The Song of Songs in its Context. Words for Love, Love for Words

Ever since its composition, the Song of Songs has fascinated generation

upon generation of readers. The words for love expressed in the book

have captivated the imagination and have inspired many, in each time and

age, to interpret its meaning. Also the Song’s love for words - its

intricate poetry and its rich and often daring imagery - has caught the

attention of its readership. After two centuries of diminished interest

in the book, the last two decades have witnessed a remarkable return of

scholarly attention for the Song of Songs. In this volume, twenty-nine

papers read at the 67th Colloquium Biblicum Lovaniense (Leuven,

July 25-27, 2018), not only bring together the current state of the art,

but also sketch new perspectives and future avenues for the study of

this most fascinating book. Attention is paid, by established and

emerging scholars alike, to the Song’s origin and development, to its

poetic features and metaphors, and to its rich and complex reception

history.