand, one the On Church. Christian the comprise that parts the in preserved 93 92 242-243. Brill,1960), (Leiden: 91 90 that is text the of part separate rather this on commentaries the including for reason My text. the of understandings previous their with accordance in verse this of meaning the explain beloved. his of praise bridegroom’s the to connected is day” “breathing the of stanza understandable hardly but ever-recurring the For a great variety of ideas see Othmar Keel, Othmar Keel, ideas see variety of great a For PL 91, Bede, Pope, 19, CCSL Apponius, The next verse of the chapter is somewhat problematic because it is not obvious how obvious not is it because problematic somewhat is chapter the of verse next The says, He breasts. two offaith. nourishment the long after who gentiles, the than and Jews the less nation, of or children two the more signify to breasts, have two therefore, to tend women the of none says he number, of addition an is there that vain in not is It ofBede: commentary forthis,the see a further example As that to similar view, my in is, Apponius of commentary the in conveyed idea The Moses through said God as Word, the of grace the by cosmos whole the of face the in The Song of Songs of Song The In Cantica Canticorum Allegorica Expositio, Expositio, Allegorica Cantica Canticorum In 90

Canticles Rabba Canticles Expositio Expositio 7 f Cf. 471 , 6:26-27; translation from translation 6:26-27; Gregorii Nysseni In Canticum Canticorum Canticum In Nysseni Gregorii . Apponius believes that the two breasts represent the two the represent breasts two the that believes Apponius . 93 Both Jewish and Christian authors made great efforts to efforts great made authors Christian and Jewish Both Das Hohelied Das Hohelied The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The 1133d-1134c. (Zürich: Theologischer Verlag, 1992), 140-142. 1992), Verlag, Theologischer (Zürich: 92 ed. Norris, 165. ed. Norris, two breasts two , ed. Hermann Langerbeck Hermann ed. , , since , 91 Still, they Still,

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CEU eTD Collection n, eagrtn i od vn frhr e fnly rahs a lvl wih i barely is which level a reaches finally forthe reader. understandable he further, even words his exaggerating and, desire. mutual their of story the rather but character, female the of beauty the of description simple a longer no most similarity: the whichshows of Alcuin century. the seventh-eighth from commentaries of ways their in similarity The understanding. striking a show again, commentaries, Christian and Jewish 98 97 96 95 94 character. female ofthe importance and limbs the how recounting ofthe a broader engagerecounting in rather but are excellent, character female ofthe beauties with deal longer no four chapter of part this to attached life. his part to in take she but invited is description, male’s the of subject the as addressed only not is character female the which in plot erotic an rather is lover, his of beauties and features the of inventory detailed a giving on focuses character Cf. Exum, Exum, Cf. Exum, 100, PL Alcuin, Pope, Targum The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The olwn h ecito f te bgnig o hpe or n wih te male the which in four, chapter of beginning the of description the Following is It level. further a on lover his praising continues bridegroom the eight verse From day eternal the when mortality present this of commences. shadows the pass we until fathers, holy the of examples sweetest the in is, Those that world. lilies, the among breed of who obstacles the all over pass love with run who those But the of author the of visions bleak The were spirits harmful and ofthe spices. incense ofthe the smell from fleeing demons malicious the All Moriah. Mount on built was that Temple the in dwelling was Lord the of Glory the of Shekhinah the because them, from fleeing were – noon at and morning, the in night, at walk that spirits harmful – demons malicious fathers, the righteous hands their their of in instrument holding were Israel of House the of people the as long So Song of Songs, Songs, Song of

Canticles Song of Songs Song of Compendium in Canticum Canticorum, in Canticorum, Canticum Compendium 4:6; translation from: 4:6;from: translation 97 96 Targum Canticles 168-169. Cf. Keel, 168-169. Keel, Cf. The male character recounts how the beauties of the bride grasped him grasped bride the of beauties the how recounts character male The

, 157. 472-473. The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, Das Hohelied contains the following translation: the contains Targum 95 , 145. The most palpable example it is perhaps that perhaps is it example most palpable The 651d-652a. seem to recur in a number of Christian of number a in recur to seem ed. Alexander, 136. ed. Alexander, 94 98 Consequently, the commentaries the Consequently,

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CEU eTD Collection into an argument of the final victory of the Church. A representative of this concept is concept this of representative Cassiodorus: A Church. the of victory final the of argument an into ofTheodoret: the tocommentary is be foundin concept ofthis example An text. the concerning notions rabbinic the of some and tradition Christian the of commentaries the between here comparison a draw to reasonable is It picture. the in other respective the involve which ideas of series a to way gave turn, in notion, This coming. is character female Christian and rabbis both that clear is – metaphysical the where to emphasize wanted commentators it point, this At come. to expected is character female the which from locations geographic of number a names character male the invitation, 101 100 99 eighth and seventh the from interpreters Christian of idea prevalent the exemplifies it Firstly, Keel, Keel, Cassiodorus, PL 70, PL Cassiodorus, 81, Cyrrhus, PG of Theodoret Das Hohelied I believe that Cassiodorus’ text contains two important implications for my analysis. my for implications important two contains text Cassiodorus’ that believe I the that mountains these to Christianity. convert princes will the when crowned, worldly is from Church is it fierceness…And of because panthers of those and pride, of because evil called are lions of souls understood…the be to are princes and kings say to is that powers, worldly mountains leopards… these Through the of live. panthers and lions mountains – say they – which in the Judea of mountains are Hermon from dens, lions’ the from Hermon, and Sanir of peak the from and Amana, of head the from crowned be – she when again… body her resurrection, up picks - general eternity dual of of dress the day with crowned the on rejoice to third her to calls second, he her, calls he then faith, body…and her from free already is through she when reward, heavenly best the accept him to come to he Or first, acts. her, and speech calls thoughts, in perfect be to he her wants thirdly, He And Come! also virtues… says: he in rewards, exceed to heavenly inspiration to inward chains, through her mundane urges of free is thethat draws one God When the virtues. soul, in exceed to is, that come, to her calls he But develops tradition Latin later that one the is Theodoret of idea the that possible is It people. simple-minded the by and orations their the and uneducated falsehood, and mislead their conceal speeches oftheir craft of number great the by – who gentiles, the wise of the men are leopards the while den, the of lion the Jews insane and reckless leopards the of mountains the from lions, the of dens the From his In companion. his calls character male the part, second this of beginning the At , 145-148. Expositio in Canticum Canticorum, Canticorum, Expositio Canticum in Interpretatio 100

138c 1076a. 99 – location lies from which the from lies location – u ai and Sanir but . He calls the calls He . You shall You 101

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CEU eTD Collection nations at the end ofdays: at the nations concept: forthe latter commentary exemplary an The Land. Holy the but days, of end the at approach will character days final the concerning concepts Jewish with accordance in – And the Jews. by the of signified truth the world revere finally the will who of mountains nations the is it tradition, rabbinical In characters. the of inversion an with course, of but, well as tradition Jewish in represented are others) respective in the Church. that truth embedded is respect the and turn – finally – will which powers evil worldly represent verse the of hills the that idea the presents it Secondly, world. heavenly the destination, final its at arrive to go must character century 106 105 Ages Yuval, Jacob 104 2005), 202-206. Literature, of Biblical Society (Atlanta: 103 102 savage the how ofIsrael. election realizethe explain sins their and repent endwill ofdays at the nations, They Cassiodorus. of commentary the in represented thoughts Israel see era Messianic the and heathens proselytizing between connection the concerning ideas further On Reeves, C. John Targum Rabba Canticles (Los Angeles: University of California Press,2006) 109-110. of University California (Los Angeles: Littledale, Littledale, n ter dsrpin h the description, their In leopards. are strongerthan which mountains, the of towns the from offerings and tribute, you bring shall lions, as mighty are which cities, fortified in dwell who Those gifts. you bring shall Hermon on are that nations the and Snow, of Mountain the of top the on dwell who inhabitants the Amana, River the by dwell who people the of heads The the While the Messiah. princes to like bring them to going are world the of nations the And Song. a say Taurus to going reach are back, they Munus, them brings Messiah the when , to return exiles the Amana of peak the from Depart the of repentance the and history, eschatological an in return (the ideas these of Both 102

Canticles that the three mountains of the text refer to three stages through which the female the which through stages three to refer text the of mountains three the that Two Nations in Your Womb, Perceptions of Jews and Christians in late Antiquity and the Middle the and Antiquity late in Christians and Jews of Perceptions Womb, Your in Nations Two , 4:8; translation from Neusner, from Neusner, translation , 4:8; The Song of Songs Songof The 4:8; translation from 4:8;from translation Trajectories in Near Eastern Apocalyptics. A Postrabbinic Jewish Apocalypse Reader Apocalypse Jewish Postrabbinic A Apocalyptics. Eastern Near in Trajectories agm atce Canticles Targum , 166-168. Targum The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, 103 otis mr iet eeec t h rmre of remorse the to reference direct more a contains i i o te evny igo ta h female the that kingdom heavenly the not is it – . Said R. Huna in the name of R. Justus, When Justus, R. of name the in Huna R. Said . 106 n h the and Song of Songs Rabbah II SongsSong of Rabbah 104 105 atce Rabba Canticles ed. Alexander, 138. ed. Alexander, ,

59. Canticles Rabba Canticles r nesos o the of inversions are contains

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CEU eTD Collection without its equivalent in Christian tradition. Bede the Venerable for example, writes: forexample, Venerable Bede the tradition. in Christian its equivalent without not is statement serious This nation. chosen his than God for important less as depicted are following: the as verse The other. respective the of that with status own their comparing for Songs of the of chapter first the from known already is that arises image an which in comparison a in engages he eyes,” her of “one with him charmed has character female the how recounts character male the After eleven. and ten verses in only comes again coincide material this of 112 111 110 109 108 107 the of sake the for aside left Gospels. be should laws Mosaic the Christ of advent the after that realized and will divine the of understanding Israel’s surpassed has it since Israel, than better is that well) as gentiles comprises (that Church the is it contrary, the On nations. the exceeds Reuther, “The “The Reuther, PL 91, Bede, 1:2. Cant. Schubert, Exum, Cf. Targum This commentary evokes the idea of the the of idea the evokes commentary This life.heavenly of kingdom the enter to manage did it cultivate who those of outstanding most the even not the as inasmuch perfection, to anyone of lead not did it For virtue law. Mosaic the surpass Gospels the of faith the of beginnings the words its wine than said: is it where song, same the of beginning the wine than beautiful more are breasts Your The fragrant spices.more their all than is ones righteous your of name good The nations! seventy the of that than love your is is me to who better much Israel, How bride! of chaste Assembly a to sister, compared My O love, your is Me to beautiful How interpretations Christian and Jewish where point subsequent the understanding, my In 112 .

107 Canticles Christentum undJudentum Song of Songs Song of This comparison was – apparently – regarded by both parties as an opportunity an as parties both by regarded – apparently – was comparison This Targum In Cantica Canticorum Allegorica Expositio, Expositio, Allegorica Cantica Canticorum In Adversos Judaeos 4:10; translation from: 4:10;from: translation . 110 ’s comparison is straightforward. The nations – the rest of the world the of rest the – nations The straightforward. is comparison ’s And it should be understood the same way here, so that through that so here, way same the understood be should it And 111 , 172. 108 Traditition,” 175-176, 184-185. 175-176, Traditition,” , 23-24. The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, Targum . This verse is already explained in explained already is verse This . 1140d. in a reverse order; it is not Israel that Israel not is it order; reverse a in For your breasts are better are breasts your For ed. Alexander, 139. ed. Alexander, Targum translates the translates

Song 109 25 –

CEU eTD Collection n o sprtl. Wie sm eih cmetre ean wt h oi f Israel’s of topic the excellence, with remain commentaries Jewish some While separately. go and divide commentators Christian and Jewish of interests the chapter fourth the of end the At way: clearest in the idea Isidore compilation, late possible a and – sources my Cassiodorus of writings of bulk the with contrast in – the is It literature. rabbinic in exists however, in idea, corresponding aspects various in recurs general writes: Alcuin ideas. similar to turn surprisingly commentaries Jewish and Christian many that find image,” metaphorical “dense of words with companion female his praise 121 120 119 London: 1983) Soncino, Maurice 118 117 335. 116 115 114 113 gounmentioned. them not let authorscould Christian that implications strong such had etc. “myrrh”, “fountain”, “water”, words the chapter fourth words. Jesus’ in Christianity of sources the and world the in faith Christian of spread the concerning Cf. Littledale, Littledale, Cf. Pope, particularly See in be italso found can of traces However, Stemberger, Strack, see Rabba Deuteronomium of dating the On Littledale, 83, PL Isidore, Exum, etrnmu Rabba Deuteronomium 120 As to the following verse of the the of verse following the to As man has to labour in them, but in the end he benefits bythem… benefits the end buthe in them, to has labour man first at Torah: the of words the are too so sweet, end the in but bitter first at is oil as Just forth. poured ointment an is name Thy said, is it For oil? to Whence in Scripture Holy the to refers verse the of honey flowing the that idea Alcuin’s holy exist letters. in the meanings who various surmise doctors, Bride o honeycomb, dripping a are lips Your The Song of Songs Song of The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of It seems that despite the apparent urge for polemical arguments throughout the throughout arguments polemical for urge apparent the despite that seems It 119 The Song of Songs, Songof The Christian interpreters from the sixth to eighth centuries turned toward ideas toward turned centuries eighth to sixth the from interpreters Christian The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The Expositio in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis, Canticorum Expositio Canticum in Exodus Rabba 173. , 490,492-3, 497-8. :; tasain fo from translation 7:3; 117 174-175. 134 20:5, 20:5, 191-192. . Targum Canticles Canticles Targum Canticles Rabba Canticles Song of Songs of Song 116 irs ab, Dueooy Deuteronomy, Rabba, Midrash the the 4:15, and4:15, Deuteronomium Rabba Deuteronomium 4:11. 121 … the lips of the spirit are the are spirit the of lips the … to returns character male the which in , 1124b. Leviticus Rabba Leviticus Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash and Talmud the to Introduction 9:6. 114 118 d . Feda, Simon Freedman, H. ed. , which explains the explains which 113 one again will again one

115 A 26 ,

CEU eTD Collection her and urging her to wake. After a moment of hesitation during which she complains of the of complains she which during hesitation of moment a After wake. to her urging and her to speaking beloved her of voice the hears suddenly she when asleep lying herself describes character. male ofthe attributes physical the theof description precedes characters meetingofthe ofthe the plot four,since here chapter in one the of reverse the is – concerned is structure its as far as – utterance This companion. her lead the taking – who five chapter in character female the is reflexive. in turn, understandingsare, how Iwill these show sub-chapter following the In like. looks character, male the text, the of protagonist other the what recounts it as five, chapter of beginning the from similarities in increase an again, is, there four, chapter of end 128 127 126 125 Songs, Song of The Murphy, Cf. commentators. Christian and rabbinical the of those matches it as interpretation plot-like a to keep 124 123 122 16). Jerusalem of daughters (5:7-8). lover her. rebuke and grasp city the of watchmen the him, find can she before but beloved, her for search to home her (5:2-6). absent beloved her find to door the opens she again, rising of difficulty Murphy, Murphy, Gordis, Exum, Murphy, to like would I dream, a of description a rather is three chapter of part present the that argues Murphy While Exum, see ofMurphy, five beginning chapter thespeaker atthe the identity of On 128 While there is a separation in the tendencies of the two commentary traditions at the at traditions commentary two the of tendencies the in separation a is there While The plot of chapter (5:2-16) can be summarized as follows: First the female character female the First follows: as summarized be can (5:2-16) chapter of plot The it four, chapter in beloved his concerning character male the of praises the Following Song of Songs, 186 Songs, Songof Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The Song of Songs, Song of The The Song of Songs Song of The Songs, Song of The 126 What follows is a discussion (5:8) in which – answering the question of the of question the answering – which in (5:8) discussion a is follows What 168-170. 197-201. 125 127 She then asks the daughters of Jerusalem to recount her love to her to love her recount to Jerusalem of daughters the asks then She . , 168. 89. – the female character describes the beauties of her beloved. (5:9- beloved. her of beauties the describes character female the – 171. I.II. THE MALE CHARACTER THE I.II. 123 122 – commences a speech about speech a commences – The Song of Songs, Songof The 124 168-169. She leaves She 27

CEU eTD Collection the male character by the Christian and Jewish interpretative traditions. interpretative and Jewish bythe Christian character male the of description the to bought were which interpretations the upon reflect will I analysis, my of part second the In beauties. character’s male the of taxonomy a is elaborate, will I which on thorough a in aspect, second the and engage chapter the of half second The not chapter. the of part first the will of analysis I – plot this interpreting of Christians and Jews of ways the of five chapter of set-up historical the by offered possibilities the with deal will I chapter present the of part of first the plot In best. the the five chapter suits period historical which decide to was traditions both of interpreters the for question real only The history. in period certain a to story the of plot the relate to obliged felt traditions both characters, female the and male the between relationship the recounted a narrative. as interpreters and Christian byboth Jewish was, seen thus, five chapter of half This lover. her for search desperate character’s female the of story the as plot, a as seen was part first The parts. two into five chapter of text the separated interpreters four, chapter to Similarly highlight. to important are five chapter of aspects two interpretations, 130 129 a allows exegete any saying”), knocketh, that beloved my of voice the is it waketh: heart my but sleep, (“I awake is counterpart male her while sleeping by flawed being of phase certain on?” it put I shall how coat; my off put have I waketh… heart my but sleep, (“I her to sluggishness of sort any ascribing by deal the that conviction the great a risked interpreters the that seen be should it character, female the is with text the of speaker line in Firstly, here. tackle to interpreters the for problems two were there believe I important. crucially was eight to two verses of problems the with dealt they how interpretations, of struggle a in – demonstrate to trying am I as – indeed were Cant. 5:1-2. Cant. Pope, Cf. In chapter five the stake of exegesis is high. If both rabbis and Christian interpreters Christian and rabbis both If high. is exegesis of stake the five chapter In Jewish and Christian medieval early and late-antique concerning analysis my for As The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The 513-4. 130 ). Secondly, admitting that the female character is in a in is character female the that admitting Secondly, ). Song of Songs of Song , but – due to the separate the to due – but , 129 Since this story Since 28

CEU eTD Collection an indication that God had forsaken the Jews in his new covenant with the Church. The Church. the with covenant new his in Jews the forsaken had God that indication an Targum the of authors the Israel, of past long-gone the to character female the abandoning character male the of situation the transferring By concerns. the these exactly reflecting that are five, chapter believe I Christian. any with of setting historical the concerning tradition dispute Jewish the in encounters one that interpretations no be could there which in narrative historical a choose to had they concerns, such for open eye an had rabbis the if say, to is That – irrelevant. definition – by become would counter-argument Christian any of threat the when God). about concept (the departed Jewish never has that God a or (Christ) arrived already has that messiah a represents text the of character male the whether question the debate, their of questions ultimate the of one regarding argument counter- solid a propose could other respective the which in situation historical a of image the invoking escape to efforts thorough make to had interpreters Christian and rabbis both restrictions, such of grip the In counter-argument. a pose to rival her or his for possibility 133 132 131 God, for cry and repent would congregation exile, into sent was and sinned Israel if Even religion. Jewish Targum

Targum CanticlesTargum CanticlesTargum CanticlesTargum As a consequence, rabbis had to relate the historical situation of the text to a period a to text the of situation historical the relate to had rabbis consequence, a As The The of yourdeeds. perfection said:the in dove the to compared thus are who Israel, of Assembly Love, and My spoke Worlds, the the all from of Sister,My Me, to and praise prayer in mouths open your repentance: in Return them Lord The rousing hearts. was was their Spirit and of Holy slumber prophets, the the of voice through the them But admonishing slumber. his from roused be cannot he and Babylon, of who asleep, man a like king were they exile their in and exile, into Nebuchadnezzar off them carried of hand the into over Lord the them and sinned, gave Israel of House the of people the things these all After ’s interpretation is as follows: as is interpretation ’s could deprive their Christian contemporaries of the chance to interpret the chapter as chapter the interpret to chance the of contemporaries Christian their deprive could Targum , , 5:3-4. , 5:2;from translation 5:5. ’s understanding is clearly put into an age when there was no rival for the for rival no was there when age an into put clearly is understanding ’s 131 The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, 133 God would finally return to them. After he After them. to return finally would God ed. Alexander, 147-148. ed. Alexander, 132 where members of the of members where

