The beloved is a dove. Why a dove?
We can answer by taking a detour through temple theology. The temple is made according to the pattern of the mountain, reflecting the beauty of Yahweh’s original glory. The temple is glory come to earth.,
And the glory of Yahweh is like a bird fluttering over Israel (Deuteronomy 32:11), like a bird hovering over the formless emptiness of the original creation (Genesis 1:2).
That glory is the Spirit, who comes to Jesus like a dove.
So: The beloved is the temple, made in the image of the Spirit-dove.
Hence: “My dove.”
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