[connectthedots]

The Song of Songs is allegorical.

Man, you don't have a clue.

Canticle_of_Deborah, I don't have my Bible handy, but could you post the portion of Song of Songs that is a direct reference to the pleasures of oral sex. It's the part that talks about the north an south wings and grazing in the wife garden of honey and spices. I'd like to see Maximilian explain how that portion is merely an allegory.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

While I can't answer the specifics of your post, I will say this. Catholics interpret Scripture in three ways, explicit (literal), implicit (deeper layers of spiritual meaning) and in historical context. A literal interpretation of Song of Songs conveys the sacredness, depth and passion of the marital union. An implicit understanding of Songs paints a picture of the soul's mystical union with God with additional metaphorical pairings of Christ and his Church and the Holy Spirit/Virgin Mary.

Solomon is classically credited with Songs but some attribute it to an unknown poet. As an aside, many college courses study the Bible not in a religious context but solely for its historical and cultural information.