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CEU eTD Collection to be a future age, when the rivalry with the Jewish religion would have finally been finally have would religion Jewish the resolved. with rivalry the when age, future a be to seemed ages middle early and antiquity late the of interpreters Christian the for solution only The place to had support. find longer no they could arguments Jewish which in plot, era an into situation the interpretative of understanding their against argumentation Jewish nation. was chosen Church his to the returned that who God, reply by the abandoned inserting rabbis the risked have would they undecided, yet was rivalry Jewish-Christian of fate the when period historical a in five chapter of plot the interpreted exegetes Christian if rabbis, the of concern the Jewish to Similarly counter-argument. possible a from escape similar a needed they felt have may interpreters Christian by the evidenced as them, forgives he captivity, in God its of description desperate Israel’s to listens 137 Judaeos 136 135 134 follows: as five chapter ntecneto h ia eeto uas yCrsint nteftr e ete,“h “The Reuther, see future 70, PL Cassiodorus, the in Christianity by Judaism of defeat final the of concept the On Schubert, Cf. Targum CanticlesTargum Targum Traditition,” 180-182. Traditition,” beloved. I opened the door to my beloved… But my beloved had withdrawn had beloved my But beloved… my to door the opened I beloved. to my Iopened discernment… understood, in fingersthe are to be works hands the In myrrh. smelling sweet with fingers my and myrrh, with dropped hands beloved my to open to up rose I of understanding the continues Cassiodorus, of interpretation the with line in Isidore, my of to love Church the the ofpreaching. struggle her to the and encourages work incites again, of Bridegroom, the peace struggle, and the labor of to time the stick to rather but me resting, of time the not is this for since But leave… to than bridegroom secure more is it Since (suffered). Church early the that pressures the by even sleep, I past, long-gone the into five chapter of plot the placed commentaries rabbinic While outexile. from Hethem their brought Jews, the of elders the and people, Zerubbabel, Nehemiah, His , Cyrus, to of hand respite the at gave and, He and Sages, the of Sanhedrin the to Babylon, to down went He favor. with prayer their received World the of Sovereign The 136 Cassiodorus says: Cassiodorus Christentum undJudentum ’s reference: since I am resting in the peace given by my bridegroom, not distressed not bridegroom, my by given peace the in resting am I since , 6:2; translation from , 6:2;from translation Expositio in Canticum Canticorum Expositio Canticum in The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, , 49-50. . That is, to preach the words of God. God. of words the preach to is, That . , 1081d.[whose italics], 1081d.[whose 134 ed. Alexander, 164. ed. Alexander, 135 In order to evade this possible this evade to order In 137 But my heart waketh. heart my But And my And Adversos

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CEU eTD Collection verse in the following line: the following in verse further to nine ofthis excellence. concept the support verse use traditions both that however, noteworthy, is It God. of concept their of of excellence the freedom for claims great their underline enjoyed further to they used they which other interpretation, respective the by questioned be longer no could legitimatization where periods historical into understandings their distanced era analyzed ChurchFathers. fromofthe the understanding in different a place way take will they that or place take not will events these that argue can one no that so times) in messianic even level indirect an (at future, the in five chapter of plot the place to endeavor an as 142 I, Translation 141 CE. century thethird the end to of thecollection which dates 278-9, 140 139 138 present essay, the from translation 3; Shirata, Ishmael, deRabi Mekhilta of dating the On Littledale, 83, PL Isidore, Canticles Rabba Canticles An early rabbinic collection, rabbinic early An The nations of the world say to Israel, ‘What is your beloved more than more beloved more your other patrons?’ than patron That is divinities? other ‘What than more Israel, God is to What beloved? say another world the of nations The women?’ among fairest o beloved, another than more beloved your is ‘What in analyzed period the to closer chronologically but understanding, this with line In more beloved your beloved’ another than is ‘What them, to saying Israel, ask world the of nations the Thus being. into world the brought and spoke who One the of praises and prophecies the proclaim shall I world the of nations the ‘Before says, Aqiba R. the of fathers church the and rabbis the both chapter the of part first the in Since contemporaries) his (and Isidore of words the that believe I the future in and seen enjoyed better be much will he is, That departed. be to said is beloved the Therefore, future. the in as life, this in God of vision full the allowed is nobody Since gone. was and himself, The Song of Songs, Songs, Songof The trans. Jacob Neusner (Atlanta, Georgia: Scholars Press,1988) 190. Scholars (Atlanta, Georgia: Jacob Neusner trans. Expositio in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis Canticorum Expositio Canticum in , 5:9; translation from Neusner, from Neusner, translation , 5:9; Mekhilta deRabi Ishmael Ishmael deRabi Mekhilta Canticles Rabba Canticles 142 226-228 141 explains the meaning of verse nine thus: the ofverse meaning explains . 140 see Strack, Stemberger, Stemberger, Strack, see

Mekhilta deRabi Ishmael Ishmael deRabi Mekhilta Song of Songs Rabbah II SongsSong of Rabbah Mekhilta According to Rabbi to According Mekhilta , 1125d-1126a. . 138 Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash, and Talmud the to Introduction , 108. explains the context of the of context the explains 139 can only be understood be only can , , An Analytical An

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CEU eTD Collection Jewish interpreters listed elements that highlight only characteristics of their own religions. own oftheir highlightonly characteristics that elements listed interpreters Jewish the and Christian the both strangely, attributes, and merits God’s Old about tradition used Testament widely otherwise and well-organized a upon leaned have could traditions both While God. of concept own their only of characteristics were which elements highlight to desperately tried traditions both which in ways the to verse. attention reader’s the call will I Instead, by verse them list not will I character, female the about commentaries the in were they as traditions commentary two the in related closely as are tradition Jewish and Christian in elements these that think not do I Since beloved. her of beauties the about question the to answer long character’s female the in mentioned beauty of signs the of commentary detailed character. male ofthe aspects the Christological with tradition dealt Latin godhead, the of mysteries the on focused tradition Greek earlier, the While verse. the of understanding rabbinical the of recognition the even or polemics a of sign much not is of the and the Early Rabbinic Guild,” in in Guild,” Rabbinic Early the and Bible Hebrew the of 146 145 144 143 Israel. of God the of identity the of corroborations as serve also believe, I elements, These seven. to two verses with connection in established situation historical the to verse the of meaning On the importance of the rabbinic canon in Judaism see Jack N. Lightstone, “The Rabbi’s Bible: The Canon The Bible: Rabbi’s “The Lightstone, N. Jack see Judaism in canon rabbinic the of importance the On PL Cassiodorus, 70, e.g., Cf. of 81, Cyrrhus, Theodoret PG e.g., Cf. Targum 146 By adding these elements to the translation of verse ten, the the ten, verse of translation the to elements these adding By the on people His to these day.”great publish will He and on long: fire day all like meanings new shines face whose of glory discloses He which with reasoning and wisdom the of the greatness the of account the of of Orders radiance Six the the in and engages , night by and Writings, the and Prophets, the of words the Torah, the Books, Four Twenty the in engages snow, as white robe a in day by wrapped who, God that worship to is pleasure “My said: she thus and World, the of Sovereign the of praise in speak to began Israel Then Targum a in engaged rabbis and Fathers Church the both chapter, the of rest the for As there Here, different. is era the of Fathers Church among understanding prevalent The Following a question about God’s identity and (as a consequence) his character, the character, his consequence) a (as and identity God’s about question a Following Canticles, 5:10; translation from translation 5:10; Canticles, translates verse ten the following ten way: the verse translates 145 Expositio in Canticum Canticorum, Canticum in Expositio Interpretatio, Interpretatio, The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The The Canon Debate Canon The 155a-b. 1084c-1085a ed. Alexander, 155-156. ed. , ed. Lee Martin McDonald, James A. James McDonald, Martin Lee ed. , Targum 144 not only suits the suits only not 143

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CEU eTD Collection force. This concept is even more clearly represented in the commentary on verse fourteen: commentaryonverse in the represented more clearly even is This concept force. in still are laws Mosaic the covenant, new a to claim its and Christianity of advent the despite water”) of (“springs Torah the to according direction right the in Israel guide who Sanhedrin the of members as beloved the of Christianity. of advent the after religion Jewish of continuity the represent also implicitly they but religiosity, of signs regular only not are elements these that however, noted, be to has It general. in tradition Jewish of elements represent beloved explanation: the adds following Rabbah Canticles the twelve eleven- verses To tradition. midrashic the in palpable also is tendency This stems. Halakhah, the Judaism, of routine everyday the which from Mishnah, the – necessarily – and Canon Targum 151 150 149 148 147 2002), Hendrickson, 165-166. MA: (Peabody, Sanders God: about description the of text revealing nations. the among held they stance special the and God to relation their of conception Judaism’s rabbinical of worldview the of bases Stern, Stern, in “Introduction,” See Stern, Sacha Canticles Rabba Canticles Canticles Rabba Canticles Hs am r one od’ Ti ees t h alt f the of tablets the the of mention to the all, in All refers This with gold:’ Torah…‘set the of to the This refers jewels:’ words rounded the to refers this are gold:’ covenant…‘rounded arms ‘His her of praise character’s female the of elements the that is midrash the of concept The Torah. ofthe [sic] Onfulness the set:’ milk…‘fitly as spotless as them make they until with teeth their clean people which laws, the to refers This milk:’ in Torah…‘bathed the of water the strengthened…by are Israelites) (the For water:’ of springs ‘Beside congregation…’ the of eyes the to refers This gold’ the is which Sanhedrin, finest the to refers this – eyes” the Torah…‘His the of teachings Torah…‘Is the to refers This head’ ‘His Jewish Ιdentity Ιdentity Jewish lists the most important elements which comprise Judaic-rabbinic belief: the Jewish the belief: Judaic-rabbinic comprise which elements important most the lists Jewish Identity in Early Rabbinic Writings Rabbinic Early in Identity Jewish h: 5:14; translation from Neusner, translation 5:14; h: h , 5:11-12; translation from Neusner, from translation , 5:11-12; 200-204. The Targum of Targum The Canticles Targum n te sm ffenh es f te fml character’s female the of verse (fifteenth) same the on Talmud 149 the midrash perhaps also tries to convey the idea that idea the convey to tries also perhaps midrash the Torah . 150 , ed. Philip S. Alexander (New York: T&T Clark, 2003), Clark, 22. T&T Alexander (NewYork: , ed.S. Philip , the the , 151 Song of Songs Rabbah Songs Song of As a keystone to this point, let me quote the quote me let point, this to keystone a As Song of SongsSong of Rabbah (Leiden: Brill, 1994) 73-76. Brill,1994) (Leiden: Mishnah 147 , and the the and , 148 , By understanding the “eyes” the understanding By II, II, , 120, 121. II, Talmud 117. encapsulates the encapsulates

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CEU eTD Collection God by saying that Christ is the only way through which humankind can strive toward God. I God. toward strive can humankind which through way only the is Christ that saying by God ten, verse of says:Alcuin meaning the On Christ. God, of concept own their to refer only would that way in a of God beauties the praised and identified also who authors, Christian century eighth future. in the be destroyed will interpretation, rabbinical their and laws the to pursuant act to fail which turn, in world, the of nations The God. by it to given laws the with accordance in are acts its because exactly God 154 153 152 twelve: the in salvation. included of history been have nations the which by passion, Christ’s to points Alcuin does, tradition rabbinic the as Torah, a the of importance with the highlighting of only Instead focus. different tradition, rabbinical the as meaning same the convey words his that believe Reuther, “The “The Reuther, 100, PL Alcuin, Targum CanticlesTargum grace. grace. divine of because waters of rivers to and simplicity their of because doves to waters. of rivers compared rightfully are the They right. is what sees Church by the whom by doctors, doves of eyes the as are eyes His of description character’s female the on commentary his commences Alcuin Thus, humans. thousand ten among sinless. is ruddy he because and white is beloved My to sixth of commentaries the to compared rightfully are interpretations these believe I the of message The against cedars. andas strong sturdy a young Word,man, like His transgress that nations the on war victorious wage will He future the in And snow. as white as Israel of House the of sins the makes He and elder, an like them, toward mercy with filled is He will. do His to Israel of House the of people the admonishing study, they which Torah, the of words the is, that gold, fine of sockets upon set world, the of pillars the are ones righteous His Washed with milk, and living by satiating waters… The erudition of the of erudition The waters… satiating by living and milk, with Washed Adversos Judaeos 153 Compendium in Canticum Canticorum, in Canticorum, Canticum Compendium , 5:15; translation from , 5:15;from translation

154 This concept is further evidenced in Isidore’s interpretation of verse of interpretation Isidore’s in evidenced further is concept This Targum , because he is the only intermediary between God and God between intermediary only the is he because , Traditition,” 175-6. Traditition,” Ruddy could not be any clearer. Israel maintains its election with its election maintains Israel clearer. any be not could The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, eas ftebodo h aso.passion. the of blood the of because ,

h heet aog tn thousand ten among chiefest the 655d. ed. Alexander, 161-162. ed. Alexander, 152 His eyes are the are eyes His Chiefest . White ,

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CEU eTD Collection in which the legs are identified with the righteous of the nation of Israel. Although one will one Although Israel. of nation the of righteous the with identified are legs the which in concept rabbinical the to comparable directly is again, idea, This Christ. of faith the dispersed who those apostles, the are relies God which upon legs strong The Cassiodorus. and Isidore, of Cyril in echoed idea same the finds fifteen: onverse commentary Alexandria’s One statement. polemical a itself in is which compilations, its and law oral the of concept rabbinic the for it Testament New Secondly, the substitutes verses. same the of understanding rabbinic the to similar firstly, is, concept This Testaments. New the and Old the principles: two by it guide who Church the of doctors 157 ontheScripture, Commentaries 156 155 which description, the on commentary his of beginning the at emphasized he which point the words: clear with presented far so concept the corroborates five chapter of verse final the on commentary the of those to corresponding words harsh find not Alcuin, PL 100, PL Alcuin, 69, PG Alexandria, of Cyrill 83, PL Isidore, like. He is God in the majesty of the father, and human in the virginity of the of virginity the in human and father, Redeemer. is one second he in the one heCreator, is Inthe first mother. the of majesty the and in observe God angels is the He whom like. man, perfect and God perfect is he since lovely, lovely. altogether is he Yea, In his final words about the chapter, Alcuin once more calls the reader’s attention to attention reader’s the calls more once Alcuin chapter, the about words final his In to focus final a adds Cyril this, With sustaining church… supporting thebodyof common and consistency, and stability their of account on surely pillar, a them calls also Paul for marble, are they And foundation. their as name, golden a called by Christ, had who example, for church, the of pillars are John and aptly Peter He prophets. and apostles bases upon set is marble that the says who belly, the after whoever legs the of praises for foundation foundations, the upon clearly so are does These builds marble. of pillars are legs His the are God of eyes The statement. one into down picture whole the boils Isidore ofthedoctrines gospel’s completion the signify waters satiating while waters, of rivers by understood be to is law old Expositio in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis Canticorum Expositio Canticum in Compendium in Canticum Canticorum, in Canticorum, Canticum Compendium ed. Wright,350. Fragmenta in Cantica Canticorum Canticorum Cantica in Fragmenta What more do you search for? He is altogether is He for? search you do more What 155 the concept presented similarly by Alcuin, by similarly presented concept the 657a. Targum , 1126c. 156 1290 at the end of the verse, Alcuin’s verse, the of end the at ; ; rnlto rmfrom translation 157 of gold. of Ancient Christian Ancient

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CEU eTD Collection ecclesiological reading became prevalent in Christian tradition. in Christian prevalent became reading ecclesiological the time the by acquired had Songs of Song the of interpretation the role the on light shed tendencies These other. the of concept the deny would time, same the at and, God of picture their fit would it that way a in five chapter of part second the interpret to tried traditions both two the between mediating realms. of capable, one only the is dimension. he human and the capable, in is partakes he Therefore, also he but realm, divine the to belongs He worlds. well. as interpreters Christian other by highlighted similarly was 158 Littledale, Littledale, The Christian interpretations are structurally similar to the Jewish ones. It seems that seems It ones. Jewish the to similar structurally are interpretations Christian The The Song of Songs Song of The , 261-262. 158 Christ stems from two from stems Christ 36

CEU eTD Collection a vivid spring imagery, a scenery of rejuvenation, rebirth and all that come with it. One it. with come that all and rebirth rejuvenation, of scenery a imagery, spring vivid a of feeling this to Additional excitement. is of there chapter, second the in lovers the of approach mutual the of plot the to and excitement air this by touched were Songs of Song ever an the loversmeet. two three, with fourofchapter in finally, verse until, tension, growing increases feeling This two. chapter of of verses topic the governs the which therefore, separation is, It separated. are they However, feelings. their manage barely interpreters, its to apparent was it as and chapter the of middle the from apparent is As chapter. second the in recounted – imagery spring the with side by side – is that lovers the of approach mutual the from results mood springtime in plants of blossoming tension. robust 162 161 160 159 ofDavid. Son or the Christ it be Messiah, the of importance and figure the with dealing indeed are two chapter of almost was two chapter commentaries analyzed the of that find will one observation, this with accordance In inevitable. interpretation the during expectation and hope messianic of sort some of inclusion the traditions both in that surprise no is it together, elements these with identified is all Seeing Israel. character of Church/Congregation the signifies male character female the and the Christ/God which in traditions interpretative Christian and Jewish of concepts allegorical those two chapter of aspects and feelings these to add should איכה CHAPTER II. THE SPEECHES OF THE ALLEGORICAL CHARACTERS ALLEGORICAL OF THE SPEECHES THE II. CHAPTER Murphy, Murphy, Littledale, Echa) Rut, haSirim, Sir Megilot haTana’ch Olam (Enciclopedia Exum, See ,

ed Yickah Navon (Jerusalem: Revivim, 1987) 35-36. Revivim, Navon Yickah (Jerusalem: ed Similarly to modern readers, rabbis, and Church fathers, medieval interpreters of the of interpreters medieval fathers, Church and rabbis, readers, modern to Similarly with imbued is part second its particularly Songs, of Song the of chapter second The The Song of Songs, Song of The The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The Song of Songs,Song of 159 Besides the vivid imagery depicting young animals and the revival and revival the and animals young depicting imagery vivid the Besides 123. 146. 84-85. 160 161 the reader encounters a heavy air of excitement. This excitement. of air heavy a encounters reader the these lovers desire each other so much that they can they that much so other each desire lovers these , , רות, השירים, שיר מגילות התנ''ך עולם אנציקלופדיה עולם התנ''ך מגילות שיר השירים, רות, 162 37

CEU eTD Collection datur concept.) Jewish the basically is (which time first the for manifest be to has still has that one or understanding) Christian the with accordance (in once appeared already religions. Christian the or Jewish the of message theological the of validity the be well might interpretation of stake the where literature, Biblical shared a of case in especially clarification, immediate needs that question important and straight a is messiah the of question The hesitation. for place further no remained there messiah, the of topic the of inclusion the with However, insurmountable. not was understanding Christian the and Jewish the between difference the that believed have might reader the one, chapter of interpretation the in point certain a to Up text. the in protagonists the of identification the understanding plain a from resulting diversion the from far reader the keeps it that so text the of parts certain to understanding narrativist rather or historical a establish to way good a certainly was it While problems. of set own its raises also but unfulfilment, their and desires the between tension apparent the to solution a only ulmtrt ealwds uha ohl hsbo nhshns Oie,GS3,33, 165 GCS (Origen, hands. his in book 164 this hold to as Canticorum Canticumm much so allowed be maturity attained not has full who one no that taken is care Jews the among that say they For it. in said things the and book this of entirelythereading renounce to material nature of our thesolicitations withdrawn not from andblood has and flesh the who of vexations Origen, the of of rid yet words not is who the everyone advise quote and admonish me I then, let reason, this works, For says: their during felt interpreters the threat a great how – rather or (Pope, century. sixth the until up strong remained – Mopsuesta of Theodore of efforts the to due perhaps – and interpretation of history the of beginning 163 arrival.” as messianic hence to “the denote Iam going which ofthis concept, implications the and implementation the with deal will I chapter, present the In other. each contradict to start irreversibly and finally understandings two the where Songs of Song the of interpretation of See Yuval, See Chazan, See the from strong was Songs of Song the of reading secular-plain possiby a by posed threat the believe I . It can be rightfully said, therefore, that this insertion of a messianic figure is the point the is figure messianic a of insertion this that therefore, said, rightfully be can It not is before, noted as however, chapter, second the of plot the of understanding This Two Nations, Nations, Two Fashioning Jewish Identity, Fashioning Identity, Jewish ; Translation from from Translation ; 33-36. The Song of Songs, Songs, of Song The The Song of Songs, Song of The 181-182. 163 119-120.) Just to show how great this threat was – was threat this great how show to Just 119-120.) ed it also finalized the concepts concerning concepts the finalized also it . Norris, 2.) 164 Is it a messiah who has who messiah a it Is 165 Commentarium in Commentarium

