Why called Song of Songs among songs
It is asked why it is called the Song of Songs. As the Holy of Holies surpasses holy things, so this song surpasses other songs. Songs of Moses, Deborah, David, Isaiah and others came before; this is placed last, to which the advancing soul arrives by steps of songs. Some also bring the songs of ascents and other songs of the Psalms into the number of those that precede, to show by how magnificent steps the Bride comes to the Bridegroom’s chamber.
Latin
Quaeritur cur Canticum Canticorum appelletur. Sicut Sancta Sanctorum praecellunt sanctis, sic hoc canticum ceteris canticis. Praecesserunt cantica Moysi, Debborae, David, Isaiae et alia; ad ultimum ponitur hoc, ad quod per gradus canticorum anima proficiens pervenit. Quidam etiam cantica graduum et alia psalmorum cantica in numerum praecedentium adsciscunt, ut ostendant quam magnificis gressibus sponsa ad thalamum sponsi perveniat.
About this text
Origen’s Commentary on the Song of Songs, Prologus (Rufinus’s Latin). Complete on this page: §§1–20.
English follows Baehrens, Origenes Werke VIII (GCS 33, 1925), Rufinus’s Latin of the Commentary Prologus. Lawson ACW 26 was not used as wording. This page is Prologus §§1–20 (closeout).
Witnesses
- Copy-text Baehrens, Origenes Werke VIII = GCS 33 (1925) (Latin · Commentary Prologus §§1–20)
English is newly prepared for study from the stated edition. Open Latin on each section (or the Latin source witness link) for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.