The Song is not a manifesto for free love, nor is it a description of a married relationship. The Song does not entertain its readers with prurient expositions nor educate them as a sex manual.90 Instead, the Song is a fantasy that explores the commitment of an erotic love affair. For the Israelites who first read it, as for the Bible readers of later periods, it may presume a sexual relationship within marriage. However, this is never made explicit. Instead, the absolute commitment of the two lovers
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