Tertium non Tertium 38

CEU eTD Collection of their understanding. The first, neutral tradition is upheld in the upheld is in tradition first, neutral The understanding. of their antagonist the to reference clear a inserting even words, harsh in scene the explains tradition rabbinic the of part other The setting. historical a into scene the with relocating merely neutrality, description the treats tradition this of part One verse. the of meaning the treating of ways separate two have commentaries rabbinic that find will one neutral, seems description the sub-chapter). subsequent in analyzed is two ofchapter part character, male the of arrival the of story the encounter may reader the eight-nine verse In clearer. again is picture the point this Fromlover. the of invocation desperate her is conclusion the which to lover, the with meeting description chaotic somewhat a commences character female the this, Following tree. apple an to lover her compares and lead the takes companion her than field, the of flower excellent most the as beloved her describing is character male the first speech, this In 171 170 169 (Murphy, dream 168 167 166 Exum, or fantasy character’s female the than else nothing is scene whole the that idea the applied Murphy which To Murphy, Exum, Canticles Rabba, Canticles Targum and say before him a new song. a new say him and before the in lily a like forth blossom shall I kingdoms, the of downtrodden shadow the from me redeems and be blessed One, hidden Holy the when was tomorrow, But kingdoms. who the of shadow one the am nations…I seventy the thanam more loved He, beblessed One, Holy the whom one the I am I beloved. and one, the am I Israel, of Community the Said Sharon, of rose a am I The the in is that rose the as ofEden. Garden ofthe plain fair as are deeds my and Eden, of Garden the from narcissus fresh a Histo compared be may causes I me of midst World the in dwell to the Shekhinah of Master the When says: Israel of Congregation The self character’s female the two chapter of beginning the at that fact the Despite characters. male and female the between discussion short a with begins two Chapter Song of Songs, Song of Songs, Song of Canticles 2:1; translation from translation 2:1; Canticles The Song of Songs Songof The Canticles Rabba, Canticles II.I. THE SPEECH OF THE FEMALE CHARACTER THE FEMALE OF SPEECH THE II.I. The Song of Songs, Song of The 2:1; translation from translation 2:1; 126. 113-4. , 136. however, contains a more polemic commentary: commentary: more polemic a contains however, 137.) Song of Songs Rabbah, Songs Song of The Targum of Canticles of Targum The 170 169

which leads to his answer to his beloved’s plea (this plea beloved’s his to answer his to leads which 171 ed. Neusner,147-148. ed. , ed. Alexander, 96. , ed. Targum’ s translation: translation: s

He, 168

of her of 39 167 166

CEU eTD Collection Canticles’ Canticles’ the in presented was that one the reverberate to seem era this from interpretations Christian Instead, century. sixth-seventh the of commentaries Christian among Midrash the of that to similar understandings find not will one hand, one the On flower. solitary the of picture the treating of way their to according circumstances. flowerindark perhaps dangerous, of a circles, Jewish in text the of explanation accepted the both that apparent also is it However, Israel. of excellence the to reference literary a as similarly 176 175 174 173 172 comment. without wording the leave and passage the of meaning structural the with deal easily could – differences significant showed version. Hebrew the in be to seemed it as self-explanatory, not was version Greek the in verse the of mood the that imply to seems fact This “valleys”. and “lily”, “flower”, “field”, terms the by understood be to is established an with well exactly forexplainingwhat a need felt apparently the Origen verse. ofunderstanding tradition in fit commentary His verse. this in attested are that terms the of explanation detailed a for need the feel to commentator Christian only the not was Origen Cf. Exum, Exum, Cf. Pope, Origen, 7:19 Hebr. Cf. Marvin Pope, See progress from the status of a blossom and achieve the perfection of bearing of perfection the Gentiles. vale in ofthe lily the a he became that it So was fruit, achieve and blossom a of status the from progress perfection to one no brings law the since but people; that of midst the in flower set a was then Bridegroom are we This Gentiles. the of reason, place untilled and rocky the hollows by but this Prophets, the For untilled. and Law the by tended and was that people the rocky field by understanding in are justified that hollows places while to cultivate, and rather tend refer farmers that land flat to refers field Now distributed be also can commentaries Christian tradition, rabbinic the to Similarly text the take to seem different, somewhat although explanations, rabbinic two The The Song of Songs Song of The Commentarium 3– Commentarium agmTargum understanding in earlier Christian tradition. Origen writes: tradition. Origen Christian in earlier understanding Song of Songs Song of The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The n h the and , , 113-114. 367. translation from translation Canticles Rabba Canticles 175 Targum. The Jewish exegetes – even though their understandings their though even – exegetes Jewish The 93-95. 173 , the Word of God was unable in that setting to setting that in unable was God of Word the , The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The On the other hand, there are comparisons to the to comparisons are there hand, other the On 176 , which offer the best known and most widely most and known best the offer which , While, as the commentary of Nilus of Ancyra of Nilus of commentary the as While, 172 are primarily concerned with the picture the with concerned primarily are ed. Norris, 91. ed. Norris, 174

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CEU eTD Collection proclaimed excellence can be traced. The harsh explanation of Origen and Nilus is not is Nilus and Isidore says: understanding, Exemplifying this anymore. prevalent Origen of explanation harsh The traced. be can excellence proclaimed byOrigen: commenced tradition too-mild not a to evidence further gives also Nilus of commentary the explanation, for need Christian the corroborating Besides verse. the of concepts basic the an of explanation with readers their provide to necessary it felt interpreters Christian evidences, further 179 178 177 certain at speaking is characters two these of which obvious, not is it different text, the the of from versions However, speaker. female a and male a characters, two of discussion time. ofhis interpretations the that fact the to the of interpretation the excluded text its of author the that fact the and the of rendering The centuries. sixth-seventh the of understanding western the to than verse the understanding of convention interpretative Christian early the Isidorus, PL 83, Isidorus, of Ancyra, Nilus 11:1 Isa, As I explained earlier, the second chapter of the Song of Songs mainly conveys the conveys mainly Songs of Song the of chapter second the earlier, explained I As the of tradition midrashic this that seems it So of ornament humble. glory ofthe and world, the the the am I valleys. the of lily the and field, the of flower the am I self- of element the only centuries, sixth-seventh the from commentaries Christian In flower one only with sterile, root upfrom sprout the shall and fruitless was Lord’s flower ‘a written: is it of whom Christ, the it is, that whole field, the in blooming the by reason watered been this yet it For has nor blood. it, cultivate to pairs in out sent them he when oxen many so like apostles the affixed Lord the which to plow the earth, the opened not has cross the of plow the yet as for flower; their but fruit their called not is she that right is it Moreover, cultivation. for ready be to as so Prophets the and Law the of teachings the the by level denote made Israel denotes plural, the in of field the – impiety of depths the of spoken out knowledge to come have who Gentiles and uncultivated and hollows, down the if low – Perhaps field. being the of flower a be to said further is she And Expositio in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis, Canticorum Salomonis, Canticum in Expositio Commentarium Commentarium Targum 1:40 – translation from from –translation 1:40 nepee i o el te ne o cnrdc Christian contradict to need the feel not did interpreter 177 ’ 178 179 The Song of Songs, Song of The 1120b. Canticles Rabba Rabba Canticles ed. Norris, 94. ed. Targum Targum Canticles Rabba Canticles was much closer to closer much was on the other hand, other the on

point 41

CEU eTD Collection verses refer to the samecharacter: (female) to the refer verses Origen what is this thought: least, At male. a female. is is utterer the object that this possible that only two is verse it Consequently, in clear also is It speaker. the by utterance the of object (inactive) the to attributed is it two verse in speaker, the to refers it one verse in While the affect verses. both in mentioned different is “lily” also attribute The principles. different that with worked interpreters seems it may Still, verse. retrospect, first the of in speaker the of reference, gender the of This determination character. female a as sentence the of object the to refer versions all example, for chapter, the of verse second the In points. 182 ontheScripture Commentaries the mapping in factor 181 relevant a also and chapter, 180 the of beginning the of interpretation the concerning claim significant a is finally, This, Christ. was field” the of “flower the that meant, clearly it character, male the to referring as read is statement first the and conception, drama. a was Songs of Song the that this that conviction is deep Origen’s for observation reasons possible this the of one of on light relevance shed may differentiation The character. male the by uttered is verse the of beginning the of Nilus mind in the other, each about statements exchanging protagonist Ancyra, of Nilus Origen, King, King, While Origen imagined the situation as a discussion between a male and female and male a between discussion a as situation the imagined Origen While a lily… as them among resplendent stands magnificently adorned is who she base, are that thoughts or actions of reason by “hollow” called is which that of midst the in herself distinguishing in For both that convinced apparently was He differently. argued Ancyra of Nilus However, valleys’. the ofthe Lily oftheand Flower field ‘the Himself calling be to and Church, the to reference with way this as in understood speaking be to of is Christ kind follow, the to proposed to have according we that But interpretation companions. and friends His to Bride the and Himself about words these says Wisdom, and Word at and Bridegroom is the once who He, that seems It daughters. the among the neighbour among my lily is the so as thorns, valleys; the of lily the and field the of flower the am I Origen on the Song of Songs ontheSong of Origen Commentarius in Canticum Canticorum Canticum in Commentarius Commentarium in Canticum Canticorum Canticum in Commentarium , ed. Wright,310. , 31-35. 182 More importantly, if credence is given to Origen’s to given is credence if importantly, More , 3:4; translation from , 3:4;from translation 181 :94. rnlto rmfrom translation 1:39-41.; 180 Origen, ed. Lawson, 176. ed. Ancient Christian Ancient

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CEU eTD Collection Greek versions imply that – latest – from the third verse the speaker is the female character. female the speakeris the verse the third –from –latest that imply versions Greek the and Latin, the Hebrew, the that doubt beyond is It Songs of Song the of chapter second the of verses subsequent the of description the to on move must I interpretations, messianic in father it up,Theodoret. shows writing whose Greek only the by tradition Latin the into transferred and upheld was verse the of understanding Origen’s that assume to correct seems it outline this From Christ. say, to is Alcuin, Ambrose, tradition. exegetical Latin the in idea Origen’s of prosperity certain a is there that however, to note, It important is acharacter. female as the speaker to regard seem Carpasius of Philo both Ancyra, of Nilus beside While, Origen. Greek the Among Theodoret only tradition. surveyed, Greek have I the commentators in accepted entirely not is understanding this understanding. Origen’s of aware were commentators later which discovering in use of be may signs small these that believe I traditions. exegetical certain of provenance 191 190 189 188 187 186 185 184 Songs, 183 arrival. messianic a of explanation their evolve to thinkers Christian and Jewish both led “beloved” her of arrival the expecting speaker’s female the of picture vivid the that surprising not is It me.” embrace doth hand right his and head, my under is hand “left his where lover her with meeting imaginary an envisages also character female the beloved, her describing Besides Cant. 2:6 Cant. Exum, Cf. 100, PL Alcuin, PL 91, Bede, 16, PL Ambrosius, 6, GNO of Nyssa, Gregory 40, Carpasius,PG Philoof of 81, Cyrrhus, Theodoret PG See the with dealing scholarship in prevalent is question This 3-6. 189 Since the basic aim of this chapter is to present antagonistic Jewish and Christian and Jewish antagonistic present to is chapter this of aim basic the Since and others assert that the utterer of the first verse is the Bridegroom himself, which himself, Bridegroom the is verse first the of utterer the that assert others and Song of Songs Song of In Cantica Canticorum Allegorica Expositio, Expositio, Allegorica Cantica Canticorum In Compendium in Canticorum, Canticum Compendium De Virginitate , 114. Enarratio Oratio IV , 279c-d. Interpretatio 60b-c 844m. 85b-c

646a 184 1101c-d. Song of Songs of Song has a similar understanding to that of that to understanding similar a has . See See . 185 and Gregory of Nyssa of Gregory and King, King, Origen on the Song of Song the on Origen 183 It seems that seems It 187 Bede, 43 191 190 188 186

CEU eTD Collection and apples.” and chapter. gone.” and over is rain the past, is winter the lo, “For, that: character female the to says reassuringly lover arriving the where chapter, second the of part second the in corroborated further is picture This change. springtime a to – general in – and plants of growing the nature, to references recurring the by primarily signalled is element This two. chapter of tension the to adding element poetic further a is there lovers, the of meeting eventual the from resulting excitement lover her which in event past winery. a a to her recounts introduced she four, verse in Then, tree. of types other exceeds blossoming) when odor its to or fruit the to due (either which tree, apple an to lover her compares she three verse In speak. to starts character female the lover(s), the of portrayal self-describing) (or mutual the after analysis: my for importance of be will that it of elements 199 198 197 196 195 194 193 192 the of tension the to contributes verses. only seven verse of form oath the that state to merely yearning,” of “poem this concerning statement own my formulate to is here intention my not is it Since vision long time. a for scholars puzzled has that verse a by followed This hands. his with lover his embrace will character male the that tense future character. male the for yearning her eases that something with her provide to companions her asking is character female the that For a number of theories on the identity of the Daughters of Jerusalem see Pope, Jerusalem of theDaughters ontheidentity number of theories a For Exum, Murphy, See Murphy, Pope, 2:5 Cant. 2:11 Cant. Pope, 198 In verse five the female character asks a plural person to support her with “flagons with her support to person plural a asks character female the five verse In those importantly, more and two, chapter of plot alleged the outline briefly me Let The Song of Songs, Song of The Songs, Songof The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of Without discussing who the daughters of Jerusalem are, or what is asked of them, of asked is what or are, Jerusalem of daughters the who discussing Without The Song of Songs Song of The 194 The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The While the exact meaning of the objects of support is dubious, is support of objects the of meaning exact the While

193 To this aspect of spring imagery I will come back in the following sub- following the in back come will I imagery spring of aspect this To 117. 378-380. 371-373. , 132. 192 61. It is apparent already from these two verses that besides the besides that verses two these from already apparent is It 196 Then, in the following verse it is mentioned in the in mentioned is it verse following the in Then, The Song of Songs Song of The 197 I confine myself confine I 195 it is certain is it , 318. 44 199

CEU eTD Collection following explanation to three: verse explanation following verses. mostly focus onthese Iwill ofmy chapter part following the in clearly, most tradition Jewish and Christian both of arguments polemical the reveal mountains. the through leaping by approaching is lover the that fact the 4. approach, his during character masculine the of voice character, male the of sweetness the of sign a are taste and scent whose apple, an 1. of: elements important poetry. love in ofunquenched Biblical picture a prevalent to a deer, hecompared is which lover, her about statement final one formulate to her incites turn, in recognition, This mountains.” the upon “leaping lover arriving her of sound female the the hear to utterance, begins her protagonist of end the at Finally, apart. heart her rips that love the of ease for begging previous character’s female the repeats somehow verse the that said be can it 207 206 205 204 203 202 201 200 2:8 Cant. 2:6 Cant. 2:3 Cant. Jer. 5:19, Prov. 42:1, 14:5. Ps. See Exum, 2:8 Cant. Targum CantTargum Kahana de Pesiqta and the words of His Torah were sweet to my palate, and the reward for the for reward come. the to storedupformeworld is in commandments ofHis keeping the and palate, my to sweet were Torah His of words the and His gave He when Sinai, Shekhinah, shadeofHis in hourIlongedthe that to At sit people. to His Torah Mount on the revealed among was He praised that and time fair the at was angels World the of Lord world the the so all and it, trees, acknowledges wild the among praised and fair is citron the as Just spirit similar the In a Torah. of the giving the of day the on Hen, be blessed One, Holy the before fled of world nations the the so shade, no an yields of it case because the it, in avoids as everyone Just tree, Zimra, apricot b. Yose R. of name the in Aha R. Huna, R. tradition, Jewish midrashic the Representing most the with depiction symbolic a encounters reader the nine to three verse From Song of Songs, Songs, Song of ic les 203 . 2:3; translation from: translation . 2:3; 2. the dual picture expressed by the left and right hand of the lover, the of hand right and left the by expressed picture dual the 2. 206 125-126. 12:10; translation from 12:10; from translation Targum 205 The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The

says: Since it is the commentaries to these three verses that verses three these to commentaries the is it Since Pesiqta, Pesiqta, ed. Neusner eit eaKhn deRabKahana Pesiqta ed. Alexander, 98. ed. , 184. 207 otis the contains 204

3. the 3. 201 202 in 45 200

CEU eTD Collection the apple tree: apple the Origen, of Commentary the in observed be can concept similar (a approach Christian Latin traditional the exemplified who Alcuin, of ofits duties. understanding ofrabbinical Judaism’s legitimization read not do who those of the of understanding the Therefore, level. primary a on days of end the in Jews the of fate the with Torah the of learning the the of negligence their of because favors God’s from excluded of are well) as Christians the (including nations the thus, and nations, the over excellence Jewish mark the is Torah the that understanding, the establishes it Firstly, statement. twofold Jews, the of redemption final the to connections its and Torah the of importance the highlighting By nations. the among eminence own its emphasize to excellence tree’s apple the of concept the uses explanations) these with accordance in is 215 214 213 212 211 210 209 208 highlighted. is ofChristandmerits his figure the observation, their and laws Mosaic the of excellence the instead that fact the for except followers, his of many by rejected and Origen, by established Cf. Littledale, Littledale, Cf. 100, PL Alcuin, 79, PL theGreat, Gregory 70, PL Cassiodorus, 33, GCS Origen, Schwartz, Cf. Schubert, Cf. Stern, t ses ta h sa hita ruetto, aan floig te tradition the following again argumentation, Christian usual the that seems It saints. the exceeds doesall so ofit’s fruit, Christ the taste odor and its its appearance, forestboth in trees ofthe the other exceeds tree the apple As words the first consider should one concerned, are commentaries Christian as far As the of gist (the tradition Jewish the texts, these from judged be can As Jewish Identity, Identity, Jewish Christentum und Judentum, Christentum undJudentum, Imperialism and Jewish Society, Society, andJewish Imperialism The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The Compendium in Canticorum, Canticum Compendium Commentarium Commentarium Expositio in Canticum Canticorum, Expositio Canticum in 74-75. Super Cantica Canticorum Expoisitio, Super Cantica oa Torah 3:181-184 65-67. and observe its laws, and it also corroborates the self- the corroborates also it and laws, its observe and Targum Targum 48-49.

211 241-243. Cassiodorus has a twofold meaning. It eliminates the validity the eliminates It meaning. twofold a has 646a-b. 1062c. 495a-b. 212 208 and Gregory the Great the Gregory and the rabbinic tradition produces a produces tradition rabbinic the 215

matches the Jewish tradition, Jewish the matches Torah 210 . Secondly it connects it Secondly . 214 Midrash 213 ) toward )

46 209

CEU eTD Collection fact that by mentioning the two hands, one of the bases of Christian faith, the duality of the of duality the faith, Christian of bases the of one hands, two the mentioning by that fact writes: ofElvira Gregory hand from above, right bythe belowand embraced from hand left the by supported is Church) (the character female the that fact the of importance the Emphasizing way. polemical directly a in explained is hands two the understanding of way the of interpretation irenic the to matched be possibly could tradition centuries. sixth-eighth the of fathers Latin the of representatives of number a and Christ. of attributes spiritual hand left and right the in sees which explanation an establishes Origen directions. distinct very two heading be to seem exegetes Christian among traditions interpretative the two chapter of element this to relation In protagonist. female the embracing character male the of arm right and left the Commentary ontheScripture, Commentary 220 219 218 217 216 kind ofattribution: forthis reason a gives also who Alexandria, of Cyril by others, among shared, is concept His covenant. new the to and Testament New the to inferior is covenant, old the consequently, and Testament, Old the that show also can he time, same the at hand a to and covenant a to Testaments both attributing by Secondly, expressed. be can Testament) New and Testament (Old Scripture rgr f Evr, CS 9 69, CCSL Elvira, of Gregory 70, PL E.g.,Cassiodorus, 81, Cyrrhus, PG of Theodoret Origen, Cf. Targum Canticles, Canticles, Targum his right hand is the knowledge of divine realities, from which comes eternal comes which from realities, divine of knowledge the is hand right his life…Thus, future the as hand right the and life present the as understood be to is right. his thehand Or, left gospelin hand, be the in left his saidto lawis The the of use good makes it Firstly, purposes. two serves Gregory of commentary The hand right the whereas Christ, is gospel. the who church, placed of the sacraments is the by covered were sins old that meaning church, the embraced it of because head inferior is the covenant beneath old The gospel. the the of is hand preaching right the but covenant, old the indicates it hand, left his to refers it When gospel. the and law old the of covenants two the are hands two These by expressed duality the is analysis my to two chapter of element relevant next The Commentarius in Canticum Canticorum Canticum in Commentarius 220 2:6. Expositio in Canticum Canticorum, Canticorum, Expositio Canticum in ed. Bulhart, 314. Bulhart, ed. Explanatio in Canticorum Explanatio Canticum n Cniu atcrm Canticorum, Canticum In 216 This tradition is again followed by Theodoret by followed again is tradition This , 3:9. 1063c. .9 rnlto rm from: translation 3.29; , 90d-91d. Targum nin Christian Ancient . 219 The second The 218

