The Interpretation of Song of Songs in 4 Ezra

The article deals with a passage of 4 Ezra that might well be an allegorical exegesis of Song of Songs. The usual allegory sees the bridegroom as God and the bride as Israel. 4 Ezra is contemporary with Rabbi Aqiba's statements on the allegory of Song of Songs, and is further evidence for the existence of allegorical interpretation. Yet it witnesses a different tradition of allegorical exegesis to the one usually found. This conclusion is compared with various views on Song of Songs and its interpretation.