OT Commentary Recommendations: Rebooted!

A handful of years ago, I (Nijay Gupta) had a blog series where I asked OT experts to weigh in on their recommendations for OT commentaries. For one reason or another (during the pandemic), I left the series incomplete, and lately I have been motivated to do a reboot! So we are back now with **brand new** posts to complete the series.

Experts Recommend OT Commentaries: Song of Songs

Dr. Chloe Sun (Guest Expert)

Dr. Sun serves as Professor of Old Testament and Program Director of the Chinese Studies Center at Fuller Seminary. Sun has written several books including Conspicuous in His Absence (on Song of Songs and Esther) and she is writing the volume on Song of Songs for the Bible in God’s World series.

Technical

Tremper Longman III, Song of Songs (NICOT)

In his 70-page introduction, Longman provides all the essential information on the Song of Songs, including the history of interpretation, ancient Near Eastern background, and significance and theology of the Song of Songs. His reading combines literary and theological insights, and he writes clearly without academic jargon.

Cheryl J. Exum, Song of Songs: A Commentary (OTL)

Male scholars write most commentaries. Exum’s perspective and her focus on poetics, gender dynamics, and gendered love-talks are insightful and make her work stand out.

Michael A. Fishbane. Song of Songs (JPS)

Fishbane writes from a Jewish lens. He explains every verse in the Song of Songs with four senses in Rabbinic hermeneutics: (1) the plain sense, (2) communal and religious import, (3) personal and spiritual value, and (4) metaphysical secrets. The exposition is both interesting and illuminating.

Semi-Technical

Tom Gledhill, The Message of the Song of Songs (The Bible Speaks Today)

This commentary uses accessible language and carefully exegetes the poetics of the Song and its multifaceted expressions of eros. The themes and discussion questions at the end of the book are helpful for Bible studies and personal reflections.

Iain M. Duguid, The Song of Songs (TOTC)

This 160-page commentary provides essential information on the Song. It reads the timeline of the Song linearly: before the wedding, the wedding, and contemplation and renewed consummation. It targets the church audience and readership.

Non-Technical

Harvey Cox, Stephanie Paulsell, Lamentations and Song of Songs: A Theological Commentary on the Bible (Belief)

Paulsell’s commentary can be read as a devotional of Song of Songs. It is easy to read and invites the reader to reflect on the beauty of eros.

Check out Sun’s Work

Thank you, Dr. Sun! Don’t forget to check out her own work on Song of Songs