This 47 217

CEU eTD Collection any argument, but are only there due to the fact that the rabbis felt it was necessary to quote to necessary was it felt rabbis the that fact the to due there only are but argument, any the between connection the that impression the under am I elements, these to relations hierarchical clear attribute to difficult Judaism. rabbinic traditional of objects and elements defining the all finds specifica differentia the from self-legitimization strong equally an by matched are understanding, Jewish the of validity 223 222 Scripture, onthe Commentaries Christian 221 ofthe commentary point the this ofthe passage. respective interpretation Christian the of force argumentative the weaken to order the in list religion to Jewish have of rabbis elements the that seems It verse. this to relation in faith their of pillars the Stern, Stern, Alexandria, of Cyrill Midrash Rabba Midrash . Hna i h ae o . Eizr b ao a, ‘h oc f my of voice ‘The say, Jacob b. Eliezer How him, to say will they redeemed, be to are you month this In Israelites, the R. of to says he When messiah. royal name the to refers this comes: he beloved!”’Behold the in Hunia R. At lover. her of arrival the is speaker female the of utterance the of element final The written the Gospel, the of equivalent the mentions only Midrash the beginning the At to world come… in the of God Presence the of cloud the to refers this me: embraced hand right tabernacle. his the that And to refers the this head: of my under interpretation were hand Another left his Amida. that O the verse: to refers this right me: his that embraced And hand Shema. the were of recitation hand the to left refers his this head: that my O under verse: the of interpretation Another Another tablets. phylacteries. the to refers second this med: embraced hand right the his that And show-fringes. to the to refers this me: refers this head: my under were hand left his that O verse: the of interpretation embraced hand right his that and tablets, first the to refers this head: my under were hand left his that O the concerning argument strong a express which commentaries, Christian These come which and glory.riches from realities, human of knowledge the is hand left his but life, Jewish Identity Jewish Canticles Rabba Canticles 2:6.; translation from: translation 2:6.; of Christianity. However, at the second level of the Midrash, the reader the Midrash, the of level second the at However, Christianity. of , 63-65, 69-70. rget omnaim Cnia Cniou Canticorum Cantica Commentarium Fragmenta 221 : Shema Canticles Rabba Rabba Canticles Song of Songs Rabbah, Songs Song of 314. 222 , the Prayer, etc., and the two hands are not a result of result a not are hands two the and etc., Prayer, the , reaches a certain level ofculmination: level certain reaches a ed. Neusner,170. ed. :; tasain fo: from: translation 2:6; 223 Since it is it Since

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CEU eTD Collection they still oppose the Jewish concept. Gregory ofNyssa says: Gregory concept. the oppose Jewish still they structurally although Elvira, of Gregory of commentary the in attested is that force the lack state. ideal previous and restore their them will free the end oftime, at who, Rome as denoted fact, of matter a as is, (which kingdom evil the of sway the under oppressed are Jews the Perhaps tradition. ed. J. Robert Wright, 318. Robert J. ed. 228 227 226 225 224 point ofview: Christian ofthe themeaning underlying to unfold be able one might of Elvira Gregory of commentary the of help the with However, advent. Christ’s of powers the rebellious by means he what exactly explaining in engage not does Nyssa of Gregory peaceful. Gregory of Nyssa, Nyssa, of Gregory Yuval, Cf. Pesiqta de Rav Kahana de Pesiqta Rabba Canticles Canticles Rabba Canticles therefore to be raised higher than every mountain, or patriarch, and to leap to and patriarch, or mountain, every than higher raised be to therefore said is He seeing. for established prophets, are hills the but charity, of mass a upon founded faith, in robust holiness, with vast patriarchs, are mountains The is leaps he which over mountains the and Christ between comparison Gregory’s greater. are and thosethat both powers the himself, inferior to subject power rebellious every made he hills, the over bounding by and way, his in stood that mountains the over leaping came Word the of voice the After prophets. the through spoke God when heard was bridegroom the of voice The to seem tradition Christian Greek early, the of representatives some time, same the At Christian the of representatives the to message clear a is itself in concept This the to refers This Land. Messiah-king. our in heard is guide good the of voice the come… has heaven of kingdom all the of revelation the for time over The come. has world the and end the from uprooted of be to kingdom wicked the calculations for time times…The and reckonings foreordained over skipping is he that means hills the over leaping mountains, the over to bounding But attention accounts. your pay not does he you, redeem to wants he Since them: to said He The nations. seventy among us the oathhesubjugate would that an taken He, be blessed One, Holy the not has And redeemed? be to going we are Two Nations Pesiqta de Rav Kahana, Kahana, de Rav Pesiqta 2:8; translation from: translation 2:8; 2:7; translation from: translation 2:7; Homiliae, 5 Homiliae, 225 , 5.5.; translation from translation , 5.5.; , 93-97. ; translation taken from from taken translation ; 226 Song of Songs Rabbah, Songs Song of Rabbah, Songs Song of ) presently, but in the future a Messiah King will come, will King Messiah a future the in but presently, ) on the other hand, contains a more outright statement: outright a more hand, contains on the other Pesiqta, Pesiqta, ed. Neusner,74 ed. Ancient Christian Commentaries on the Scripture IX Scripture the on Commentaries Christian Ancient ed. Neusner,172. ed. Neusner,177. ed. 228 224 227

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CEU eTD Collection were well utilized by both the representatives of the Christian and the Jewish tradition of the of tradition Jewish the and Christian the of representatives the both by utilized well were concepts these that reader the surprise not should It plants. the of branches rotten the off cut to come has time the and ripe, are fruits new the arrived, has spring that recounts He lover. close on. ofOrigenfrom footsteps follow the who those and Theodoret by them to transmitted and Origen by established tradition a on were relying era this of fathers Latin the that is tendency irenic apparent this for reason possible a show to trying was I As chapter. the of part second the to relation in different significantly be will situation the polemics, heated a in engage to reluctant seemingly are centuries eighth Jewish the to opposition direct in verse end oftimes. comingthe Messiah at ofthe understanding the of explanation the puts he this, claiming By prophets. the and patriarchs, the religion, Jewish the of representatives the over leaping ed. J. Robert Wright, 318. Robert J. ed. 229 chapter of beginning the at beauty character’s female the about statements short of a number from Apart speech. coherent altogether an gives character male the that Songs of Song the of plot alleged the in time first the is this that noteworthy is It speech. a commences he next insub-chapter. arethe portrayed their interpretations and arguments These concepts. their of legitimacy the prove further to order in question in period

In Canticum Canticorum, Canticum In Following the female character’s words announcing the arrival of the male character, male the of arrival the announcing words character’s female the Following female his to speak to starts character male the two chapter of part second the In sixth- the of sources Christian most chapter the of part first the to relation in Although is Christ approaching the that believes He clear. are Elvira of Gregory of words The being underfeet. his put things all with all, over Lord is he because prophet, or hill, every over II.II. SPEECH OF THE MALE CHARACTER THE OF SPEECH II.II. 4.4; translation taken from from taken translation 4.4; 229 Ancient Christian Commentaries on the Scripture IX Scripture the on Commentaries Christian Ancient

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CEU eTD Collection to help him catching the foxes, who would otherwise destroy the vineyards. the destroy otherwise would who foxes, the catching him help to character female the asks speaker male the (2:14), character female the of description further (2:11-13). land the in apparent are spring of signs the and past is winter of (2:10). him join and resting cease to character, ofinterpretation. battlefield at the other each meet and other each against set are again, traditions, two the arrival, character’s male the of importance the of understanding different their despite that again show will I elements. these with dealt interpreters Jewish and Christian how show will I Then, seventeen. to ten verses ofinterpretation. elements separate as be analyzed whichcan verses topics in these distinct are there discussion, their of nature plot-like the and coherence, the despite Nevertheless, character female the of speech speech the to replies this Moreover, distinctive. therefore, is, two chapter of part second the in speech character. male the from speech coherent any encountered yet not has reader the two, 237 companion female is his of seventeen presence verse the Exum, (Cf. from recounted, flee to is character character male the male to address the urgent of the depicting arrival already the which in ten-sixteen, verses with contrast 236 235 234 233 232 231 230 the in perspective historical a of insertion the for opportunity an offers spring and winter of mention the Secondly, seasons. passing of notion the with introduced is revival and decay (2:16). connectedness oftheir corroboration concludes Murphy, Murphy, In here. topic my from entity separate a is structurally, scene the to belongs it although seventeen, Verse Exum, Exum, Cf. Pope, Cf. Murphy, Keel, Murphy, Das Hohelied This imagery offers many possibilities for interpreation. Firstly, with the concept of concept the with Firstly, interpreation. for possibilities many offers imagery This female the addressing to invitation, an with begins character male the of speech The of imagery the in elements the of list short a provide I sub-chapter, present the In Song of Songs, Songs, Song of Song of Songs, Songs, Song of 236 Song of Songs,Song of Songs,Song of Song of Songs,Song of The Song of Songs, Songs, Songof The Song of Songs, Song of with the female character’s answer to the praises of her beloved and a further a and beloved her of praises the to answer character’s female the with , 97-100. 127-128. 131.) 142 140. 134-135. 127. . 393-394. 237 231 233 with a heightened level of spring imagery. spring of level heightened a with The reason for this invitation is that the timethe that is invitation this for reason The 234 235 Following a Following The scene The 230 His 51 232

CEU eTD Collection which they can define and legitimize themselves and their understandings, and, at the same the at and, understandings, their and themselves legitimize and define can they which by concepts express to have tradition of both representatives the since different, however, are, commentaries the of contents The commentaries. their structure and treat interpreters the way the in similar are say ideas), opposing they completely even although (sometimes commentaries, altogether things Jewish different and Christian the say, to is That structure. of level the on manifest again are however, similarities, These interpretations. their in parallels the discussion, following the and similarities in striking show era the from interpreters show Christian and rabbis by commentaries to try will I As characters. male the and female the between connection the emphasize to chance another provides sixteen verse in plot the of to way line concluding a the Finally, commentary. is the into enemy of foxes picture respective the introduce perilious the of mention and the Jewish Fourthly, the for self-legitimization. tool Christian a as serves again will which rejuvenation and rebirth of notion the evokes imagery spring vivid the winter, passing understanding. of concept their the justify with turn, together in Thirdly, would, that era an to Songs of Song the of part this of plot the relate to opportunity this took interpreters Christian and rabbis Both interpretation. Wright, 320) Wright, 238 Christian says: individualOrigen soul. ofthe level focuses onthe tradition, interpretative early the with line in is, first The trends. main the two are of there commentaries tradition Christian In answers. different gave traditions two the rejuvenation) of idea the and content ofcommentaries. interrelation aofpolemical sing can thebe structure in similarity the in dissimilarity the Consequently, other. the of that invalidate time, Origen, that you cannot hear “the winter is past” any other way than by entering the entering by than way other any past” is winter “the hear cannot you mind that in keep must you winter...And the through passed safely has she when bride the to Songs of Song the in said is what place take may there afterwards that so life, his guiding for acquired has he knowledge what show to winter in way hard and narrow the travel to obliged be first will blessed the of one Each the and element historical (the speech character’s male the of notions two first the To contest of this present winter with all your strength and might... your strength with and all winter ofthis present contest Exhortatio ad Martyrium, Martyrium, ad Exhortatio 31; translation from from translation 31; Ancient Christian Commentary on the Scripture the on Commentary Christian Ancient 238

, ed. , 52

CEU eTD Collection Christian individual to convert its neighbors (possibly the members of the Synagogue) to Synagogue) the of members the (possibly neighbors its convert to individual Christian the of aim major the is it that imply to trying also is He Cassiodorus. of words the ornamented beneath lying meaning another is there that believe I Christ. of faith the to neighbors its draw to is individual the of duty major the when an age is place takes discussion the which in age the that implies also Cassiodorus however, preaching, commence the to invitation an as character male the of words the understanding By Christ. of advent the to invitation ofGod: word the spreading in individual the of role the to turns rather testify, Cassiodorus of words the as 240 239 verses about twelve: and eleven says who Great, the Gregory as such Cassiodorus, by represented tradition to the successor bythe assumption evidenced is My implicated. is in whichpolemics message a but situation, historical the of understanding simple a not is already, this, And Christianity. Gregory the Great, PL 79, PL theGreat, Gregory 70, PL Cassiodorus, will be, so that the earthly world will cease sooner. will world cease the that earthly be, so will is chosen of Church the from branches useless the of down number cutting the swifter the gathered, greater the For come. is pruning of time The body. the the on appear abandon they after heavens flowers the in accepted are spirits that saintly the since ground, said is It land. our observations. in appeared celestial have and flowers The understandings spiritual his cherish not did they As laws? offerings, real with the laws) (the keeping of were ages old the harshness of people the as the long not if winter, by understood be should What character’s male the of plot the relate – naturally – Cassiodorus of words The good of example the and works. preaching of office the of to help yourself the with them with lead salvation, will you that you, copy and them hymns make will psalms, you that in me to pleasure give ofyourneighbors.So the advantage to thishurry is, and come, Hurry sermons. to like in only calmness the would from you say, to which is that the bed, for sweetest work your the from concerning public...Arise, zealousness to incites who bridegroom, the of Arise, saying: voice preach the is This to come. and one, beautiful me my dove, my love, urges my haste, make He me, to speaketh beloved my Behold which, of focus, change a slight with tradition Latin in apparent remains tradition This 239 Expositio in Canticum Canticorum, Expositio Canticum in Super Cantica Canticorum Expoisitio, Super Cantica 1065a. 498c-d. 240

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CEU eTD Collection past. The past. the in two of chapter plot the placed tradition Jewish the In contrast, future. far the or near the either to two chapter of plot the relate to was solution Their concept. historical a for striving problem, same the with coping are commentaries these all Moreover, direction. same the byCassiodorus and Gregory: represented that to –similar concept historical its akin –in is The Heaven. of Kingdom the of tradition, different somewhat a to advent belongs it although Cyrrhus, the of Theodoret of commentary to and issues worldly of end the to lead finally will which Testament, Old the of authority the abolished that Christianity of advent consequently, the final redemption) of the Jews see Yuval, theJews see redemption) of thefinal consequently, 243 242 241 future. the ofdeliverance, same idea onthe relying to extended was and can, that idea an Egypt, invoked from rabbis Exodus however, Jewish the of beginning the at discussion the placing By tradition. On the typological importance of the Exodus from Egypt as a model for all the exiles and redemptions (and redemptions and exiles the all for model a as Egypt from Exodus the of importance typological the On 81, Cyrrhus, PG of Theodoret Targum Canticles 2:10-11 Canticles Targum Moses and Aaron...The time for the Egyptians to be cut off has come. The come. has off cut be to Egyptians the for time Aaron...The and Moses to refers this countryside: the in appear flowers Egypt...the in spend to our fathers for decreed were that years hundred four the to refers this me, past: is to winter said and Moses, the now For yourself... through bestir up: Rise me? to say he me did What Aaron. through answered He ‘saying’? as thing same the ‘answering’ not “Is Azariah, R. me...Said to said he answered, beloved My this sight, first At again. ever not them see shall Egyptians, the of You gone. and tyranny passed has rain the incessant of) (period the and to compared is which short, cut been have pieces the Abraham to between spoke I which about years the and ended, has winter, to likened is which servitude, of time the lo, For Egyptians. the of slavery the depart from forth Come, deeds! in fair old, up, of “Rise from Darling me, My to Israel, said of Congregation and answered Beloved my morning was it when And in heading are tradition Christian the of interpretations the all differences, the Despite ofsin. punishments oftheand the laws threats the over, is rain the past, now is winter the that says he And expected. is that age he and the advent, future, the is summer his The advent). (his before after is which time times the spring calls the winter calls He past. now is winter For the is It Cassiodorus. of concept unclear somewhat the on light shed words Gregory’s Targum ’s translation of verses ten and eleven says: and eleven ten ofverses translation ’s ; translation from: translation ; Targum Explanatio in Canticorum Explanatio Canticum ic quotation seems far from the concept of the Christian the of concept the from far seems quotation ic 242 The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Pesiqta deRab Kahana Kahana deRab Pesiqta Two Nations, Nations, Two 241 , 104d-105a. 57-59. ed. Alexander, 107-108). ed. says the following:says the 243 Obviously

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CEU eTD Collection similar to that of the Church fathers. Secondly, it provides its readers with a clear-idea of clear-idea a with readers its provides it Secondly, fathers. Church the of that to similar structurally concept a with reader the provides all, of first understanding, This nation. Jewish the of freedom complete the with conclude finally and enemies, their of rule the under from advent. messianic the of course the in king evil present the of sway the under from deliverance the to arrives reader the Egypt, from deliverance the From revealed. is interaction divine where history, Jewish of elements those evokes it Egypt from departure the from Strating nation. Jewish the of future the and history Yuval, Yuval, 246 245 244 engaged already had interpreters Jewish and Christian both fifteen, verse in only up comes foxes destructive of motif the While surveyed. be should sixteen to fourteen verses speaker, female the and male the of connectedness the emphasizing plot the of element concluding oppose other. again, each speech, character’s male the of interpretations Christian and Jewish concerned are rejuvenation and historicity as far as that say to correct is it Consequently, concept. Christian different, content its by but similar, structurally the of validity the refutes time, same the at that, redemption On the connection between the concepts of the evil empire (that is Rome) and the Christains in general see general in Christains the and Rome) is (that empire evil the of concepts the between connection the On 13:7 Deut. Pesiqta deRab Kahana deRab Pesiqta Two Nations, s fr te to rmiig apcs h oi f te rsetv nm n the and enemy respective the of motif the aspects, remaining two the for As come... has the of construction The come... removed has come.” has of heaven be off kingdom the of revelation the for time The come. has world the from uprooted you misleads to mother, messiah- cut of son your the brother, your When following: through the with Babylonians line me, in which is kingdom That people. to wicked be misled the to said refers past...This and is winter for the Elijah, now king...For through to me answered time He Canaanites The Babylonia... of dominion the of years the seventy the to refers this past: is winter the now Ezra...For come... through me, to said and Daniel, has through for me answered He world the time from spies...The the the to refers removed this countryside: in the in appear flowers spent wilderness...the Israelites the that years be forty the to refers this past: now is to winter Eleazar...For the through me, to said idolatry and Joshua, through me answered the He for time 12-13. 5:9; translation from, translation 5:9; 245 Pesiqta Pesiqta 244 246 .Te tm o h ikd kndm t be to kingdom wicked the for time ...The Pesiqta deRab Kahana deRab Pesiqta This messianic advent, in turn, will redeem the Jews the redeem will turn, in advent, messianic This is clear. It is connects the Exodus from Egypt to the to Egypt from Exodus the connects is It clear. is , ed. Neusner,83-87. , ed.

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CEU eTD Collection people of God are capable of defending themselves. A somewhat similar concept is expressed is concept similar somewhat A themselves. defending of capable are of God people the that stress to has also he dove, a Israel call to midrash the of author the for enough not analysis.my into verse this of inclusion the for sufficient is commentaries their in symbol same the used the in conveyed comely” face thy and sweet, is voice thy for ears: my voice in sound thy let face, thy me shew wall, the of places hollow the in rock, the of clefts the in dove (“My fourteen verse with connection in already protagonist cornered a of motif the with 250 249 Pope, enemies. (Cf. her she suffer has from to distresses 248 247 from exodus Israel’s as interpreted is two chapter of plot the that understanding presented byenemies: surrounded is ofrocks the clefts in the in the to than location character’s female the of inaccessability the to points rather scene the that remarks Pope 2:14 Cant. Targum CanticlesTargum Rabba, Canticles Targum Although the the Although venom.their with men kill and bite that serpents fiery of full deserts were flanks two their from her threatening hawk and pursuedon enemy; them sea;the behind the in was front ofthem compass: a and the of points four the from within, up shut was Israel of Congregation the So from without. her threatening serpent a the Israel, of with rock, the House of clefts the in up the shut dove a resembled Israel of of Congregation people the after pursued Pharaoh wicked When is It enemy. an of idea the invokes appearance, mere its by concept the that seems It is that dove a like are they He, be obey him...’” and they guile, without blessed One, Holy the to as before But and He, Israel. be blessed One, Holy the before them subdue to as so wild beasts like become they world the of nations the before and Israel strengthens He, be blessed One, Holy the the And circumcision?’ beasts...For with and Sabbath wild the with like are want they you do ‘What Israel, world to say and Israel the on war make world the of of nations nations the to but dove, a like are they me dove’...“To a Israel call ‘I He, be blessed One, Holy the “Said Yohanan, R. Said rock”? the of clefts the in dove, “my of meaning the is What The Canticles Rabba Canticles . Here, it is not Israel’s fierceness that is emphasized but the fact that the dove the that fact the but emphasized is that fierceness Israel’s not is it Here, . Song of Songs of Song 2:14; translation from Neusner, from Neusner, translation 2:14; 2:14 ; translation from: ; 2:14 from: translation 250 Targum interprets this sceneas: this interprets ’s concept is clear and it results naturally from the previously the from naturally results it and clear is concept ’s proper, The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, 248 the mere fact that the interpreters of both traditions both of interpreters the that fact mere the Song of Songs Rabbah I SongsSong of Rabbah 249 The Song of Songs, Song of The ed. Alexander, 111. ed. Alexander, 400-401.) , 192. 247 ). Since this concept is not is concept this Since ).

