Bible/Song of Solomon/2

Song of Solomon 2:12

2:11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

KJV

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The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

2:13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

What does Song of Solomon 2:12 mean?

Song of Solomon 2:12 is a verse in the book of Song of Solomon, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include נִצָּן (nitstsân), רָאָה (râʼâh), אֶרֶץ (ʼerets). It connects to 4 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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The
flowersנִצָּןnitstsân/nits-tsawn'/H5339a blossom
appearרָאָהrâʼâh/raw-aw'/H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
on
the
earth;אֶרֶץʼerets/eh'-rets/H776the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
the
timeעֵתʻêth/ayth/H6256time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
of
the
singingזָמִירzâmîyr/zaw-meer'/H2158a song to be accompanied with instrumental music
of
birds
is
come,נָגַעnâgaʻ/naw-gah'/H5060properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.)
and
the
voiceקוֹלqôwl/kole/H6963a voice or sound
of
the
turtleתּוֹרtôwr/tore/H8449a ring-dove, often (figuratively) as a term of endearment
is
heardשָׁמַעshâmaʻ/shaw-mah'/H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
in
our
land;אֶרֶץʼerets/eh'-rets/H776the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Commentary on Song of Solomon 2:12

HENRY_FULL · Song of Solomon 2:11–12
Pet. i. 10 ); their eyes failed for it. Abraham saw it at a distance, and so did others, but at such a distance that it put their eyes to the stretch and they could not stedfastly see it. David was now under prevailing dejections, and, having been long so, his eyes cried out, " When wilt thou comfort me? Comfort me with thy salvation, comfort me with thy word. " Observe, 1. The salvation and consolation of God's people are secured to them by the word, which will certainly be fulfilled in its season. 2. The promised salvation and comfort may be, and often are, long deferred, so that they are ready to faint and fall in the expectation of them. 3. Though we think the time long ere the promised salvation and comfort come, yet we must still keep our eye upon that salvation, and resolve to take up with nothing short of it. "Thy salvation, thy word, thy comfort, are what my heart is still upon." II. Waiting for that help, assured that it will come, and tarrying till it come: But I hope in thy word; and but for hope the heart would break. When the eyes fail yet the faith must not; for the vision is for an appointed time, and at the end it shall speak and shall not lie. 83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. David begs God would make haste to comfort him, 1. Because his affliction was great, and therefore he was an object of God's pity: Lord, make haste to help me, for I have become like a bottle in the smoke, a leathern bottle, which, if it hung any while in the smoke, was not only blackened with soot, but dried, and parched, and shrivelled up. David was thus wasted by age, and sickness, and sorrow. See how affliction will mortify the strongest and stoutest of men! David had been of a ruddy countenance, as fresh as a rose; but now he is withered, his colour is gone, his cheeks are furrowed. Thus does man's beauty consume under God's rebukes, as a moth fretting a garment. A bottle, when it is thus wrinkled with smoke, is thrown by, and there is no more use of it. Who will put wine into such old bottles? Thus was David, in his low estate, looked upon

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Frequently asked questions

What does Song of Solomon 2:12 say?

Song of Solomon 2:12 (King James Version) reads: "The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;"

Is Song of Solomon 2:12 in the Old or New Testament?

Song of Solomon 2:12 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Song of Solomon.

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As you read Song of Solomon 2:12, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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