Song of Solomon 3:5 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to Solomon, he is telling the young women of Jerusalem to be patient and not rush love, just like how animals in the field wait for the right time. It's important to wait until both people are ready and happy.

Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 7:9

This verse encourages marriage if passions are strong, while Song of Solomon 3:5 advises not to awaken love until it pleases, suggesting a restraint on pursuing love too hastily.

1 Corinthians 7:9: But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

These verses describe love as patient and kind, contrasting with the urgency in Song of Solomon 3:5 to not awaken love until the right time, implying that love naturally has its timing and circumstances.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5: Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, [vaunteth...: or, is not rash]

Contradiction with Proverbs 5:18-19

This passage encourages rejoicing in love, particularly the love of a spouse, whereas Song of Solomon 3:5 promotes delaying love until it is ready.

Proverbs 5:18-19: Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 3:8

This verse states there is a time for love, countering Song of Solomon 3:5's caution against awakening love prematurely by emphasizing a scheduled timing.

Ecclesiastes 3:8: A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Contradiction with Genesis 2:24

This verse suggests the immediacy and permanence of the marital bond, whereas Song of Solomon 3:5 advises caution in engaging love.

Genesis 2:24: Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Paradox #1

The potential contradiction in Song of Solomon 3:5 arises from different interpretations about love and desire. Some people might see this verse as opposing the idea of free, spontaneous love by advising restraint or waiting. This could conflict with views that celebrate love as a natural, divine, and spontaneous feeling that one shouldn't suppress. Others, however, reconcile this by understanding the guidance as aiming for appropriate timing rather than suppression. It illustrates how differing perspectives can create seeming contradictions in scriptural interpretation.

Paradox #2

The potential contradiction or inconsistency with that verse could be seen in its advice about love and desire, which might conflict with other biblical teachings that emphasize restraint and self-control. This could lead to differences in interpretation about when and how love should be expressed.