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CEU eTD Collection between the two traditions continues to show up in the interpretations of the subsequent the of interpretations the in up show to continues traditions two the between similarity structural The hawk. the importantly most enemies, its against defenselessness dove’s direction,the in the same attention their have turned to seems influence this Moreover, fifteen. verse of proximity the by influenced been have to seemed interpreters Christian and words ofthe with the similarity forits revealing more perhaps is furthermore, Alcuin, of commentary The beasts. harmful against walls the of protection the Targum foxesothercreatures.” harmful the away and fordriving vineyard, “ says: example, for Cassiodorus, centuries. seventh and sixth the of commentaries Christian the with similarity structural a shows it since here it with deal to reason good is there Egypt, 254 of Songs,” ontheSong Perspectives 253 252 251 enemies of picture rabbinic the Egypt, in exile the since much experienced had nation Jewish in given that to interpretation Rabba In enemy. of concepts possible all include to hesitate not did tradition rabbinic either,clear not is sixteen of verse meaning complete the Although verse. In the hollow places of the wall the of places hollow the In Greek Vineyards: and Foxes “Of Hagedorn, C. Anselm cf. scene the of interpretations possible more On 100, PL Alcuin, 70, PL Cassiodorus, Canticles Rabba Canticles : neaan h edrfnsi h nepeaino h the of interpretation the in finds reader the again, Once fourkingdoms... are the foxes:these little said,the Berekhiah generals...R. are his and they Esau are foxes little so the said, Yudan clever, foxes...R. of metaphors the were given Egyptians foxes...The little the foxes, the us Catch Jewish both wall, a in a nest building one represents merely text of the dove the While ofthe hawk. raid the forexample ofthe enemy, from the ambushes her protect to him trust she death, his of sacrament the in Lord, the of passion the in faith the her putting is Church of the while nest, a clefts building is dove the sitting the rock In wall. the of places hollow the in rock, the of clefts the In the of understanding the to similar is that concept a upon building is commentary This . Here it is also alleged that the dove represents the female character for it is hiding in hiding is it for character female the represents dove the that alleged also is it Here . , 2:15; translation from Neusner, from Neusner, translation , 2:15; in Canticorum, Canticum Compendium Expositio in Canticum Canticorum, Canticorum, Expositio Canticum in Vetus Testamentum, Testamentum, Vetus Pesiqta deRab Kahana Kahana deRab Pesiqta . Walls are usually made of solid rocks for protecting the protecting for rocks solid of made usually are Walls . Song of Songs Rabbah I SongsSong of Rabbah 53, No. 3 (2003), 339-340,53, No. 351. 3(2003), 647d. 1066a. on verse ten. Despite the fact that the that fact the Despite ten. verse on Targum , 199,201-202. 251 atce ab Rabba Canticles : 253 the authors of the of authors the 252 254 Canticles a similar a

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CEU eTD Collection for a tiny element that marks the difference: marksthe that tiny element for a except commentary similar an gives who Bede, quote will I time, of course the with change Isidorewrites: well. as the which in their age. in being as current enemy depicted is allegorical verse the to interpreted rabbis the typology, historical on based Therefore, the when time the by but interpretations. their but changed, are that quotations Biblical the not is it Consequently, still. standing be to seems 258 257 256 255 the in infrequent not is it Although chapter. second the of sixteen verse in emphasized is that characters male the and female the of love mutual the is it earlier, recounted have I As two. chapter of sixteen milieus. ofthe interpretative two connectedness the shows that two chapter in element an is traditions, Christian the and Jewish both in presented enemy, Isidore. as idea same the on builds Songs, of Song Cf. Littledale, Littledale, Cf. Bede, PL 83, Isidorus, Yuval, Cf. Finally, I will briefly reflect upon Christian and Jewish concepts concerning verse concerning concepts Jewish and Christian upon reflect briefly will I Finally, the on commentary proper his in presented not is it although interpretation, Bede’s their with racket a the vineyards.’ are wrecking tiny which foxes ‘Catchthe forus church: the of guardians making the to given continuously is command the were, them Concerning it voices. babbling as and, craftiness, God, and of deceit church to respect with the against plotting always are shrewd who heretics, and Gentiles Jews, the represents very is which animal, This understandings, rabbinic to similarly commentaries, Christian how show to order In heretics, the bind words.” and thosewith crooked faith with a crooked those schismatics, say to is That vines. the destroy that foxes little us “Catch commentaries Christian in constancy a finds one tendency, rabbinic this to Similarly In Acta Apostolorum, In ActaApostolorum, Two Nations, The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The Expositio in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis, Canticorum Salomonis, Canticum in Expositio Song of Songs of Song 255 The Egyptian exile was surely a strong element in Biblical tradition, Biblical in element strong a surely was exile Egyptian The 3, 9-10. Canticles Rabba Rabba Canticles 19.14; translation from from translation 19.14; 101. that both characters or one of them expresses his or her desire her or his expresses them of one or characters both that was compiled compiled was Ancient Christian Commentaries ontheScripture Commentaries Ancient Christian 258 I think that this use of the same topic of topic same the of use this that think I 1121c. it was not historical reality anymore.reality historical not was it 256 257

, 322. 58

CEU eTD Collection love between God and his chosen nation is understood to express the exclusivity of their of exclusivity the express to understood is nation chosen his and God between love as: seventeen) verse the observation, this with line In interpretations. their in excellence exclusive of notion the include to interpreters Christian the and rabbis the signifies character forthe was verse throughenough expressed the reciprocity and the female this statement community, the and God represents character interpretative male both the of that idea traditions shared the with Together exclusivity. of implicitly meaning character a male the conveys him,” to I and me, to beloved “My saying By formulated. is verse the way the in embedded is significance this for reason The significance. special one, other the for love and His Shekhinah from me, and makes me wander among the nations, and they rule over me as a husband rules husband a as me over rule ( wife.” they his over and nations, the among wander me makes and me, from Shekhinah His removes He ways His from deviate I when But me. toward is desire His and me, among dwell to Shekhinah His causesHe World, the Lord of the of ways the in walk I as long “So as: 7:3 verse translates Targum The concept. 262 261 260 259 finds: of compilation earlier much the to related probably the of text the in argument similar any find not does one Since nations. of yoke the under from Israel free will God days, of end the at therefore, Israel, for God’s God only the is God and is nation chosen Israel seventeen. verse on commentary the of addition the through relationship Although at the remaining two similar locations the Targum gives a translation that is similar to themidrashic to is that similar translation Targum a gives the similar two locations attheremaining Although 7:11 6:3, Cant. 3:2, 1:7, e.g., Cant. See Canticles Rabba Canticles The concept of this midrash connects verses sixteen and seventeen. The reciprocity of reciprocity The seventeen. and sixteen verses connects midrash this of concept The rapacity. their for punishment the receive will kingdoms the that so is kingdoms...It the spite of who night the into those space breathing against a bring him I breathes...Until my for day the am for him...Until I is and vineyard...He me, am challenge I who him those guard...To against is he me flock...To am the shepherd...To I is am he him I me son...To him am to I him and to God, and is father, is he he me me nation...To To his’ am I and mine is beloved ‘My Targum Targum CanticlesTargum 261 2:16-17; translation from Neusner, from translation 2:16-17; , 262 it is reasonable to assume that this midrash is an early invention, early an is midrash this that assume to reasonable is it 259 7:3; translation from 7:3;from translation nevertheless this verse (and those where it is repeated) is it where those (and verse this nevertheless Song of Songs Rabbah I SongsSong of Rabbah The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, Canticles Rabba Rabba Canticles Mekhilta deRabi Ishmael deRabi Mekhilta , 203-208. explains verse sixteen (and sixteen verse explains ed. Alexander, 185. ed. Alexander, , in which one which in , 260

bear a bear 59

CEU eTD Collection Canticles the and Rabba Canticles the by hand, one the on represented, importantly most are that traditions interpretative the that conclude to reasonable seems it Therefore, characters. female the and male the between love exclusive, yet reciprocal, of concept the and enemy the of concept the plottwo, ofchapter of the aspects the remaining two interpreting in similarities striking showed also interpreters Christian and Jewish exclusivity. of meaning the conveying his of continuing of way a as perhaps –says: previousverse ofthe understanding – Isidore tradition. rabbinic the to similarly 264 263 connected.are Isidorus, PL 83, Isidorus, Mekhilta deRabi Ishmael deRabiIshmael Mekhilta His interpretation is similar to that of Bede and Alcuin, who both saw the verse as verse the saw both who Alcuin, and Bede of that to similar is interpretation His Church. else but the and he lovesnoone the Church, but correctly him loves else one no since beloved, one is only he the am and I And me me. to to only only supporter beloved is he is, That him. to I and me, to beloved My concept the expressed centuries seventh and sixth the of interpretations Christian the do What and you’’ beloved’s the lilies’ among feeds belovedwho mine, is my my with am ‘I him: him in share seek no have ‘You may them? answer we Israelites that turned, beloved your has Where women? among fairest you O gone, beloved your has ‘Where said, is it For you.’ with come us ‘Let them, to say they He, be blessed One, Holy the of quality praiseworthy and beauty the about hear world the of nations the When , and, on the other hand, by Cassiodorus, Isidorus, Bede the Venerable and Alcuin and Venerable the Bede Isidorus, Cassiodorus, by hand, other the on and, , Expositio in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis, Canticum in Expositio Shirata 3; translation from translation 3; Shirata Mekhilta, Mekhilta, ed. 1121c-d. 1121c-d. 263 Neusner, 190. Neusner, 264 Targum

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CEU eTD Collection whole chapter. whole the of plot the on conclusions to lead eventually will which analyze, I that commentaries the of logic thematic or historical the follow will I however, Occasionally, chapter. entire the of plot supposed a on than rather here understandings their and motifs individual on focus texts, the of nature haphazard the to Due love. familial of expressions with pinned traditions. two understoodin the are eight in chapter appearing characters, the how importance Christian paramount of is some it days, of and end the of Jewish elements the recounting many as commentaries in considered is chapter final the the of Since salvation community. the of plot the contains it consequence, a as and, well, as history of end point ofviewthe historical to book,but the –according Biblical of the the of chapter final the what themselves ask might readers chapters, previous in discussed implemented, interpreters 269 Songs, Song of The Littledale, cf. revealed, be can identity character’s this 268 267 (Murphy, poems…” of fragments or poems disparate of collection a be may which 8:5-14, in down break to seem text the of coherence and continuity “The says: who Murphy, of concept the accept rather will I 654-655 (1894), 4 No. Songs,” of the Song of Plot “The Friedländer, Michael 186; 1970), Ktav, York: Ginsburg, D. Christian 266 265 to?” spoken be to is she when day the in sister our to do we shall What breasts. no hath and little, is sister character: new a introduces speaker plural yet-unmentioned, a however, chapter, mother” my of breasts the sucking brother, my for me to thee give Cant. 8:8. Cant. how of views different are there the texts of versions Hebrew and Greek, the Latin, among differences to Due 8:1. Cant. (see plot continuous a constituting as eight chapter of verses the understanding of way a is there if Even Pope, The eighth chapter commences with the exclamation of a female speaker: “Who shall “Who speaker: female a of exclamation the with commences chapter eighth The are narratives the and protagonists the that shows chapter final this of outline An Christian the and rabbis the both that exegesis allegorical the of logic the Following The The Song of Songs, Songs, Songof The

Song of Songs, Songs, Song of 269 codn o te udrtnig o ot o h eih ad Christian and Jewish the of most of understanding the to According 192. CHAPTER III. THE ALLEGORICAL FAMILY ALLEGORICAL THE III. CHAPTER The Song of Songs and Coheleth (Commonly Called The Book of Ecclesiastes) of Book The Called (Commonly Coheleth and Songs of Song The Song of Songs of Song 94-95. 195), and treat the contents of accordingly. these verses treat thecontents 195), and will contain. This chapter is not only the final chapter final the only not is chapter This contain. will A Commentary on the Song of Songs of Song the on Commentary A The Jewish Quarterly Review, Review, Quarterly Jewish The 267 In the middle of the of middle the In Targum , 366, cf. Murphy, cf. 366, , 265 –it the is

266 268 I will I “Our (New 61 6,

CEU eTD Collection of a female speaker describing herself. describing speaker female a of exclamation the with conclude which nine, to eight verses in mentioned is sister little the this, again. lover her with was she wishes she initiative, the taking then, desert, the their surroundings. from disdain without desire mutual their express could they that so her to brother a be would lover her that wishes speaker female the two, and one verses In following: the thus, other. in turn,each oppose showthese understandings, how and the of chapter concluding the of interpretation the of aspects eschatological the of outline brief a give will I addition, In traditions. exegetical Jewish and Christian the of milieu polemical the concerning observations previous my with understandings their match the in described relations the into character discussion third a introduces sister” “little the of introduction the commentaries, See Exum, Exum, See 272 271 270 Latin the and Theodoret of tradition interpretative the between even differences ample the followed have of example an is who however, chapter, present fathers The Songs. of Song Greek the of reading tropological other of contrast in was visible connection clearly This sometimes Isidore. and Alcuin Venerable, the Bede Apponius, by represented Cassiodorus, fathers Latin of tradition later similar the to connected be might Cyrrhus commentaries. in the alsobe discussed turn –will – in the This part is often seen in commentaries and in recent philological works as being told by the younger sister. younger the by told being as works philological recent in and commentaries in seen often is part This Exum, Exum, Song of Songsof Song In previous chapters I tried showed that the ecclesiological reading of Theodoret of Theodoret of reading ecclesiological the that showed tried I chapters previous In are, chapter this of analysis subsequent and understanding my of points focal The family the which in ways the examining to dedicated is thesis my of chapter This Song of Songs, Songs, Song of Songs, Song of Song of Songs,Song of of the female and male characters. male and female of the 270 In verses five to seven a female [!] speaker speaker [!] female a seven to five verses In is again marked significantly by the monologues of female speakers, which speakers, female of monologues by the significantly marked again is 249. 246. 255-256, cf. Littledale, 255-256, Song of Songs of Song 272 are understood by the exegetes. Also, I will try to try will I Also, exegetes. the by understood are A The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The s is visible from my outline, the final chapter of chapter final the outline, my from visible is s 371. is mentioned as coming up from up coming as mentioned is Song of Songs of Song 271 Following 62

CEU eTD Collection yoke of the Old Testament is the way to achieve the situation described in one: verse described situation the achieve the is to way ofthe Testament Old yoke the from deliverance the that concept the with deals already commentary His Apponius. of says: Theodoret tradition, irenic importantly history. salvation in Jews” of of fulfillment “responsibility the the withholding with obsession particular a show which fathers, Latin of tradition and the interpreters earlier the of toward Judaism standpoint irenic more the about brought have might difference This oecumene. secured less or more religiously a in writing are tradition Latin later, the of representatives the established been just has Empire Roman the over rule Church’s the when age an at writing was Theodoret While redemption. and salvation toward approach different the in lies perhaps difference this for reason The fathers. 276 275 274.) Norris, 274 255-257. Press,1952) Abingdon 273 ofAlcuin: the as commentary periods,such texts from later Christian in Alcuin, PL 100, PL Alcuin, 19 CCSL Apponius, Cyrrhus, of Theodoret Bright, John See times, those who were looking forward to the incarnation of Christ. That Christ. ofhuman conditions. nature the of incarnation the to by fed, and born was I Synagogue the in is: This breast. forward mother’s my at nursed looking were old who the of just those the of times, voice the is This me. to brother a like were you that O clearer even becomes Apponius, of commentary the in marked already transition, The ofeverybody salvation ofthe sake fromforthe the father sent was he incarnation…And the in faithful the Jewish to plainly the appeared of These nation. Testament Old the by laws, the of letters the in enclosed were flesh… the by mother her is which Jews, the nation, incredulous remaining, last the only asks life, eternal comingto gentiles mentioned the previously the of watching souls the while of together is, Church) (the speaking…She wishful is mother my This of breasts the sucking brother, my for me to thee give shall Who commentary the in explanation tougher a across comes one later, half a and century A Spirit. ofthe the suck grace manner to and in what are ofbaptism gifts the what me show you sins…but your of dirt the off wipe to not was baptized be to forward came you why reason sister…The and brother are we that too, respect this in demonstrate, to order in I, as breasts same the at suckle to purposed nature, my on taking and humanity, of love great your in you, But Compendium in Canticum Canticorum, in Canticorum, Canticum Compendium The Kingdom of God The Biblical Concept and Its Meaning for The Church Church The for Meaning Its and Concept Biblical The God of Kingdom The , In Canticum Canticorum Exposito Canticum Canticorum , In htImyfn hewtot without. thee find may I That In Canticum Canticorum, Canticorum, Canticum In 276 PG 81 PG , 11:16-17.

681c 200b-201a (Translation from from (Translation 200b-201a Up until today the words of God of words the today until Up 273 ersnig ti al, bt more but early, this Representing 275 274 The Song of Songs, Songs, of Song The (New York: (New .

63 ed.

CEU eTD Collection argumentation in them, the argumentation itself is indeed ostentatious. It is worthy of notice of worthy is It ostentatious. indeed is itself argumentation the them, in argumentation polemical the of development the observe to able fifth-sixth-seventh be not the may one although to And centuries. back date verse this for commentaries rabbinic available first commentaries. Christian to relation in briefly continuous presented that a to outline similar development to impossible is it verse, this concerning century fifth the pre-date be would that commentary rabbinic no is there concerned, am I as far as Since, verse. first the in explained love familial the of nature the discovering with concerned is argumentation and elements midrashic early account law. written the of strictures the nullifies Christ of advent the that realizing not for culpable being as Jews the renders it that rather is concept the of feature to important close most the being believe as I Jews Christians, the of acceptance the to point extent, certain a to could, concept this view, of point eschatological an from Although, Jews. the with “sister” the identifying in preponderance gradual a of growth the of consists emphasize to like would I tendency The 279 xii. 1989), Notes, Brief and Indices Introduction, with English into Translated 278 2007.) 2. chapter Academic, 277 in Moreover, Rabba The age. patriarchal the of relationships brotherly of examples different the to compared is verse the which in concept a to back draw sources rabbinical the all almost that in “Introduction” the see , the of dating the exception, possible only the for As Heine, E. Ronald See Song of Songs Rabba, Songs Song of contains the following commentary: commentary: the following contains In order to trace a parallel development in Jewish exegesis, one needs to take into take to needs one exegesis, Jewish in development parallel a trace to order In with all his heart. his all with him loved who Benjamin, with Joseph namely breast, mother’s my at nursed that of one is brothers It brother? the what like Like Then him… Jacob. hated They hated Joseph? with Joseph Esau And said, is it Lo, Jacob? Like and Isaac. Esau hated Ismael Isaac? with Ishmael Abel…Like killed Cain Abel? brother my as wert thou that O 277 Pesiqta deRab Kahana Pesiqta

8:1; translation in: Neusner, in: translation Neusner, 8:1; Reading the Old Testament with the Ancient Church Ancient the with Testament Old the Reading 279

one finds the following explanation of the same verse: ofthe same explanation the finds following one Targum . Like what sort of brother? Like Cain with Cain Like brother? of sort what Like . Song of Songs Rabba, SongsSong of Rabba, ic sources as well. The general line of rabbinic of line general The well. as sources ic trans. John T. Townsend (Hoboken: Ktav, (Hoboken: Townsend T. John trans. 211. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker MI: Rapids, (Grand Midrash Tanhuma, Midrash Canticles

278 The 64

CEU eTD Collection ogeain h abs cud hv en ofrn n atraie t h contemporarily the to alternative an offering been have could rabbis the congregation, Israel. of nation whole the express together brothers his and Joseph since Jews, the of cohesion and integrity the equals brothers his toward Joseph of love brotherly the on emphasis the Consequently, general. in exegesis rabbinical in importantly, more but tradition, Biblical the in already nations foreign represent Esau and Ishmael, Cain, that is interpretation the behind idea The first nations. the the towards Jews the between of relationship the exemplifies relationship brothers their and The patriarchs arguments. rabbinical both by the shared perceive aim to easy common is it brothers), his of all towards love expresses Joseph one second is love example first the in that and External Controversies Controversies and External Kalimi, 283 282 Reuther, “The See 281 168. 280 eight. ofchapter of theverses final the interpretation during echoed similarly is together hold will tribes twelve the ultimately that concept The diaspora. in nation a to text a between interpret who rabbis for relevance love crucial a bore brothers the his and Joseph of importance The Christ. of advent the of sister importance younger the of the ignorant as them represented which tradition exegetical Christian developing On the dubious interpretation of Joseph’s character and his importance in the rabbinic tradition see Isaac see tradition rabbinic the in importance his and character Joseph’s of interpretation dubious the On Yuval, See century. fourth the from commentaries Christian by implemented also fact, of matter a as is, argument This Pesiqta deRab Kahana deRab Pesiqta Early Jewish Exegesis and Theological Controversy, Theological and Exegesis Jewish Early Even if one sees the important difference in the two rabbinical conceptions (namely, conceptions rabbinical two the in difference important the sees one if Even my people. comfort Comfort, more much so: how the Jerusalem, comes to He, comfort be blessed One, Holy the when them, comforted thereby and brothers his of hearts the to words mild spoke who Joseph, if fortiori: a argument to an yields Joseph matter the of Now brothers. brothers the were his to was Joseph as As rather, But Joseph. hated Joseph Jacob. of brothers The Joseph? hated Esau Jacob? to was Esau As Isaac. hated Ishmael Isaac? to was Ishmael As Abel. killed Cain Abel? to was Cain As brother? of sort what Like me. to brother a like were you that O Two Nations, Nations, Two Adversos Judaeos Adversos 283 I believe that by highlighting the stability and solidarity of the Jewish the of solidarity and stability the highlighting by that believe I 65 rnlto rm ese,Neusner, from: translation 16:5; , (Nijmegen: Royal Van Gorcum, 2002), 77-79, Gorcum, 97-98. Van Royal (Nijmegen: 3-4, 10-11. Traditition,” 179-180. Traditition,” par excellence par 280

between Joseph and Benjamin, while in the in while Benjamin, and Joseph between A Theological Commentary to the Midrash, the to Commentary Theological A

