The Bible Dept. Podcast

Host: Dr. Manny Arango

Episode: Day 327 – Song of Songs 4–6

Date: November 23, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Dr. Manny Arango dives into the evocative and controversial middle chapters of Song of Songs (chapters 4–6), unpacking their rich poetic language, historical significance, and provocative themes. He explores how ancient Jewish views on sexuality, romance, and marriage contrast sharply with modern Christian attitudes, and offers practical, often humorous, wisdom for relationships—especially for men. With a grounded perspective, Dr. Arango encourages listeners to move past discomfort and engage the biblical text honestly, affirming its celebration of desire, beauty, and intimacy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Book’s True Title and Its Profound Meaning (02:10)

• Song of Songs or Song of Solomon?
  Dr. Arango explains the original Hebrew title "Song of Songs," drawing parallels with phrases like "Holy of Holies" and "King of Kings."

  “This song right here, this collection of poems, this song is the song that is above all other songs. It is the best, the summit of all songs… This is the greatest song ever written.” (03:40)

• Ancient Esteem vs. Modern Discomfort
  Among ancient Jews, Song of Songs was revered as the "Holy of Holies"—the most sacred scripture, vs. modern Christians who often feel the need to downplay or allegorize its erotic content.

  “Its erotic content has to be allegorized away… But for the Jewish people, the erotic content, the sexual union between man and woman was something celebrated.” (06:29)

2. Solomon’s Association and Interpretative Challenges (12:10)

• Who is the "Of" Referring To? Five Possibilities:

  1. Solomon as author
  2. Solomon as patron
  3. Dedicated to Solomon
  4. In Solomon’s style/about him
  5. A gift to Solomon

• Solomon: Hero or Villain?
  Dr. Arango questions whether Solomon’s messy marital record (700 wives, 300 concubines) disqualifies him as a credible voice on monogamous love. He suggests the text might even intentionally critique Solomon, using him as a cautionary background.

  “If Solomon is the author… we have to really think, is Solomon really a credible source for erotic love poetry between a man and a wife?” (17:10)

• Literary Boldness

  “It would take real boldness to center a whole book of the Bible on one man, one woman, for one lifetime—in the midst of Solomon’s many marriages.” (20:07)

3. Nerdy Nuggets: Close Reading of the Text

a. Physical Praise and Sexual Imagery (22:50)

• How Ancient Husbands Spoke Beauty
  The male lover praises his beloved’s eyes, hair, teeth, lips, and neck—working from the face down, with the breasts “the last thing my man gonna talk about.”

  “The first words out of his mouth are, not, you thick, girl. Like, that’s not the first thing he says… Hey, girl, dang, you got all your teeth. That’s hot.” (24:08)

• Timeless (and Playful) Wisdom

  “Your breasts are like two fawns… they match, and they moving. They got motion, you know?” (26:07)

  “Gentlemen, women don’t just want to be talked about like they’re a piece of meat, all right?” (24:48)

• Words Matter in Intimacy

  “Sex is not just some silent thing that you do. Part of the sexual experience is talking.” (28:15)

b. Garden Imagery and Edenic Longing (29:10)

• Euphemisms for Desire

  “You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride… a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain… The juice is not flowing, okay?” (29:44)

  The language signals desire, arousal, and anticipation, culminating in an explicit poetic celebration of consummation.

  “By the time we get to verse 15, we got some water, we got some moisture. This is fantastic.” (30:27)

• Return to the Garden (Genesis Connection) The garden imagery isn’t random—it evokes innocence, mutuality, and “naked and no shame” intimacy of Eden.

c. Dream Sequence and Moisture Language (31:50)

• Symbolic Sexual Language Dr. Arango highlights a dream full of euphemisms:

  “My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night… my beloved thrust his hand through the latch opening. My heart began to pound for him.” (32:40)

  He notes “feet” are Bible code for private parts and quips: “She definitely ain’t giving him a pedicure. I’ll just say that much.” (33:58)

4. Role Reversal: The Woman’s Praise (35:47)

• Mutual Desire The woman now praises her beloved—his “head of purest gold,” “eyes, cheeks, lips, arms, body, legs…” emphasizing that Song of Songs is a celebration of mutual desire and friendship.

5. Timeless Truth: Gentlemen, Warm Up the Relationship (37:08)

• The Phone as a Tool (or Threat) in Marital Intimacy

  “This one thing is going to help your sex life, and that is your phone. This thing right here—either going to destroy your relationship… or mean that your relationship with your bride is hot and steamy.” (37:15)

• Practical Advice for Husbands

  • Men are “ready to rock and roll” instantly; women need warming up.
  • Words of affirmation should begin hours—even twelve—before intimacy.

  “If you trying to get freaky with your wife at 10 o’ clock tonight, you should start warming up that engine at 10 o’ clock this morning.” (39:02)

  • Use the phone not for distractions or temptations, but to affirm and arouse your spouse.

  “You’re either going to be on this phone looking at porn… or you’re going to be on this phone sending your girl stuff that’s getting her engine going.” (40:13)

• Overarching Point

  “There should be absolutely no shame, no embarrassment when it comes to talking about sex. There’s a whole book of the Bible dedicated to making sure your fingers are dripping with myrrh.” (42:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Biblical Sexuality:

  “For the Jewish people, the sexual union between man and woman was something that was celebrated. This was not dirty, sinful, or embarrassing, but the heart of all humanity.” (07:01)

• On the Importance of Communication:

  “Part of the sexual experience is talking… You’re not trying to drive a cold car, okay? You got to get the engine going.” (28:20)

• On Words of Affirmation:

  “You may want to get… right out of Song of Songs, Chapter 4, Verse 1, because the way this brother is talking to this woman, that’s the way you want to start talking to her.” (39:13)

• On the Book’s Unapologetic Approach:

  “There’s a whole book of the Bible… inspired by the Holy Ghost, dedicated to making sure things is… is how they need to be, making sure it’s fragrant, making sure stuff is bouncing.” (43:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:10] – Song’s title significance ("Song of Songs" vs "Song of Solomon")
• [06:29] – Ancient Judaism's positive view of sex vs modern Christian discomfort
• [12:10] – Five interpretive options for Solomon’s relation to the book
• [17:10] – Solomon’s credibility (or lack thereof)
• [22:50] – Poetic praise: beauty, breasts, and “motion”
• [29:10] – Garden imagery and its theological meaning
• [31:50] – Another sex scene: euphemisms and dream language
• [35:47] – The woman praises her beloved
• [37:08] – Timeless truth: your phone and your marriage
• [40:13] – Choose your phone’s role: distraction or connection
• [42:39] – No shame in biblical sexuality

Conclusion

Dr. Manny Arango uses humor, honesty, and deep context to unpack Song of Songs 4–6, arguing for a robust, shame-free embrace of marital sexuality as celebrated in scripture. The episode offers both “nerdy nuggets” for Bible buffs and practical advice for listeners seeking a more connected marriage, emphasizing that open communication, affirmation, and mutual desire are biblical and good.

Join tomorrow for the conclusion to Song of Songs (chapters 7 & 8)!