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Wine is a sign of kingship, and so Solomon is a king of wine. His kisses are better than wine; he is himself a source of intoxication for the bride, Israel (Song 1:2, 4).

Solomon, though, is not merely a giver of wine, but in giving the wine of his love to Israel, he makes Israel into a nation of wine-givers. During his reign, every Israelite sits (enthroned) under a vine and fig tree. Every Israelite has his own vineyard, his own domestic “temple” and house of wine.

The Song depicts this by its transfer of wine imagery from the lover to the beloved. In the first three references to wine in the Song, it is the lover’s love that is intoxicating like wine (1:2, 4); he brings her to a “house of wine” (2:4). But then the bride becomes the wine-giver; her love is better than wine (4:10) and her mouth is the best wine (7:9). Eventually, she takes him to her “house of wine” (8:2). Elevated to royalty, her love becomes an intoxicant for her lover the king.

posted by Peter J. Leithart on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 12:14 pm

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Bible - OT - Song of Songs: Wine-giver

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Bible - OT - Song of Songs: Wine-giver

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