Abstract:
The Song of Songs has often been treated as a platform for feminist liberationist
causes. This study aims to re-examine some feminist ideological readings of the
Song of Songs. Although feminist scholars insist that the female "voice" is very
conspicuous in the Song, the male voice is also constantly "there" and equally
strong. Thus, the Song does not celebrate the supremacy of either gender, but
praises mutuality and equality. As analysis of a sample text, 1:2-4, is carried out,
using a "newcomer" approach (at least to Old Testament studies), namely sociorhetorical criticism. This approach allows an integrated scientific approach to the reading and rereading of texts from various angles. Ideological questions come
into focus, such as: What exactly does an ideology involve or imply? Whose
ideological reading is the best reading of the text? Is there such a thing as a best
reading of a text? Does the Song of Songs itself prescribe a particular ideological
reading? Finally, applications and principles as derived from the exegetical
findings are summarised to encourage a wider readership and use for the Song of Songs.
