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Song of Songs 1:2–2:7

Opening words of mutual love and desire

Opening dialogue (Song 1:2–2:7)

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

The unit is marked by (1) the symmetry created by its constituent speeches, (2) the tight stimulus-response connections linking these speeches, (3) the sense of completeness created by progression from tension to resolution, (4) the singularity of scene, and (5) the recurrence of keywords and motifs.

  1. a
    young woman's long speech, expressing her desire to be with the young man in his home1:2–7aside to the daughters of Jerusalem; "he has brought me into (hĕbî'anî) his chambers"; keywords: threefold mention of love ('hb); wine (yayin)
  2. b
    young man's words of admiration for his beloved (ra'yātî)1:8–11her uniqueness among women (bannāšîm)
  3. c
    young woman's short speech of admiration and desire1:12–14theme: fragrance (nard, myrrh, henna blossoms); reference to his bed
  4. d
    CENTER: young man's exclamation1:15
  5. c′
    young woman's short speech of admiration and desire1:16–17possible theme: fragrance (cedar, pine); reference to our bed
  6. b′
    young man's words of admiration for his beloved (ra'yātî)2:1–2her uniqueness among the young women (bēn habbānôt)
  7. a′
    young woman's long speech describing union with the young man in his home2:3–7aside to the daughters of Jerusalem; "he has brought me into (hĕbî'anî) the house of wine"; keywords: threefold mention of love ('hb); wine (yayin)

Seven speeches alternating between the young woman and the young man (Song 1:2–2:7)

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

The speeches are tightly linked by stimulus-response connections ("pearling"); only the fourth speech (d) is not linked to the preceding speech and thus stands highlighted.

  1. awomanyoung woman's opening speech1:2–7
  2. bmanyoung man's response to her1:8–11
  3. cwomanyoung woman's response to him1:12–14
  4. dmanyoung man's exclamation1:15
  5. ewomanyoung woman's response to him1:16–17
  6. fmanyoung man's response to her2:1–2
  7. gwomanyoung woman's response to him, and refrain2:3–7