The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs or Canticles, is a unique and enigmatic book in the Old Testament. It is a collection of love poems celebrating the romantic and intimate relationship between a bride (the Shulammite woman) and her bridegroom (often considered Solomon). However, interpreting the Song of Solomon can be a challenging endeavor due to its poetic and metaphorical language. To unlock the rich spiritual and practical insights contained within this book, it’s essential to apply good hermeneutical methods and practices.

One method of biblical interpretation employed throughout history is allegorization. Allegorical interpretation involves looking beyond the literal meaning of a text and finding deeper, symbolic, or hidden meanings. While allegorization can offer unique insights into the Bible, it is essential to understand when to use it and avoid it.

Interpreting the Bible is a complex and nuanced task, and while the phrase "What does this mean to me?" isn't inherently bad, it can lead to potential pitfalls and misunderstandings when used as the sole or primary approach. Here are some reasons why relying solely on this approach can be problematic.

Using a modern dictionary for Bible interpretation may not always be sufficient because languages, including biblical languages like Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, evolve over time. This evolution can result in changes in word meanings, nuances, and cultural contexts that may differ significantly from when biblical texts were written.

When we read the Bible, shouldn’t we take its words at face value? The answer to that question is both yes and no. While every word in the Bible is true, God inspired the writers to use metaphor, symbolism, irony, and other literary devices to convey the message.

The hermeneutical spiral is a concept that describes the iterative and recursive nature of the interpretive process in Bible study. Let me explain: The hermeneutical spiral is like a cycle because you go through it again and again, and it helps you understand the Bible better each time. So, when you study the Bible, you don't just read it once and understand everything; you keep going back and digging deeper to learn more.