Heidegger's Bible Handbook: Song of Songs: Synoptic Outline

The Parts:

I. The desire of the coming of the Bridegroom, Chapter 1:1-4.

II. The Dialogues between the Bridegroom and the Bride concerning their mutual love, Chapters 1:5-8:14: in which are:

1. Their mutual speeches concerning the advent of Christ in the flesh: chapters 1; 2: in which:

a. The Bride confesses her indignity; the Bridegroom praises her; and both pour forth affection: chapter 1:5-17.

b. The Bride, a rose among thorns, praises the excellence of the Bridegroom, rejoices that she is brought into the house of the vineyard, and extols the favors: chapter 2.

2. Their mutual speeches concerning the Bridegroom, absent and foung: chapters 3; 4: in which:

a. The Bride finds the lost Bridegroom; He forbids that she should be disturbed; the spectators proclaim the sufferings of the Bride: chapter 3.

b. The Bridegroom commends the penitence of the Bride, departs unto the mountain of myrrh, calls the Bride to Himself and commends her: chapter 4.

3. Their mutual speeches concerning various cases: chapter 5-8: in which:

a. The Bridegroom, coming into the garden of the Bride, testifies of its fruit: the Bride laments His withdrawal: chapter 5.

b. The Bride testifies that the Bridegroom did not withdraw, but went into His garden: the Bridegroom commends her, and sets Queens and concubines over against her: chapter 6.

c. The Bridegroom praises the form of the Bride’s external members: the Bride invites Him to the vineyard: chapter 7.

d. They mutually testify of their ardor, zeal, care concerning the vineyard, and desire: chapter 8.