The structure of Song of Songs

1. Introduction

The Song of Songs lacks a clear structure. At least, not one that is easily recognizable. However, the book does display stylistic features that reveal a distinct structure. The repetition of word choices and concepts creates a chiastic (symmetrical) structure. We also observe two stylistic features:

- Incantations: "Daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles, by the hinds of the field: Do not awaken love, do not let her awaken until she wishes" (e.g., Song of Solomon 2:7). We encounter this formula four times in the Song of Songs.
- A question word (who/what) at the beginning of a section, such as in Song of Solomon 3:6: "Who is this coming out of the wilderness like a pillar of smoke, in a cloud of frankincense and myrrh, with the aroma of precious spices?"

2. Division into blocks

Based on these stylistic features, a chiastic structure becomes visible. The following overview shows the blocks. A number of keywords are listed for each block. Letters indicate that a symmetrical structure is visible.

The dream scenes interrupt the text with a remarkable message. This is described in another article about the Song of Songs on this website.
We will see later that the description of the procession and the description of the man belong together.
The most important conclusion of this analysis is that the description of the woman, the bride, is at the center of the Song of Songs.

3. Chiastic structure

If we elaborate further on the chiastic (symmetrical) structure, it looks like this:

A. vineyard, brothers (1:6)

   B. embrace (2:6)

      C. meeting in nature (2:10-13)

         D. each other's property (2:16)

X. dream scene (3:1-4)

            E. parade (3:6-11)

        F. description woman (4:1-15)

X. dream scene (5:2-7)

       E. description man (5:10-16)

         D. each other's property (6:3)

               F’. (description woman) (6:4-9)

      C. meeting in nature (6:11-12)

               F’. (description woman) (7:1-10)

   B. embrace (8:3)

A. brothers (8:8-9)

A. vineyard (8:11-12)

4. Explanation

Two points of clarification.
In the middle of the Song of Songs is the description of the woman (5:10-16). We see two other, shorter descriptions of the woman. These echo the first description. This is clear when we pay attention to the word choice.

Finally, the description of the desert procession and the man. These descriptions use very similar language. This emphasizes the contrast between Solomon, who participates in the wedding procession in great luxury, and the unknown man. Solomon surrounds himself with wealth, but the man himself is of great beauty.

5. Final note

The structure underscores the book's meaning.
The description of the woman is central. Literally. This description is also echoed twice. Surrounding this, we see the contrast between Solomon's outward wealth and the man's beauty.
Attention is also drawn to two passages that seem out of place, the two so-called dream scenes. And as indicated in another article, therein lies an important message of the Song of Songs.
Thus, we see how the literary form of the Song of Songs supports the book's content.

Bas Krins