Description
Carr dates the Song of Songs to the mid-tenth century B.C., yet he is non-committal on Solomonic authorship, and allows for updating during the divided monarchy (18). He rightly rejects an allegorical reading of the Song. Professor Carr correctly interprets the book as ancient Near Eastern love poetry which celebrates the joys of sexual intimacy. The commentary divides the Song into five sections: Anticipation (1:2--2:7); Found, and Lost--and Found (2:8--3:5); Consummation (3:6--5:1); Lost--and Found (5:2--8:4); Affirmation (8:5-14). He rejects the wedding being royal (i.e., Solomonic) and states "the lover and the beloved are just ordinary people"
