On the Song of Songs
Overview
Gregory the Great was a master of the art of exegesis. His interpretations are theologically profound, methodologically fascinating, and historically influential. Nowhere is this more clearly seen than in his exegesis of the Song of Songs. Gregory's interpretation of this popular Old Testament book not only owes much to Christian exegetes who preceded him, such as Origen, but also profoundly influenced later Western Latin exegetes, such as Bernard of Clairvaux.
This volume includes all that Gregory had to say on the Song of Songs: his Exposition on the Song of Songs, the florilegia compiled by Paterius (Gregory’s secretary) and the Venerable Bede, and, finally, William of Saint Thierry's Excerpts from the Books of Blessed Gregory on the Song of Songs. It is now the key resource for reading and studying Gregory’s interpretation of the Song of Songs.
- Presents the work of a master of the exegetical art
- Expounds upon some of the classic themes of patristic theology
- Provides the key resource for reading and studying Gregory’s interpretation of the Song of Songs
Introduction
- The Life of Gregory the Great and His Writings
- Gregory’s Writings on the Song of Songs
- Gregory’s Exegesis of the Song of Songs
- Gregory’s Sources
Translations
- Gregory the Great’s Exposition on the Song of Song
- Excerpts from the Works of Gregory the Great on the Song of Songs Compiled by Paterius and Bede
- William of Saint Thierry’s Excerpts from the Books of Blessed Gregory on the Song of Songs
Appendices
- Appendix One: Gregory’s Citations of the Song of Songs
- Appendix Two: Table of Correspondences among Paterius, Bede, and William
- Appendix Three: Textual Notes on Gregory the Great’s Exposition on the Song of Songs
- Appendix Four: Textual Notes on the Compilations of Paterius and Bede
- Appendix Five: Textual Notes on William of Saint Thierry’s Excerpts from the Books of Blessed Gregory on the Song of Songs
Anyone wanting to learn pre-modern exegesis by walking through a lively example of it should take firm hold of this book. The accessible translation pays due scholarly attention to the channels through which Gregory came to us (Paterius, Bede, William of St Thierry). Those medieval fans of Gregory on the Song show us what a classic it became, and this should encourage us to see it in the same way. In the full Introduction we are given both a basic primer in figural reading and allegorizing which promoted contemplation, and also a platform for research (not least in footnotes which reflect the state of the question in patristic-medieval exegesis). Priceless!
—Mark W. Elliott, Senior Lecturer in Church History, School of Divinity University of St Andrews
This is the most exhaustive treatment in modern scholarship for the Commentary on the Song of Songs attributed to St. Gregory the Great and the legacy of that text for medieval exegetes. The careful translation and exhaustive commentary of this overlooked text is an important contribution to Gregorian scholarship and a boon to all those interested in Biblical interpretation during the Middle Ages.
—George Demacopoulos, Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Co-Founding Director, Orthodox Christian Studies Program Fordham University
This new translation, noteworthy for both its accuracy and its sympathy for Gregory’s endeavours, will make his thinking on The Song of Songs far better known. It is extremely welcome
—John Moorhead, McCaughey Professor of History, Emeritus University of Queensland, Author of Gregory the Great