Studies in Scriptures in the Shadow of Internal of Shadow the in Scriptures in Studies

167- 65 281 282

CEU eTD Collection Jewish religion for its stubbornness. Cassiodorus says: says: Cassiodorus forits religion stubbornness. Jewish while fault to opportunity which, an finds Church, the as desert” – the from up coming “one the fathers identifying Church Western among prevalent particularly – argumentation Not from fleeing Egypt. ofIsrael congregation desert”the as upfrom the “coming one evident. seems already tendency this a on relying possibly surprisingly, Egypt, from redemption Israel’s to song rabbinic in Israel the of of strategy the account into Taking exodus. the congregation the and tradition interpretations). Christian in Church the is, is (that character community the to referring as traditions both in generally female understood was and described a of arrival the Here five. verse of exegesis Christian and rabbinical 288 287 286 285 284 he says: when understanding, Cassiodorus, PL 70, PL Cassiodorus, 20:5, 8:5, Songs Song Rabba Exodus e.g.,Rabba of The See, 11b Bavli Talmud Sota See see Pope, “desert” and “wilderness” of thewords theinterchangeability On Littledale, rest of the elected from Judea. Judea. from elected the of rest the and apostles the like cross, the of tree the under death perpetual from you Synagogue. the of instead bride the to up thee raised I tree – apple the Under similar otherwise – his to edge eschatological further a adds even Alcuin mother. are ofJewscalled who part thee. bare that forth thee brought awakened. is Synagogue God, tree. apple of the cognition had ignorance… in who lost are says: nations one other the only that she thinking the that was she notice that thought of Synagogue worthy is it And ( wilderness. Synagogue the from up cometh that this is Who of line distinctive a is there concerned, are commentaries Christian as far As the is analysis my of point focal next the characters, of identification the Concerning A Commentary on the Song of Songs, Songs, ontheSongof A Commentary 284 The word “wilderness” word The Expositio in Canticum Canticorum Canticorum Expositio Canticum in speaks about speaks We have to understand it as the divine cross, beneath which the which beneath cross, divine the as it understand to have We ) the Church assembling from among the nations… the among from assembling Church the ) Talmudic hr h ohr bogt te ot, tee she there forth, thee brought mother thy There There thy mother was corrupted. corrupted. was mother thy There It is the Synagogue, the greater and principal and greater Synagogue, the the is It 285 349-351. 288 was enough for the rabbis to connect the verse to verse the connect to rabbis the for enough was source, . The bridegroom himself is responding is himself bridegroom The . I raised thee up. thee raised I 1101d-1102a. 286 Targum Midrash Zuta8:5. Midrashic collections Midrashic pn hr beloved her upon The voice of the admiring the of voice The ic tradition to connect the whole the connect to tradition ic That means, I recalled I means, That I raised thee up under up thee raised I The Song of Songs, Songs, Song of The That is to say to is That ic the Since . 287 understand the understand 661-662.

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CEU eTD Collection iet poiini h the in opposition direct ofthe understanding their legitimize to need the felt interpreters and Christian Jewish the of representatives certain verse, same the Targum the of rendering the quote me let milieu, interpretative same the from stemmed traditions interpretative two the that or understandings, Jewish the on reflecting were represent, they 291 290 289 following the contains Rabba Canticles The rabbis. the of minds the in opposition of notion the of redactors the Targum by recognized somehow was understanding of tradition Christian the of verses subsequent the to relation in commentaries Jewish by seriously more even highlighted Cant. 8.6. Cant. 8:5;from: translation Targum 100, PL Alcuin, Song of Songs of Song The verse: “For love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave” the as cruel is jealousy death, as strong is love “For verse: The exactly At striking. again is traditions interpretative two the between opposition The the receive to Sinai Mount Torah?beneath appeared she when day the on as Lord, her of love the in delights (that) and Israel, of Land the to Wilderness the from up came she when day the on as myriads, upon myriads in earth, the from up comes that people this of merit the was ‘What say, will earth the of inhabitants the all Then sling. a from stone a casts man a as out cast be will Israel of land beneath from the buried in and been have Andwickeddied who ofAnointing. the Mount the issue and ground the below tunnels of way by come in will died exile have who righteous the even and it; beneath from issue will Israel of dead the all and apart split will Anointing of Mount the revive, dead the When tradition the rather, or commentaries, Christian these that prove to order in Finally, to the cross. (Christ)was condemned he while Barabbas, saying noto nation Christchose (Jewish) part ofthe major the . for verse eight:for verse 290 Compendium in Canticum Canticorum, in Canticorum, Canticum Compendium . One might even consider the possibility that the argumentation of the of argumentation the that possibility the consider even might One . agmTargum The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, between the men of Israel and those of the nations is nations the of those and Israel of men the between Song of Songs Song of Songs 289 ed. Alexander, 195. ed. Alexander, 682a. at the expense of the respective other. The other. respective expenseofthe at the 291 induced a induced

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CEU eTD Collection start to revile Jewish religion as such, one always finds in the background a more-or-less a background the in finds always one such, as religion Jewish revile to start centuries eighth to sixth the from commentaries Christian whenever that shows again six and was. ever it as strong as is God with Jews the of relationship the Jews, the dislike nations the although that emphasize to wanted midrash this of author the that shows structure This Israel. toward God of zealousness) rather, (or jealousy and love unbreakable the and Gentiles/Rome) the and Jews the level: symbolical a (on Esau and Jacob of feelings the between discrepancy the relate concept, the of framework the say to is that list, the of element final the and first the that however, noteworthy, Saul, is It Jonathan). , of triangle problematic the quotes it (e.g., Jews to refer would jealousy and aspect ofjealousy the negative both explanation 297 296 295 294 293 292 nations: the hatred andbetween the jealousy and God with Israel between order. ofreverse rabbinical concept similar Neusner, Neusner, 27:41. Gen. 25:28. Gen. Ez. 5:13. e.g., Cf., 5:14 Num. e.g., Cf., Canticles Rabba Canticles It is but an easy step from midrashic to the the to midrashic from step easy an but is It the kings of the earth, who are likened to the waters of a river that flow that river a of waters the to likened are who earth, the of kings the should all if And many, you. for love are My quench to which able be not would sea, they together, the gather the of all waters if the “Even to Israel, likened of are House which the nations people, His to said The World idolaters.” the therein burn of to Lord World the of Creation the of on day created second Lord the the which Gehinnom, of coals blazing harbor the they like which is enmity us against the and Gehinnom, as harsh as is us bear nations the which jealousy the and death, as strong as is Divinity your of love the For love unquenchable both where passages Biblical to references contains midrash This great zealousness. a be blessed One, Holy is that Zion, for hold will He, be the blessed One Holy the that jealousy The He… loved repression the suffered that generation the Jacob: Esau Esau: loved Isaac which with love the is death as strong As Song of Songs Rabbah II, SongsSong of Rabbah (mind the pun on the duality in the usage of the Hebrew word word Hebrew the of usage the in duality the on pun the (mind . 294 And Esau hated Jacob hated Esau And

Jealousy is cruel as the grave. The jealousy that Esau held against held Esau that jealousy The grave. the as cruel is Jealousy , 8:6; translation from Neusner, from Neusner, translation , 8:6; 296

224. 292 295 and its positive variation and its positive … As strong as death is the love with which with love the is death as strong As … Song of Songs Rabbah II SongsSong of Rabbah 297 Consequently, the analysis of verses five verses of analysis the Consequently, Targum ic notion which contrasts the love the contrasts which notion ic 293 , 223-224. ) : : Now Isaac loved Isaac Now קנאה –

expressing

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CEU eTD Collection Church, or representing the Church, Christ expressed his love toward the Synagogue, but he but Synagogue, the toward love his expressed Christ Church, the representing or Church, Synagogue” is: of the “jealousy what clearly understand to Cassiodorus, of that particularly commentaries, earlier into look to needs only one cross, the on Christ is speaker the that fact the of recognition way: following the relationship sixthanalysesJewish-Christian verse, to the in traditionreference that, exegetical Commentary on the Song of Songs ontheSongof Commentary 301 300 299 298 Alcuin sister,” my and and bride my be Jews and love into between jealousy your “turn saying discrepancy By Christians. an the to includes outcome also peaceful it a that of is possibility however, eschatological concept, this of part important The Christianity. of advent the through law the of reformulation the accepting of instead customs their with remain to chose Jews the that fact the in manifested was which refusal, bitter a encountered n ute cod ntewrso ee Iiou n tes o eea uvyc.Ltldl,Littledale, cf. survey general a For others. and Isidorus Bede, of works the in echoed further And 70, PL Cassiodorus, 100, PL Alcuin, from: Translation h ocp xrse n te wrs o lun ad Cassiodorus and Alcuin of words the in expressed concept The was which Church. of the salvation rejoiceforthe from envy and this, to cease saying Synagogue, the by them reminding is to Christ salvation. their particularly envied and nations the refers of jealous This grave. the as Cruel reader’s the needs it since understand, to difficult is Alcuin of text the Although, sister my and my friend! and bride my be and love into jealousy your turn But hell. like me upon cruel was jealousy your but death) the until strong (lit. it for die would I that strong so is Synagogue, O you, for love My grave. the as cruel is Jealousy the of text This the from out you blot world. to able be not would they assemble, should strongly, 298 Compendium in Canticum Canticorum, in Canticorum, Canticum Compendium The Targum of Canticles, of Targum The Canticles, Expositio in Canticum Canticorum Canticorum Expositio Canticum in 299 Targum , 358-363. , however, is also very close to a widespread Christian widespread a to close very also is however, , ed. Alexander, 196-198. ed. Alexander, 1102d 662c. 301 s cer The clear. is 300

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CEU eTD Collection eyn n a a on Relying situation. this of basis the defining by nation chosen his and God between love of concept the in both traditions. present are, again, community respective the of election the to contributed which enemy the of wickedness and corruption the character, female the situation for love polemical God’s elements: strong same The particularly commentaries. rival a between was there that show again centuries eighth to shouldbe directed. whichthe polemics against enemy perilous a particular in and nations, the of of one as only but ally, possible a sister, a as regarded be the of text the of formation the of time the at that seems It message. eschatological the in similarity this find cannot one above, quoted understanding the andChurch. join mistake her concept eschatological Christian the forth sets 304 clearest Yuval, the give See to obliged of Alcuin. thecommentary by to represented theconcept most answer ruthless and felt other.” have must Targum, the the of of aspect eschatological the negation of weight the the considering on depends religion one of veracity “the here: applies argument the Therefore, backward. step a take could parties the of none Messiah) the was Christ (if stake at is Christians and Jews between debate crucial most the here Since “other”. the of opinion 303 Jew, 2(2004): 309-340. 79, No. “Eschatological Christianity’s and Songs, of Song the their Augustodunensis, through Honorius granted Conversa: is people Jewish the of “Synagoga Cohen, Jeremy see general in salvation Songs of Song the and the concept this of connections the On which conversion. in version a is there 121), 2008] Gruyter, Weltreligionen, monotheistischen den in in Byzantium,” in Time of End “The Magdalino, Paul the (see Antichrist as the of presented supporters are Jews which in concepts New of existence in the included despite are that, surprise concept no is a it such tradition, Testament for bases the Since age. Carolingian the in present already commentary, 302 explanation: the disregard and nullify to ever than more needed religions both concerned, was eschatology as far As Alcuin’s by evidenced as was, it century, eleventh the in full-fledged became only concept this Although Talmud Bavli, Sotah Sotah Bavli, Talmud h oa. Te cm o cran vnyr-wlig ad e ad ‘This said: he and vineyard-dwelling certain a to came They Torah.’ the to acquire in order was andit Isold mine ‘This country-house said: Johanan R. and country-house certain a to came They him. supporting Abba of son Hiyya R. Sepphoris, to Tiberias from way the on along walking once was Johanan R. of root the unfolds verse, following the to connected which is tradition, rabbinical The sixth the of fathers church the and rabbis the by six and five verses of treatment The the of interpretation the While Talmud 21a. c reference, ic ed. Wolfram Brandes and Felicitas Schmieder [Berlin: Walter de Walter [Berlin: Schmieder Felicitas and Brandes Wolfram ed. 304 h the agmTargum eiiu Rabba Leviticus 302 in which the Synagogue will finally realize finally will Synagogue the which in s srcual iia o te Christian the to similar structurally is Targum ie h olwn tr and story following the gives w ain,Nations, Two 303 , Christianity could no longer no could Christianity , 5 n 3. h rabbis, The 39. fn. 25, Endzeiten, Eschatologie Endzeiten, ”

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CEU eTD Collection Songs Israel. for love God’s equals Torah for love their that esteemed the highly from reference this quoted so contemporaries were who figures Midrashic rabbinical The means. emblematic worldly of by compilation bought be cannot it still but wealth worldly of item Judaism is intricately connected to the redemption of those who study it meticulously; see Jacob Neusner, Jacob see meticulously; it study who those of Judaism in to Scroll from Formative Symbol Torah, redemption the to connected intricately is Judaism 307 1983) 380-381. Soncino, 306 305 this thesis. in analyzed commentaries understandings ofthe with most ofthe line in female is the it that namely, interpretation, historical and a is concept second The God community). the signifies represents speaker male the that (namely, traditions interpretative of ways both of possible concept basic the follows which two reconstruction structural a is first The outline interpretation. to try will I follows numerouswhat In offers explanation. sister for younger possibilities a of appearance The interpreters. Jewish and Christian both of identifications the troubled apparently more, the even characters complicating of set intricate which, already introduced, is character another yet Here eight. verse at comes As far as eschatological concepts are concerned it is important to note here that the Torah in rabbinical in Torah the that here note to important is it concerned are concepts eschatological as far As Ex.34:28. eiiu ab Rabba Leviticus expresses the excellence of Israel and its strong relationship with God. and itsrelationship strong ofIsrael the excellence expresses According to my observations, the turning point in the exegesis of chapter eight chapter of exegesis the in point turning the observations, my to According every exceeds Torah the studying that concept the on based is here presented idea The Tiriya, of Hoshaya contemned. Abba loved He, be blessed One, the for of house love his the substance all would give man text, the him to applied generation his and air, the in soar to seen was bier Torah, love the for house his of substance the all text, the him to applied generation his died, Johanan R. was which it as says: thing days: forty a after given sold was that have thing a I acquired and That days six in done? created have I what eyes your in thing light a it ‘Is him: to said He age.’ old your for nothing left have you ‘Because Hiyya R. Torah.’ the him: answered He acquire Johanan. R. asked weeping?’ you are ‘Why weeping. began to order in it sold I and mine was olive-grove the in dwelling ‘This said: he and olive-grove an in dwelling certain a to came They Torah.’ the acquire to order in it sold I and mine was vineyard-dwelling And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights forty and days forty Lord the with there was he And He would utterly be contemned. be utterly would He 01 rnlto rmfrom Translation 30:1. 306 eiiu abh Rabbah, Leviticus (Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1988), 26-7, 118-124. Scholars Press,1988), (Atlanta: 307 That is to say, the seventh verse of of verse seventh the say, to is That When R. Hoshaya of Tiriya died, his died, Tiriya of Hoshaya R. When Song of Songs of Song with which R. Johanan loved the loved Johanan R. which with trans. H Freedman, Maurice Simon (London: Simon Maurice Freedman, H trans. in relation to them shows that shows them to relation in He would be utterly be would He with which the Holy with whichthe If a man would give would man a If .’ 305 … When … If a If Song of Song

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CEU eTD Collection that the speaker of the passage is God, who – addressing the Jews – reveals that their younger their that reveals – Jews the addressing – who God, is passage the of speaker the that says he, commentary,when his understanding in uponthis relies forexample, Bede, different. in onlycommentaries. rarely appears it traditions, exegetical both by previously implemented traditions, both in interpretation arrived. already has Messiah the that realize yet not does who sister, younger their is religion Jewish the – view of point eschatological an from – that assert could interpreters Christian hand, ofthe Law. Mosaic importance to understand fail the still Christians that mean could fertility) of age the reached yet not has it say, to is (that breasts no has yet as sister religion. Jewish of sister younger the is Church Christian the – view historical a to according – that claim other. the as understood be can Christian character this a perspective from and rabbinical a from Both sister. younger the of identity the with deal 313 312 Kessler, See Old “The Reuther, the eschatology. of exegete to any to relation solution reasonable a in as appeared Testament has it that surmise to correct seems it Christ, of 311 Yuval, see tradition 310 309 308 a is in whichthere ten, ofverse interpretation difficulty in their couldthis overcome traditions the of chapters previous in speaker feminine singular, a with themselves identified have Jews and Christians the both that fact the the and of speakers plurality the between contradiction the is interpretation of ways both in difficulty stronger. grow eventually will but weak, still is – Church the – sister See Bede, PL 91, Bede, PL See Littledale, Cf. advent the with law the of interchangeability the concerning tradition Pauline from stems concept this Since Jewish millennium first the in Gentiles the of proselytizing the and days of end the between connections On Yuval, See. Pope, The second historical way of understanding the identity of the younger sister is sister younger the of identity the understanding of way historical second The to traditions both for way simple a offered identification of way structural, first, The The Song of Songs Songof The 311 Even though this understanding seems to be in accordance with the basic rule of rule basic the with accordance in be to seems understanding this though Even Adversos Judaeos Two Nations, Nations, Two A Commentary on the Song of Songs, Songs, ontheSongof A Commentary 309 Two Nations Two In Cantica Canticorum Allegorica Expositio, CanticorumIn Allegorica Cantica Moreover, from a historical point of view the statement that the younger the that statement the view of point historical a from Moreover, , 679. 26. Traditition,” 176. Traditition,” , 112-113; cf. Schubert, , 112-113;cf. 312 n Itouto t eihCrsin Relations Jewish-Christian to Introduction An 367-368. Christentum und Judentum, undJudentum, Christentum 1214d-1215a. 308 og o Songs of Song On the one hand, rabbis could rabbis hand, one the On 48-49. 313 The only apparent only The oee, both However, . 310 On the other the On 2 cf. 42; , 72

CEU eTD Collection represents the other), the term posed several problems for both commentary traditions. for both commentary problems several posed the the term other), represents sister” “little the that (namely, interpretation of direction self-evident the despite However, to ofinterpretation. this way not is an exception “younger sister” term seehere, the can reader the As them. between relationship the to referring as interpreted be to likely particularly were mutual the Following connectedness, interpreters. and past shared their of Christian Christians and Jews both of the awareness and Jewish the both for importance ofdelighting her lover. capable perfectly is she and breasts, has she and wall a indeed is she that says ten, verse in lead the her. guard to want speakers the that seems it and yet, adolescence of one) chapter from mother” my of “sons my and foundfavor.” one Iinthat eyesas thenhis was wall, towers: like breasts a am “I speaker: female the to sister younger the connecting of possibility connectedness is presented in Yuval, in presented is connectedness 318 317 316 315 314 relations family eight verse understand era the the from interpreters Christian the to of Most text. the in regard mentioned in assumption Christians and my Jews corroborate of connectedness to the seem concerning commentaries Christian the of Most compared? is she which to group older the is what sister, younger the be to understood be to is Jews the of congregation the if problem: this of inverse the faced commentators Jewish woman. immature still and young a as described suddenly is bridegroom, its of attention and grace the of worthy and mature as depicted point this to up was which Church, the why explain to has interpreter the that mean would it hand, other the On Church. the with sister younger the An example of how family relations can be introduced in both Jewish and Christian thinking about their about thinking Christian and Jewish both in introduced be can relations family how of example An Keel, See Ibid. Exum, 8:10 Cant. For a Christian interpreter, it could have been, on the one hand, just natural to identify to natural just hand, one the on been, have could it interpreter, Christian a For the in relations family earlier, mentioned have I As the or Jerusalem” of “daughters the (either speaker plural a whom about sister, This Song of Songs, Songs, Song of Das Hohelied 256. , 253 Two Nations Two 317 315 , 11-14. speaks is said to be young, not revealing the signs the revealing not young, be to said is speaks Song of Songs of Song 314 316 She, however, taking however, She, were of crucial of were 318 family ties family 73

