Song of Solomon Chapter 2 — The Awakening of Love
The lovers express their deep mutual affection through rich imagery of nature and the changing seasons, celebrating the joy of their companionship.
1I am a rose of Sharon,
2As a lily among thorns,
3As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,
4He brought me to the banquet hall.
5Strengthen me with raisins,
6His left hand is under my head.
7I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem,
8The voice of my beloved!
9My beloved is like a roe or a young deer.
10My beloved spoke, and said to me,
11For behold, the winter is past.
12The flowers appear on the earth.
13The fig tree ripens her green figs.
14My dove in the clefts of the rock,
15Catch for us the foxes,
16My beloved is mine, and I am his.
17Until the day is cool, and the shadows flee away,
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Song of Solomon 2:11-12
“For behold, the winter is past. The flowers appear on the earth.”
These verses use the arrival of spring to symbolize the awakening and flourishing of the lovers' relationship.
Song of Solomon 2:16
“My beloved is mine, and I am his.”
This verse is a famous declaration of mutual commitment and exclusive belonging within a relationship.
Chapter Summary
Song of Solomon Chapter 2 presents a series of poetic exchanges between two lovers. It begins with the woman describing herself as a rose and a lily, while the man compares her beauty to a lily among thorns. The woman describes her beloved as an apple tree providing shade and fruit, leading her to a banquet hall. The narrative captures the intensity of their longing, with the woman adjuring the daughters of Jerusalem not to stir up love until it is ready. The text then shifts to the arrival of the beloved, described with the speed and grace of a young deer. He invites her to come away with him, noting that winter has passed and spring has arrived, marked by blooming flowers and ripening figs. The chapter concludes with a plea to catch the foxes that spoil the vineyards and a final affirmation of their mutual belonging and devotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
The speaker uses the 'rose of Sharon' and 'lily of the valleys' to describe her own beauty. These terms refer to common wildflowers of the region, symbolizing natural and unadorned grace.
The end of winter and the arrival of spring signify a time of renewal and the ideal moment for the lovers to be together. The text mentions singing birds and ripening figs to illustrate this transition.
The 'foxes' represent potential threats or distractions that could damage the 'vineyard' of the couple's relationship. The verse is a request to protect their love from harm while it is in its early, blooming stage.
Study Note
The use of flora and fauna imagery, such as the lily and the gazelle, reflects the agricultural and pastoral setting of ancient Israelite poetry.
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