The Song of Songs: Interpreted by Early Christian and Medieval Commentators (review)

This new series devoted to scriptural commentary in the first Christian millennium is a welcome addition to the burgeoning study of early Christian exegesis. Already with the first volume on the Song of Songs, Richard Norris has provided a much needed resource for scholars and students of this Old Testament book. The purpose of the new series, set forth by the general editor Robert Wilken in his preface, is "to make available the richness of the Church's classical tradition of interpretation," which today is lamentably "known only in bits and pieces" and without the "spiritual world that gave it birth." Unlike other series devoted to providing illustrations of early Christian exegesis in the form of short excerpts on selected biblical verses, this series draws more extensively from actual scriptural commentaries and homilies rather than from other forms of early Christian literature such as theological treatises, devotional works, or epistolary sources. As such, the selections demonstrate more clearly the commentators' full consideration of the passage. This feature is the most distinctive mark of the new series and perhaps its greatest strength. In addition, the selection of lengthier excerpts from several sources allows the reader to see how various commentators relate to each other and how themes are either developed, modified, or dropped in successive generations. The distinctiveness of each commentator as well as the continuity within the received tradition becomes apparent and we learn how the interpreters made the Song of Songs a part of the Church's Bible.

This volume on the Song of Songs has several other features that are most helpful and would be welcome in succeeding volumes. Wilken's introductory essay provides a review of exegetical practices in the early Church and is useful for both non-specialists and experts. The explanation of the understanding of the Song of Songs in the early and medieval Church provided by Norris alerts the reader to differences between ancient and modern methods of interpreting the Song. In addition, for each passage that is considered Norris provides a brief introduction to some of the key elements which emerge in the selected commentators. Each section begins with Norris' own translation of the passage in question from both the LXX and the Vulgate, and this format aids our understanding of the comments since the two texts form the basis of the commentators' remarks. The variations in translation often produce interesting results. References for scriptural passages which the commentators allude to are helpful in seeing how the principle of 'scripture interpreting scripture' was practiced throughout this period.

When part of the passage in question is repeated in the text of the commentary, it is printed in bold type. Thus, it is easy to note how interpretation is a constant reflection back on the received text. For each text the inclusion of excerpts from several ancient commentators allows for a critical comparison and is particularly helpful for scholars tracing the history of exegesis of select passages. It also provides rich material for meditation for those seeking a more imaginative engagement with the bible in a contemporary context.

The volume contains several appendices which provide biographical details about the commentators, the sources of the excerpts, and easy references for locating specific excerpts. Again, these will be of greatest interest to scholars. The concluding indices are also helpful for more in depth study.

Although examples from both east and west are included, those from the western church are more prevalent. This is particularly noticeable for the medieval commentators, all of whom come from the Latin tradition. This arrangement may be due to the lack of sources, but it is regrettable that eastern examples were not provided for the period after ca. 450 C.E. It is also disappointing that samples could not be included from Coptic, Armenian or Syrian sources. No attempt is made to assess critically the interpretations provided by these early exegetes; it is presumed that such analysis...