On the Form and Function of the Waṣfs in the Song of Songs

Abstract

ABSTRACT Description Songs, also called waṣfs, form an important part of the Song of Songs. They show the structure of a two-tiered list, one column of which comprises body parts, while the other column consists of metaphors taken from different domains. This paper explores eight dimensions of the functioning of the waṣfs that depend on this structure, for example the two-tiered lists as secret codes, or as a case of mnemonics.