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Did Solomon write Song of Songs?

Categories Biblical Studies Hebrew & Cognate Languages

One of the big questions related to the book is who wrote the Song of Songs. And there are really two options. Either, it was Solomon or someone that we don't know.

Now, some of the arguments for the fact that Solomon may have written it. First, he is the guy mentioned in the book the most. In fact, he's the only one specifically mentioned, and in the very first verse, it says, "שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים, אֲשֶׁר לִשְׁלֹמֹה"—The Song of Songs which is by Solomon, or which is for Solomon, or which is about Solomon. So the way in which you render that last part, whether it's by, for, or about him, will determine what you think about Solomon as the author.

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Some of the language in the book suggest that the book was written after the time of Solomon. However, if it's the Song of Songs are the best song ever and we know Solomon was the best wisdom composer of all times, the wisest of all people to that time, then he's the best candidate in many ways and would've had access to all of the vocabulary and the language that is in the book.

But it's hard to know exactly if Solomon wrote it or not. We're not going to have that answered until we get to heaven. It was either written by him and that would be the earliest possible date, or was written after him as a reflection on his life, and perhaps the harem that was reflected in 1st Kings 11 where he had many, many wives and they led his heart astray, and this was a reflection back on that, how can a person avoid that kind of relationship.

This has been lightly edited from the original transcript for clarity.

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