Yvonne Sophie Thöne

FEMALE HUMANIMALITY: ANIMAL IMAGERY IN THE SONG OF SONGS AND ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN ICONOGRAPHY

This article examines the interconnectedness of humans and animals in the biblical Song of Songs. After giving an overview about the Song’s use of metaphor, the humanimal association of woman and animal is analysed. The image of the woman as a mare drawing the chariots of the Egyptian king (Song 1:9) evokes the impression of a strong and precious being but one simultaneously under male command. The metaphor of the woman as a dove in the clefts of the rock (Song 2:14) shows an independent person, who is hard to reach and is closely associated with the ancient love goddess in her temple.