CEU eTD Collection Isidore testify to a similar understanding: a similar testify to Isidore of words The tradition). scriptural Jewish the from different elements including religion, on Church Jewish the to contrast in but, Scripture Holy the of of principles on based (i.e., principles individual formation the in resulted which matter, the in involved get to refused gentiles. the of Church the of disciples young the educating and defending in Synagogue the of help the for asked Christ) (i.e., bridegroom the Church the of infancy the during that idea the represent and Cassiodorus) and Bede by others, among says:example, for Alcuin, Synagogue. the of shadow the in still is which Church, young the to referring as 322 321 320 319 Synagogue the to superior also but Synagogue, the from different simply not is Church the Judaism. of that from entity separate a as Church the of establishment the to led that nature, messianic Christ’s recognize to consequently, and, covenant the enter to gentiles the for ripe was time the that recognize to refusal Synagogue’s Bright, Bright, PL 83, Isidorus, Pope, Cf. 100, PL Alcuin, ne hs woe cnet le eiu ttmn, nml, ta t ws the was it that namely, statement, serious a lies concept whole this Under unlearned. and weak the to guard forthem the be easier will it that so Scriptures, divine the of knowledge the is, this silver, of battlements it and faith to firm add us let philosophy, have in instructed it) it in (people are there in if or nature, pure some if even of said: been battlement have a would her it upon if build As will silver: we wall, a is Church) the is (that she If (expressed, tradition Christian previous the with harmony in are words Alcuin’s done. Word. the of mystery is the she be should what telling through answers, Bridegroom the silent, is when Synagogue faith the Since the sister, to our led with is she done When be for? to in spoken right small Synagogue, still o you, what is Logos: to the gentiles seems of mysteries the the assuming of of capable not is Church it and the numbers certainly saying: plainly he if was As for? spoken is she when day the on sister, our for do we shall What Synagogue: ofthe the as aboutBridegroom it talks Word. He the for preaching suitable less was it it when and concerned, When are numbers as gentiles. far as small, the still was of out born was it when Church early the represents It The KingdomThe God of The Song of Songs Song of The 319 Expositio in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis Canticum in Expositio in Canticorum, Canticum Compendium , 679. ,

257. 662d-663a. 322 This idea, on a further level, implies that implies level, further a on idea, This ,

1131c. 320 The Synagogue, however, Synagogue, The 321

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CEU eTD Collection n te besns o iie giac. Te frt eeet o hs udrtnig i already is understanding this of the in represented element first The guidance. divine of blessings the in partaking and Torah the learning in Jews of excellence the to referring as 8-10 verses of plot the of sister younger the and learning, in excellence their Jews, Babylonian of poverty supposed prevalent a upon Based general. in Jews Babylonian the toway some in referring as younger sister the understand period, early relatively a from those particularly interpretations, the of most that however, note, to important is It text. the of sister younger Jews) with the community (the its own alsoidentifies since it interpretation Christian Synagogue lacks. ofChrist,whichthe instructions from the gentleness) inherited and (charity beauty inward and instruction philosophical of members encompasses it as insofar 12. 324 323 upheld: is status this tellsprivileged and why how also it Israel, of nature chosen the and excellence the emphasizing Besides additions. important the of compilation later The study. continuous their and laws Mosaic the to relation its on based Israel of excellence the recount Laqish b. Simeon R. and Yohanan R. both of interpretations See Talmud A Tractate Baba Batra Chapters 1-2 Chapters BabaBatra A Tractate Song of Songs of Song atce ab Rabba Canticles Talmud Pesahim Bavli, in the coming age are going to come and make the case against Israel before Israel against case the make and come to going are age coming the in world the of nations the over watch who princes angelic the All Simon: R. b. sister. a little have We brief this in encapsulated is concept the of gist The ofstudy.houses and assembly of houses to refers towers, like are towers’ like are breasts the ‘my with line in verse the and interprets Israel, of community the wall’ a am ‘I it: explained Raba Laqish which in manner b. Simeon R. But sages. the of to disciples refers towers, like are my breasts and Torah the to refers wall a am I towers.’ like are breasts my and wall a am the ‘I following: derive the not from fact why same “But him: to said he Yohanan, R. before came he When the to similar is literature midrashic the in interpretation Jewish prevalent The

Bavli , , Baba Talmud together,

Bathra rm te post- the from 324 87a, 7b-8a; translation from from translation 7b-8a; . In 323 This refers to Israel. R. Azariah in the name of R. Judah of R. name the in Azariah R. Israel. to refers This Kiddushin Baba Batra Baba an interpretation of the text developed which understood the understood which developed text the of interpretation an , trans. Jacob Neusner (Atlanta: Scholars Press,1992), 42. Scholars (Atlanta: Jacob Neusner , trans. 49b, Talmud it said: is Sanhedrin The Talmud of Babylonia, an American Translation American an Babylonia, of Talmud The c pro utr h ae ie ih some with idea same the musters period ic 24a. Talmud ic idea which connects the connects which idea ic Talmud c rfrne The reference. ic

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Song of Songs Rabba Songs Song of have a little sister: this refers to those who came up from the Exile. Little: have Exile. you If the Kahana: R. b. from Abba R. up numbers…Said in came few were who they because those to refers this sister: little a have We Exile: the from up came who those of speak to verses the interpret Rabbis the Moreover, privileged its retains sister, younger the Israel, clear. is midrash this of claim The to such for suitable not is generation his the uponHillel Elder their Theyeyes set happen. but Spirit, Holy the receiving of An Jericho. worthy is who man one you among is in There them, to said and forth Gedia came echo of house the of room upper the in Spirit voting sages of Holy case the the was There died, echo. the of use make had would they so, Even Malachi Israel. from ceased and Zechariah, Haggai, prophets, final effects it the Once authority: Tannaite comes, on taught been has Atonement behalf…It their in atonement of Day the when transgressions, their through year the of days the all themselves soil Israelites the however of case the in so One, child, a is he Because why? – Holy him stop not do people does, he The whatever child, go? not do those them: have to while say will He, be blessed Gehenna, these to down world, go these the come of Lord How blood. shed have those and saying: blood shed have These fornicated. have those He, be and fornicated have These idols. worshipped have those and blessed idols, worshipped One, Holy the seen the benches in the filled with Babylonians, look forward look Babylonians, with filled Israel of Land the in benches the seen , 8:8-10; translation from: Neusner, from:Neusner, translation , 8:8-10; Canticles Rabba Canticles gives yet another explanation for the verse, in which in verse, the for explanation another yet gives We have a little sister. sister. little a have We Song of Songs Rabbah II SongsSong of Rabbah 325 Just as in the case of a of case the in as Just , 232. bath kol bath

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CEU eTD Collection argumentation concerning the final chapter of the ofthe chapter final the concerning argumentation other’s each upon depended and interrelated were centuries eighth to sixth the of tradition Christian the and concept rabbinical the much how shows ultimately This Torah. the of laws is concept This the observes individual the which in way the in only redemption, to connected also ultimately highlighted. is God, with connection constant her and Israel of election the Instead, offerings. or the redeemed, are Temple nations the which through way the the as Church the with of stance eschatological deal not does concept This done. is study this where places the and laws Mosaic the of studying process the but teachings, Christian the not are towers the and walls the Israel, but Church the not is sister younger The point. focal every at tradition Christian the oppose to seems compilation Midrashic the of concept the ofthe Messiah. advent about brings the tribes, which twelve reunion ofthe the rdto n h eih taiin ae b eiiin i otaito. Wie a similar 328 a While contradiction. 327 in definition by 326 are tradition Jewish the and tradition Christian the of understanding ecclesiological the communities, respective their to relation the of text whole the consequently, and, God, for figure allegorical an as book Biblical the of protagonist male the understood traditions both nation. Since Jewish the representing as character female the understand commentaries Jewish correspondent The Church. Christian the signifying as character female the interpret they is the understand that those chose I interpretations Christian of pool vast the From ages. middle early and antiquity late the from commentaries Reeves, Reeves, 1:13 Lam. Song of Songs Rabba Songs Song of In my thesis, I focused my attention on the interrelation between Christian and Jewish and Christian between interrelation the on attention my focused I thesis, my In Babylonia, of Jews the with Palestine of Jews the of reunion the is it words, other In Messiah. net tothe draw a is presence ofBabylonians The feet. my for net a spread has He come? How Messiah. the of coming the for Trajectories in Near Eastern Apocalyptics Eastern Near in Trajectories , 8:10; translation from:Neusner, translation , 8:10; CONCLUSIONS , 201-204. Song of Songs RabbahII Songs Song of Song of Songs of Song Song of Songs Song of Songs Songs of Song in an ecclesiological way, that way, ecclesiological an in . 327 , 233. as representing God’s representing as 328 Insummary, 326

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CEU eTD Collection high-medieval Jewish-Christian polemics expressed in relation to the to the in relation expressed polemics Jewish-Christian high-medieval of workings the understanding in importance crucial of is corpus early-medieval late- antique, this of study the Thus, centuries. later of traditions exegetical polemical clearly the of establishment the toward step first the was oppositions) and similarities (both connections SongsSong of the of exegesis the soon and entirely traditions interpretative certain the rule to start they proportion, a reach interpretations such of amount the when Furthermore, enemy. the respective at aiming polemics direct also and role historical and eschatology concerning claims eiv ht te cmetr-rdtos I hv rsne n m hss their thesis, my in presented have I commentary-traditions the that believe I would be nothing else but clear groundforpolemics. but clear nothing else be would Song of Songs. 79

CEU eTD Collection Holy Bible Douay Rheims Version Rheims Douay Bible Holy Canticorum.” In in Cantica “Fragmenta ofAlexandria. Cyrill In Canticorum.” in “Expositio Cantica Cassiodorus. In Acta Apostolorum.” ______. “In In Expositio.” Allegorica Canticorum Cantica “In the Venerable. Bede In Exposito.” Canticorum “In Canticum Apponius. Songof Solomon. Ecclesiastes, onScripture9.,Proverbs Commentaries Christian Ancient “De ofMilan. Ambrose In Canticorum.” Canticum in “Compendium Alcuin. Mekhilta According to Rabbi Ishmael to Rabbi According Mekhilta Frederick. Richard Littledale, Rabbah. Leviticus “Expositio ofSeville. Isidore Great. “ the Gregory ofNyssa,Gregory Canticorum.” Canticum “In ofElvira, Gregory Medieval Sources. Medieval Garnier 1850. Fratres, al. J. Paris: Migneet P. ed. 1849. Fratres, Paris:Garnier et al. Migne 1960. Brill, Leiden: Herman Langerbeck. ed. Turnhoult, 1967. Brepols: Bulhart. Vinzenz 1865. Fratres, Paris:Garnier et al. Migne Garnier1865. Fratres, Paris: Garnier1850. Fratres, Paris: Garnier1862. Fratres, al. J. Paris: Migneet P. ed. duCerf,1997. Paris:Edition Neyrand. L. Bernard de Vregille, ed. Press, 2005. Intervarsity IL: DownersGrove, Thomas Oden. C. J.Wright, Ed. Robert 1993. Fratres, 1863. Garnier Fratres, al. Paris: et SOURCES PRIMARY “Homiliae XV in Canticum Canticorum.” In Canticorum.” Canticum XV in “Homiliae Trans. H. Freedman, Maurice Simon. London: Soncino, 1983. London: Soncino, Simon. Freedman,Trans. H. Maurice Super Cantica Canticorum Expoisitio.” In Canticorum Cantica Super Virginitate.” In Virginitate.” London: Joseph Masters, 1869. Masters, London: Joseph in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis.” In Salomonis.” Canticorum Canticum in A Commentary on the Song of Songs from Songof and Songs ancient onthe A Commentary (Saint Benedict Pr, 2009) Pr, Benedict (Saint BIBLIOGRAPHY . Ed. Jacob Neusner. Atlanta: Scholars Press, Scholars 1998. Atlanta: . Ed. Neusner. Jacob Patrologia Corpus Christianorum Corpus Christianorum Patrologia Latina Patrologia Corpus Christianorum Corpus Patrologia Latina Patrologia Patrologia Latina Patrologia 16, ed. J. P. Migne. Paris: Garnier J. Migne.Paris: P. 16, ed. Patrologia Graeca Patrologia Patrologia Latina Patrologia Gregorii Nysseni Opera Nysseni Gregorii 92, Series Latina 69,ed. Latina Series Patrologia Latina Patrologia ed. J. P. Migne et al. J. Migneet P. ed. 70, ed. J. Migne. P. 70, ed. 100, ed. J. Migne P. 100,ed. Patrologia Latina Latina Patrologia Series Latina19, Series 91, ed. J. P. 91,ed. 79, ed. J. P. 79,ed. J.

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CEU eTD Collection Philo of Carpasius. “Enarratio ofCarpasius. Philo I-II. Translation anAnalytical Kahana, deRab Pesiqta I-II Kahana de Rav Pesiqta In Canticorum.” in Canticum _____. “Homiliae Canticorum.”In in Canticum _____. “Commentarium Origen Canticorum.”In in Canticum ofAncyra.“Commentarium Nilus Rabba, Deuteronomy, Midrash Tractate Baba Batra Chapters 1-2, an American Translation. Translation. Chapters Baba1-2,an American Batra Tractate ofCyrrhus.Theodoret “ Canticles Targumof The Commentators andMedieval Christian by Early Songs, Interpreted Songof The I-II Songs Rabbah Song of ישמעאל מכילתא דרבי מגילות וחמש תורה על חומשי מדרש רבהחמשה חומשי תורה וחמש מגילות Targum . The Song of Songs Commentary andHomilies. Commentary Songof. The Songs Jacob Neusner. Atlanta: Scholars Press, Scholars 1992. Atlanta: Neusner. Jacob 1865. Fratres, al. Paris:Garnier Migneet P. J. 1968. Brill, Leiden: 2003. Eerdmans, MI: Rapids, Norris Grand A. Jr. Richard 1863. Fratres, Paris:Garnier et al. Migne 1987. Press, 1987. ofAmerica, Seminary Theological andIntroduction. Commentary with Passages andParallel Fragments andGenizah Manuscripts Known Garnier1862. Fratres, Paris: 1925. dreiHahrhunderte ersten der Schriftsteller 1957. Press, Newman duCerf,1964. Editions Paris: Guérard. Marie-Gabrielle 1887. Vilnius: Romm, Scrolls] and the Five Torah Books ontheof [Midrash Five Megilot] Rabba veHamesh 1944. Canticum.” In Canticum.”

[ Mekhilta deRabi Ishmael deRabi Mekhilta “Interpretatio in Canticum Canticorum.” In in Canticorum.” Canticum “Interpretatio The Bible in Aramaic. in Bible The Aramaic. , Ed Alexander S. Philip. London: T&T Clark, 2003. Clark, Philip.T&T S. London: , Ed Alexander . Ed Jacob Neusner. Atlanta: Scholars Press, Scholars 1989. Atlanta: . Ed Neusner. Jacob , According to an Oxford Manuscript, with Variants from all with Variants Manuscript, to anOxford According in Canticum Canticorum.”In in Canticum ed. H. Freedman, Maurice Simon. London: Soncino, 1983. Simon. London: H.Maurice Freedman, ed. Ed. Bernard Mandelbaum. New York: The York: Jewish New Bernard Mandelbaum. Ed.

[Midrash Rabba alHamisha Humshe Torah Humshe Rabba alHamisha [Midrash ].

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CEU eTD Collection de Lange, Nicholas Robert Michael. Lange, Nicholas de ofSongs, Song and Augustodunensis, the Conversa:Honorius Jeremy. “Synagoga Cohen, Song Percy,and the ofSongs.” jr. “Herder, Robert T. Clark, Robert. Chazan, John. Bright, Daniel. Boyarin, ofSeptimius Time from the Roman Empire Church,and the Christian the Y. “Israel, Baer, Development Allegory: onthe Notes “The S. ofSongs Historical Song as Philip Alexander, Green, Arthur. “Shekhinah, The Virgin Mary, and the Song ofSongs,ona Song Reflections and the Virgin Mary, The “Shekhinah, Arthur. Green, Robert. Gordis, D. Christian Ginsburg, Song Plot ofthe ofSongs.” “The Michael. Friedlaender, Explanatio.” “InCanticorum Canticum S. K. Frank, J. Cheryl Exum, השירים, רות, התנ''ךאיכה שיר מגילות עולם אנציקלופדיה עולם התנ''ך מגילות שיר השירים, רות, איכה Commentary. Commentary. Ecclesiastes) 648-655. 4 (1894): 370-383. 2005. Ruth, LamentationsSongs, Echa Rut, haSirim, Palestine in Third-Century Relations Jew. “Eschatological Christianity’s 1100. Press, 2004. University Press, Abingdon York: 1952. New of313.” the ofToleration Edict to Severus 14-30. McNamara Martin Tradition."In Exegetical of an 26, no. 1 (2002): 1-52. 26, no.1(2002): Context.” Historical Symbol in its Kabbalistic The Kingdom of God The Biblical Concept and Its Meaning andIts Church. The for Concept Biblical The of Kingdom God The SECONDARY LITERATURE SECONDARY The Song of Songs and Lamentations, A Study, Modern Translation and Translation Modern A andLamentations, SongofStudy, The Songs Fashioning Jewish Identity in Medieval Western Christendom. Christendom. Western Medieval Identityin Fashioning Jewish Song of Songs, aCommentary Song of Intertextuality and the Reading of Midrash. of Midrash. Reading andthe Intertextuality . New York: Ktav, 1970 – reprint from 1857. 1970–reprint . New Ktav, York: New York: Ktav Publishing, 1954. KtavPublishing, York: New The Song of Songs and Coheleth (Commonly Called The Book The of Called (Commonly andCoheleth SongofThe Songs , ed. Kevin J. Cathcart. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1996: Press, Academic Sheffield Sheffield: KevinJ. Cathcart. , ed. ]

[ Encylopedia of the World of the Old Testament, Scrolls, Song of Testament,Scrolls, Old World ofthe ofthe Encylopedia ] , Origen and the Jews: Studies in Jewish-Christian andthe Studies Origen Jews: ed. Yichak Navon. Jerusalem: Revivim, 1987. Revivim, Jerusalem: Yichak Navon. ed. Targumic and Cognate Studies: Essays in Honor Studies:of Essays andCognate Targumic ”

Speculum . Cambridge: Canbridge University Press, 1975. University Canbridge . Cambridge: . Louisville, Kentucky: John Press, Kentucky: Knox . Louisville,

[ Encyclopedia Olam haTana’ch Megilot Sir Olam haTana’ch Encyclopedia Scripta HierosolymitanaScripta Vigilae Christianae Vigilae 79, No. 2 (2004): 309-340. 79,No. 2(2004): Association for Jewish Studies Review, Jewish for Association The Jewish Quarterly Review, Review, JewishQuarterly The PMLA PMLA Bloomington: Indiana UP, 1990. UP, Bloomington: Indiana 61, no.4(1946): 1087- 39, no.4(1985): 7 (1961): 79-149. 7(1961): Cambridge:

6, No.

