What Does Song of Solomon 1:1 Mean in the King James?
The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The title crowns this as the song above every song, and Solomon’s name quietly roots it in wholeness.
THE MEANING
You meet an intimate song named in the highest register of song, under Solomon’s name, which carries the root of wholeness. Desire is given the book’s central voice, not treated as a decorative aside.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that intimate love is a lesser subject than the highest themes of song; this title places it at the summit.
THE ROOT
שִׁיר
shir
GROWS FROM
שיר
sh-y-r
To sing; to give voice in song.
The title repeats the same Hebrew word in “song of songs,” a superlative way of naming the song above all songs. English makes “song” sound like a finished object; the root also carries the act of singing that gives it voice.
ALSO GROWS
shar: Sings; one who is singing.
שָׁר
The noun and the act of singing grow from the same root: this title names a song that is meant to be voiced.
shirah: A song; singing.
שִׁירָה
This related form keeps the root’s sense of voiced song audible beneath the English title.
לִשְׁלֹמֹה
lishlomo
GROWS FROM
שלם
sh-l-m
To be whole, complete, or intact.
Solomon’s Hebrew name, Shelomo, comes from the root also heard in שָׁלוֹם (shalom, wholeness). The title therefore places this song under a name that carries wholeness within it.
ALSO GROWS
shalom: Wholeness; completeness.
שָׁלוֹם
This branch makes the wholeness carried in Solomon’s name explicit.
shalem: Whole; complete; intact.
שָׁלֵם
This form shows the root’s direct sense of completeness, resonating with the title’s claim to be the song above songs.
THE PATTERN
A song gives inward experience a voice that can be shared.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;THE THREAD
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.“Solomon’s” carries the root שלם (sh-l-m), also heard in שָׁלוֹם (shalom, wholeness), rendered “peace” here. The shared root opens the title’s resonance: a song named under wholeness meets a verse that speaks of wholeness joined to love.
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