The existence of those who do not experience sexual attraction (asexual) and those who do not experience romantic attraction (aromantic) is an underrecognized reality with implications for biblical interpretation. This article examines current interpretation of the Song of Songs, finding evidence of compulsory sexuality and amatonormativity which serve to dehumanize asexuals and aromatics respectively. I show how the highly sexual nature of Song 5.2–6 resides solely within innuendo and double entendre that is dependent on the imagination of the interpreter and moreover may not be obvious to an asexual. I then read the text without the sexual overlay to reveal a story of mismatched desire, which may include a mismatch of type of desire. I also find the actions and experiences of the woman in the text to evoke the experience of platonic abandonment. The readings developed here highlight the possibilities of an asexual aromantic perspective and contribute to the queer project of resistance to hermeneutical hegemony.
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