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CEU eTD Collection Kimelman, Reuven. “Rabbi Yohanan and Origen on the Song of Songs: A Third-Century A Origenonthe of Songs: Song and Yohanan Reuven. “Rabbi Kimelman, and the ChurchFathers Greek between the Encounter Exegetical ______. “The Edward. Kessler, Othmar. Keel, Sarah. Kamin, Isaac. Kalimi, In onthe ofSongs.” Song Commentary ofBede’s Sources G. Patristic Arthur “The Holder, Marc. Hirschman, Ronald E. Heine, Song onthe ofSongs.” Perspectives Vineyards:Greek Foxes “Of C. and Anselm Hagedorn, Lightstone, Jack N. “The Rabbi’s Bible: The Canon of the Hebrew Bible and the Bible Early Hebrew The Canonofthe JackN. Bible: Rabbi’s “The Lightstone, of Songs.” Song In “The Francis. Landy, Rabba.” to Canticles Tobias. “Prolegomena Samuel Lachs, Edmée. Kingsmill, Christopher. J. King, 163-185. Peabody, MA: 2002). Hendrickson, 163-185. Peabody, In Guild.” Rabbinic UP, Harvard 1987. Kermode. Frank Cambridge: and 3.(1965): 235-255. 55. No. 2009. Marriage-Song. Perfect Bridegroom’s 595. Disputation.” Christian Jewish Rabbis.”In Palestinian Press, 2010. University Press, 1991. Magnes Jerusalem: Scripture]. ofthe interpretation in the Jewsand Christians [Between 2002. Controversies. andExternal of Shadow Internal the PatristicaStudia Antiquity 2007. Academic, Baker Testamentum, Vetus Early Jewish Exegesis and Theological Controversy, andTheological Exegesis Early Jewish Das Hohelied. Das בפרשנות לנוצרים המקרא יהודים בין יהודים לנוצרים בפרשנות המקרא . New York: State University of New York, 1996. York, University ofNew State York: . New An Introduction to Jewish-Christian Relations. Relations. to Jewish-Christian Introduction An Reading the Old Testament with the AncientChurch with the the Testament Reading Old A Rivalry of Genius, Jewish and Christian Biblical Interpretation in Late in Interpretation Biblical JewishandChristian Genius, of A Rivalry The Song of Songs and the Eros of God. of God. SongsEros andthe Songof The Origen on the Song of Songs as the Spirit of Scripture, the Spirit Songsof the onthe as Origen Songof XXXIV. Leuven: Peeters, 2001: 370-376. Peeters, Leuven: XXXIV. The Canon Debate Canon The 53, No. 3 (2003): 337-352. 53, No. 3 (2003): Zürich: Theologischer Verlag, 1992. Theologischer Zürich: Studia PatristicaStudia Harvard Theological ReviewHarvard Theological The Literary Guide to the Bible, Bible, Guideto the Literary The

[Ben Jehudim leNocrim beParshanut haMikra] beParshanut leNocrim [Ben Jehudim Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. University Oxford Oxford: , ed. Lee Martin McDonald, James A. James Sanders, Martin McDonald, , ed. Lee XXXIV. Leuven: Peeters, 2001: 395-413. Peeters, Leuven: XXXIV. The Jewish Quarterly Review, Quarterly Jewish The Nijmegen: RoyalGorcum, Van Nijmegen: Oxford: Oxford University Press, OxfordOxford: University Cambridge: CambridgeCambridge:

73. No. 3-4. (1980): 567- 73.No. 3-4.(1980): Studies in Scriptures in Scriptures Studies in . Grand Rapids, MI: Rapids, . Grand ed. Robert Alter ed. Robert

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CEU eTD Collection ______. Jacob. Neusner, E. Roland Murphy, John. Moorehead, M. “ Esther Menn, In in ofTime Byzantium.” End Paul. “The Magdalino, in “Canon and Interpretation,” Hugo, Lundhaug, Oswald. Loretz, orthe The Spirit: “The Letter Zhang. Longxi, the in Motifs “Apologetic Raphael. Loewe, Schubert, Kurt. Kurt. Schubert, Helmut. Riedlinger, Radford. “The Rosemary Reuther, John C., Reeves, H. Marvin Pope, Friedrich. Ohly, Hohenliedkommentaren des Mittelalters des Hohenliedkommentaren Press, 1991. New York: University York 174-189. New in Conflict Christianity In Anti-Judaism.” ofChristian Exegesis Reader. Apocalypse Doubleday, York: 1977. New 1200. um bis Abendlandes des 1988. Songs. of 423-446. Clark, 2000: T&T London: andChristianity Early Judaism Scripturein of Interpretation The de Gruyter, Walter 2008. 133.Berlin: Weltreligionen, monotheistischen 2010. Tusculanum, Museum 67-91.Copenhagen: Thomassen, 1971. Verlag, Neukirchener Poetry Press, 1966. University Harvard andTransformations Origins Motifs: Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1958. Verlagsbuchhandlung, .” .” Christentum und Judentum im Wandel im Zeiten der undJudentum Christentum Torah, from Scroll to Symbol in Formative Judaism in Formative to fromSymbol Scroll Torah, Midrash in ContextMidrash Comparative Literature Literature Comparative Hohenlied-Studien, Grundzüge einer Geschichte der Hohenliedauslegung der Geschichte Grundzüge einer Hohenlied-Studien, Liebeslied. althebräische Poesie 1,Das althebräischen zur Studien The Song of Songs a New Translation with Introduction andCommentary. with Translation Introduction Songs aNew Songof The Press, 1990. Fortress Minneapolis: Trajectories in Near Eastern Apocalyptics, A Postrabbinic Jewish A Postrabbinic Apocalyptics, Eastern in Near Trajectories Gregory the Great. Gregory Targum The Song of Songs, a Commentary on the Book of Canticles or the Song the or of ontheCanticles Book aCommentary SongofThe Songs, Die Makellosigkeit der Kirche inLateinischen Den Kirche der Die Makellosigkeit ofthe Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2005. Literature, ofBiblical Society Atlanta: , from Late Antiquity to the Reformation, to Late Antiquity from Song of SongsSong of Adversos Judaeos Adversos . Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1993. Fortress . Philadelphia: The Early Church Fathers. London: Routledge, 2005. Routledge, London: ChurchFathers. Early The Weisbaden: Franz Steiner Verlag, 1958. Verlag, FranzSteiner Weisbaden: ed. Wolfram Brandes and Felicitas Schmieder, 119- Schmieder, and Felicitas Brandes Wolfram ed. 39, No. 3 (1987): 193-217. 39, No. 3 (1987): Targum , ed. Alexander Altmann, 159-196.Cambridge: Altmann, , ed. Alexander Song of Songs and the Dynamics of Historical Allegory.” In Allegory.” ofHistorical the Dynamics and . Muenster: Essential Papers on Judaism and onJudaism Papers Essential Canon and Canonicity, andCanonicity, Canon to the Song of Songs.” In the ofSongs.” Song to Traditition in the Church Fathers: The ChurchFathers: in the Traditition Endzeiten, Eschatologie in den in Eschatologie Endzeiten, Aschendorffsche , Allegoresis, and the and , Allegoresis, . Vienna: Böhlau, 2003. . Vienna: . Atlanta: Scholars Press, Scholars . Atlanta: ed. Jeremy Cohen, ed.

, ed. Craig A. Evans. Craig A. , ed. ed. Einar ed.

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CEU eTD Collection Zlotowitz, Meir,and NossonScherman Zlotowitz, Israel Jacob. Yuval, Rabbah.” in Polemic Leviticus Burton L. “Anti-Christian Visotzky, “. Efraim. Urbach, Songs. Songof The and GunterStemberger. Hermann L. Strack, Sacha. Stern, ofSongs.” H. Song M. “The Segal, Seth. Schwartz, Sources andRabbinic Talmudic,Midrashic from Anthologized with aCommentary Rashi Ages Middle andthe Antiquity JewishResearch for Academy American debate] Jewish-Christian and the Songs Song ofOrigento the of and the interpretations be praised memory their let our sages, of [Interpretations haJehudi-Nocri] leShirvehaVikuach haSirim Origenes VePerushei Press, 2001. Liturgical The Minnesota: Collegeville, al. 1991. Clark, T&T Edinburgh: Press, 2001. University Jewish Identity in Early Rabbinic Writings. Early Writings. Rabbinic Identityin Jewish . Brooklyn: Mesorah Publications, 1988. Publications, Mesorah . Brooklyn: Imperialism and Jewish Society 200 B.C.E to 640C.E. 200B.C.E Society andJewish Imperialism היהודי-נוצרי השירים אוריגיניסלשיר והוויכוח חז''ל ופירושי דרשות חז''ל ופירושי אוריגיניס לשיר השירים והוויכוח היהודי-נוצרי Berit Olam, Studies in Hebrew Narrative & Poetry. Ed. Dianne Bergant et Bergant Poetry. Ed. Dianne & Narrative Studiesin Hebrew Olam, Berit Two Nations in Your Womb, Perceptions of Jews and Christians in Late in ofandChristians Jews YourPerceptions Womb, Nationsin Two Vetus Testamentum Vetus . Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2006. Press, ofCalifornia Angeles:University . Los .

Sir haShirim, an Allegorical Translation Basedupon Translation anAllegorical haShirim, Sir Introduction to theandMidrash. Talmud to Introduction Tabriz Tabriz 56 (1990): 83-100. 56 (1990): 30 (1960/61): 148-170. , 12, No. 4 (1962): 470-490. , 12,No. 4(1962): Leiden: Brill, 1994. Leiden: Brill, Proceedings of the Proceedings Princeton: Princeton Princeton: ” [Drashot Chazal [Drashot

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Holy Bible Douay Rheims Version Douay Bible Rheims Holy APPENDIX – THE TEXT OF THE SONG OF SONGS’ FROM ITS OF FROM SONGS’ SONG OF THE –THE TEXT APPENDIX (Saint Benedict Pr, 2009). Pr, Benedict (Saint ENGLISH EDITION ENGLISH 329

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CEU eTD Collection in our land: [13] The fig tree hath put forth her green figs: the vines in flower yield their floweryield vines in green figs: the put forth [13]her hath ourland: fig tree The in heard is turtle voice ofthe the come: is the ofpruning intime ourland, appeared have flowers and gone. [12]The rain over is past,the winter now [11]For is one, and come. beautiful my dove, my love, make Arise, haste, me: speaketh to beloved [10]Behold my lattices. through the windows, looking through ourwall,the looking behind he standeth Behold younghart. a roe, ora [9]like is hills. beloved skipping My over the mountains, upon the leaping cometh behold ofmy he beloved, voice please. she [8]The to awake,till beloved the not up,normake youstir fields, that hartsofthe, bythe and the roes, ofJerusalem, daughters you,O [7]Iadjure ye me. embrace hand shall head, andright his handunder is my left His [6] with love. because Ilanguish with apples: about me compass upwith flowers, [5] Stay me me. in in order charity ofwine,he set the [4]me cellar into brought myHe palate. to sweet was andfruit his undershadow, his Isatdown desired: whom the sons. among beloved my is woods, so ofthe the trees appleamong [3]As tree the the lovedaughters. among my so thorns, is among lily [2]As ofthe the lily valleys. oftheand the field, the flower [1] Iam Chapter 3 Chapter ofBether. mountains a younghart uponthe to a roe, beloved,or to my be like, Return: shadows retire. and the the [17] day break, Till lilies, among the who and Ito him tofeedeth me, beloved flourished. [16]My hath for ourvineyard vines: destroythe that foxes uslittle [15]Catch the comely. and thy face voice sweet, is thy for in my sound ears: thy voice let thy shew face, ofthe me wall, places in the hollow rock, ofthe [14]Mythe come: clefts dove in beautifulone, and love, my my Arise, smell. sweet

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CEU eTD Collection [11] Go forth, ye daughters of Sion, and see king Solomon in the diadem, wherewith his wherewith diadem, Solomon in the ofSion,andking see forth, ye[11] Go daughters ofJerusalem. forthe charity daughters with midst he covered the going up ofpurple: ofgold, the the seat ofsilver, he made thereof pillars wood [10]The litterofthe ofLibanus: him made a Solomon [9]King thehath night. in fears because of sword thigh, man's uponhis in war:every expert and swords, most [8] All holding bed ofSolomon? the ofIsrael, surrounded most valiant ofthe valiantones threescore Behold ofthe[7] the perfumer? ofall powders and ofmyrrh, spices, and frankincense, aromatical of ofsmoke a pillar as upbythe desert, goeth please.that she [6]Whoshe is beloved, till my not up,norawake youstir fields, that hartsofthe bythe and the roes ofJerusalem, daughters you,O [5]Iadjure bore me. ofher that chamber into house, the and my mother's into him go,tillIbring him not let and Iwill him: myIheld whom loveth: soul Ifoundhim them, by passed [4] Ihad a little When my whom loveth? soul him, youseen Have foundme: city, keep the who [3]The and Ifoundhim watchmen him, not. Isought soulloveth: my whom him broadseek ways and the Iwill the streets the in city: goabout rise,and will [2] Iwill foundhim Isoughthim, not. and my whom loveth: bynightsoul him Isought [1] Inmy bed Thy cheeks are as a piece of a pomegranate, besides that which lieth hid within. [4]Thy neck, hid whichlieth that besides ofa pomegranate, piece cheeksare a as Thy speech sweet. and lace: thy asscarlet [3] lips are them. a barrenThy among there none is and with twins, theall washing, upfrom whichcome are shorn that flocksofsheep, as teeth Thy Galaad. [2] upfrom mount ofgoats,whichCome Thy hairflocks hid is as within. is what besides doves' thou! thyeyes, eyesare art how thou, my love, beautiful art [1] How beautiful 4 Chapter joy the heart. ofhis day ofthe and in dayespousals, ofhis in the him crowned mother

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CEU eTD Collection cinnamon, with all the trees of Libanus, myrrh and aloes with all the chief perfumes. [15] perfumes. The the all chief and aloes with ofLibanus, myrrh the all trees with cinnamon, and cane [14]Spikenard sweet and saffron, with spikenard. orchard. Cypress fruits ofthe the with ofpomegranates a paradise plants are sealed aup.[13]Thy fountain enclosed, garden a enclosed, spouse, [12] a is garden my offrankincense. sister, My smell the as garments, andofthy the tongue; smell are under milk thy honey aand dropping as honeycomb, are [11]Thy spices. lips, my spouse, aromatical above ointments all ofthy the smell sweet and than wine, more beautiful thyare breasts my spouse! thymy breasts, sister, beautifulare How [10] ofthy neck. and with one hair with one ofthy heart eyes, thoumy hastwounded spouse, my my [9]mysister, hastwounded heart, leopards. mountainsThou from ofthe the lions, the ofthe dens and Hermon,from the top ofAmana,Sanir from the top from crowned be thou shalt from Libanus, come come: my spouse, from thee.Libanus, [8]Come in not is a spot and there my love, O [7]Thou artfair, offrankincense. all hill and to the myrrh, of mountain goto the Iwill shadowsretire, break, and the [6]Tillthe day the lilies. among arewhichfeed twins, that youngroes two like [5] breasts two men. Thy armour ofvaliant the all bucklers hang uponit, witha bulwarks: thousand built is towerofDavid,which the as is friends, and drink, and be inebriated, my dearly beloved. [2] I sleep, and my heart watcheth; and my beloved.heart dearly [2]Isleep, inebriated, my and drink, and be friends, O my milk:eat, drunkmy winewith my honey, Ihave with the eaten honeycomb have spices: I with my aromatical my myrrh, gathered spouse, I have my garden,my sister, O my into Iam applecome ofhis trees. fruit the garden, his and eat into come my beloved [1] Let 5 Chapter flow. thereof spices aromatical the and let through blow southwind, my garden, O north and wind, come, O [16] Arise, from Libanus. astream strong whichrunwith waters, ofliving the well ofgardens: fountain

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CEU eTD Collection waters, which are washed with milk, and sit beside the plentiful streams. [13] His cheeksare streams.[13]His plentiful sit beside the and with milk, are washed which waters, of [12]His uponbrooks doves eyesas a raven. as trees, black ofpalm as branches locks his finest gold: the head as is [11]His andout ruddy,chosen ofthousands. white is beloved so [10]My us? thouadjured hast that ofthe thy is beloved, beloved manner ofone what among women? most Obeautiful beloved, thou ofthe ofonethy is beloved manner What [9] with love. him Ilanguish that beloved, youtell if youfindthat my ofJerusalem, daughters [8] fromyou, O me. veil Iadjure took walls my away keepersofthe the me: wounded and struckme: they thefoundme: city [7]goabout keepersthat didme. notThe answer he and not: and foundhim Icalled, spoke:him, whenIsought he wasmelted soul gone. My and had turned aside, mybut beloved: he ofmy the doorto bolt myrrh. [6]Iopened choicest the of full fingerswere myrrh, and my mydropped with beloved: hands open to my upto arose [5]I at touch. his moved were my bowels key hole, through and the put hand his beloved [4]My them? Idefile feet, shall how my on? Ihave Iput washed it shall how garment, [3]Ihave put oftheoffmy drops nights. and my ofdew, locks head full is for my my love,undefiled: my mydove, my sister, to Open me, knocking: ofmy beloved voice the Chapter 6 Chapter with thee?him seek will and we turned thy is aside, beloved women? whither beautifulamong thou most O gone, thy is beloved [17]Whither OofJerusalem. my is friend, ye daughters and he beloved, my is such lovely: and sweet, heall is [16]His most throat the as cedars. excellent Libanus, formof ofgold.as His setupon bases are that ofmarble, pillars legsas [15]His sapphires. setwith ofivory, His as ofhyacinths. belly ofgold, and as full are hands turned [14] His myrrh. dropping choice lips are lilies as His setbythe perfumers. spices ofaromatical beds as

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CEU eTD Collection return, O Sulamitess: return, return that we may behold thee. may we behold that return, return Sulamitess: O return, [12]Return, ofAminadab. forthe chariots [11]me my troubled soul not: budded. Iknew the pomegranates flourished, and vineyard if had the and to look valleys, fruits ofthe the see garden to ofnuts, [10]down the in array? into an armyIwent as set theterrible as sun, bright moon, fair the morning as rising, forththe as cometh that her. [9]Whoshe is they praised and and queens concubines, blessed: the her andmost declared saw her. Theher, daughters bore ofher chosen that only the one ofher mother, butthe is one, she dove,one my perfect my is [8]One without number. and youngmaidens concubines, fourscore and queens, threescore [7]There thee. are hidden is within beside what bark ofa pomegranate, arethe as cheeks [6] them. barrenThy among none is and withthere twins, all washing, upfrom the come ofsheep,which a flock [5]as teeth from Galaad. Thy appear ofgoats,that a flock as is hair Thy away. me flee made forthey have eyesfrom me, [4]Turn thy away setin array. army an as terrible Jerusalem: as and sweet comely my love, beautiful,O [3]Thou lilies. art the among who to feedeth myme, beloved beloved, [2]Itoand lilies. my to gather and gardens, the feed in to spices, bed ofaromatical to the into gone is down garden, his beloved [1] My that looketh toward Damascus. [5] Thy head is like Carmel: and the hairs of thy headthe as the hairs and Carmel: head like is [5]Thy toward Damascus. looketh that ofLibanus, the as Thyis tower nose multitude. ofthe ofthe daughter gate are in the which in fishpools Hesebon, ofivory. the Thy eyeslike [4]Thy twins. necka tower as are that like young two roes are [3]Thy breasts lilies. two about with ofwheat, set a heap like is belly Thy cups. never roundbowl wanting like is [2] navel a Thy workman. hand ofa skillful the by are made that jewels, are like ofthy Thethighs joints daughter! shoes, prince's O in steps thy beautifulare ofcamps? How companies but the Sulamitess in see the shalt thou [1] What 7 Chapter

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CEU eTD Collection find thee without, and kiss thee, and now no man may despise me? [2] I will take hold of hold [2]Iwill take me? despise noman and now may thee, and theekiss without, find Imay that of my breasts mother, brother, mesuckingthe formy to give thee [1] Who shall 8 Chapter forthee. Ihave my kept beloved, the old, the and new fruits: are all our gates In smell. give [13]Thea breasts. mandrakes my Igive thee will flourish: there pomegranates fruits, if to the bring forth thebe ready flowers flourish, if vineyard if see the us let vineyards, to get the us upearly the[12]Let villages. us in let abide field, into the go forth us let [11] my beloved, me. Come, towards is [10]Itoandturning his my beloved, ruminate. to andteeth his drink, belovedandlips forhis to formy bestwine,worthy the like throat apples. [9]Thy like odourofthy mouth and the vine: clustersofthe the be as shall breasts and thy thereof: fruit hold will ofthe tree,take palm and the Iwill goupinto [8] Isaid: clustersofgrapes. thyto breasts tree, palm and to a like is [7]Thy stature in delights! dearest, my thou,comely, and how beautifulart channels. [6]How boundin the ofthe king purple nothing. [8] Our sister is little, and hath no breasts. What shall we do to our sister in the day doto in we oursister What shall and hath nobreasts. little, is [8]Ournothing. sister as it despise forlove, house ofhis he shall the all substance man give should if it: a drown floods can the neither charity, quench cannot waters [7] Many fire and flames. are thereof lamps the hell, hard as as jealousy death, forlove as strong is uponthy arm, a seal as heart, uponthy [6]Putme a seal boreas thee. that defloured there was corrupted, she was mother thy there thee up: Iraised tree the Under apple uponher beloved? leaning delights, with desert, flowing upfrom cometh the [5]this is that please. tillshe Who my love up, norawake not youstir ofJerusalem, that [4]Iadjure daughters you, O me. embrace hand shall right his head, and hand under my left [3]His ofmy new pomegranates. ofspiced wineand cup thee a give me, and Iwill thou shalt there teach Into my house: thee mother's and bring thee,

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CEU eTD Collection spices. spices. ofaromatical mountains younghart and touponthe to the the like roe, and be beloved, O away, my hear[14]Flee thy voice. me make friendshearken: the gardens, in the dwellest that thereof. fruit [13]Thou keep the that andhundred two forthem peaceable, the for thee, are A before is thousand me. vineyard ofsilver. [12]My thousandpieces thereof fruit a the for bringeth every man to outkeepers, the let same hath he people: which in that vineyard, had a [11] peaceable peace. one finding The as in presence his become since Iam tower a as and myare breasts wall: [10]Iam a orcedar. with boards together us it a door,let join be if she uponit ofsilver: build bulwarks us let to? spoken be a [9]Ifshe wall: to is be she when

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