A holistic interpretation and translation of Song of Songs 6:12

Abstract

Song of Songs 6:12 has long since been viewed as one of the most difficult verses in the Song of Songs to interpret and translate. The difficulty is to be found in the first place with the syntax and semantics of the Hebrew words, and secondly in the form, voice, tone, genre, and imagery conveyed by those words. Consequently, a vast array of translations and interpretations have been proposed for SS 6:12. The objective of the present study, thus, is to propose a revised formal translation and fitting interpretation of SS 6:12 based upon careful investigation of the syntax and semantics of SS 6:12. This study is divided into two main parts. Part One looks at Song of Songs as a whole, conducting detailed literature reviews on previous interpretations (chapter 2) and structural analyses (chapter 3) of SS 6:12. Part Two homes in on the verse in question, conducting a precise syntactico-semantic analysis of SS 6:12 (chapter four) in order to draft a revised interpretation. In chapter five, the translation of SS 6:12 is explicated within its immediate context, especially examining the impact of form, voice, tone, genre, and imagery on the interpretation. The results from the linguistic analysis of SS 6:12 indicates that the most fitting formal translation is “I did not know, [that] my desire made me [to be] chariots of my noble-people”. Regarding interpretation, SS 6:12 is nestled within a shorter love poem (SS 6:11-7:1) in which the woman warmly recalls a time she was overwhelmed by her beloved’s affections (SS 6:12), her desire moving her in such a way that it causes her to feel as a chariot, a regal image which conveys the sense of royalty, nobility, exaltation, and the highest respect. The present study contributes to the field of OT Theology by understanding trends in the literature regarding (i) the genre (ii) and structure of Song of Songs and—most importantly—by proposing a (iii) revised translation and (iv) fitting interpretation of SS 6:12 based on the syntactic relationships and meaning in context.