Song Of Solomon 2:11

KJV

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over [and] gone;

KJV (with Strong's)

For, lo, the winter {H5638} is past {H5674}, the rain {H1653} is over {H2498} and gone {H1980};

Complete Jewish Bible

For you see that the winter has passed, the rain is finished and gone,

Berean Standard Bible

For now the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.

American Standard Version

For, lo, the winter is past; The rain is over and gone;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 2:11, a tender declaration from the beloved to his Shulamite bride, vividly announces the definitive end of the harsh, dormant winter season. This verse serves as a powerful metaphor for the cessation of challenging or unproductive periods, signaling the imminent arrival of a season characterized by warmth, growth, and vibrant new life, thereby setting the stage for an invitation to deeper intimacy and shared joy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the beloved's passionate invitation to his bride, immediately following his tender declaration of her beauty and his desire for her presence in [Song of Solomon 2:10](/song_of_solomon/2-10 "Song of Solomon 2:10 - The Beloved's Invitation"). The entire passage from [Song of Solomon 2:8-13](/song_of_solomon/2-8 "Song of Solomon 2:8-13 - The Voice of My Beloved") forms a cohesive unit, portraying the beloved's arrival and his eloquent plea for his bride to join him outdoors. The imagery of the changing seasons provides a compelling backdrop for his call, emphasizing a transition from seclusion or dormancy to active, joyful fellowship. The natural progression from winter to spring creates an atmosphere of renewal and anticipation, preparing the reader for the subsequent descriptions of blossoming nature and the call to "come away" in [Song of Solomon 2:13](/song_of_solomon/2-13 "Song of Solomon 2:13 - The Call to Come Away").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery employed in Song of Solomon 2:11 is deeply rooted in the agricultural and climatic realities of ancient Israel. The "winter" (Hebrew: *çᵉthâv*) was typically the cold, wet season, marked by heavy rainfall (*geshem*) that could make travel difficult and outdoor activity less appealing. This period, roughly from November to March, was often associated with dormancy in nature. The transition from this season to the vibrant, fertile spring was a highly anticipated event, bringing with it the blossoming of flowers, the singing of birds, and the promise of abundant harvests. This seasonal shift was not merely a meteorological phenomenon but a profound cultural marker, symbolizing new beginnings, fertility, and joy, making it a perfect metaphor for the burgeoning love and renewed intimacy between the lovers.
* **Key Themes:** Song of Solomon 2:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Transition and Renewal**, highlighting the shift from a period of waiting or difficulty to one of flourishing and vitality. This mirrors the dynamic nature of love and relationships, which move through different seasons. Secondly, it reinforces the **Call to Intimacy and Action**, as the passing of winter removes any practical or symbolic barriers to the lovers' shared experience and joy. The beloved's invitation is urgent and tender, urging his bride to emerge and embrace the new season with him, as further elaborated in [Song of Solomon 2:13](/song_of_solomon/2-13 "Song of Solomon 2:13 - The Call to Come Away"). Finally, the verse powerfully conveys **Hope and Joy**, painting a picture of a time when hardship has definitively passed, replaced by beauty, abundance, and delight. This hopeful outlook is central to the celebration of love throughout the Song of Solomon, promising a future filled with shared pleasure and communion, echoing the sentiment of [Song of Solomon 1:4](/song_of_solomon/1-4 "Song of Solomon 1:4 - The King Has Brought Me Into His Chambers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **winter (Hebrew, _çᵉthâv'_):** From an unused root meaning "to hide," this word refers to the cold, dark, and often dormant season. In the context of the Levant, winter is characterized by heavy rains and less outdoor activity, symbolizing a period of hardship, inactivity, or seclusion. Its passing signifies the end of such a challenging time.
* **past (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to cross over," this word is used very widely to denote any transition, literal or figurative. Here, it emphasizes the definitive and complete movement beyond the winter season. It's not just ending, but it has "crossed over" and is no longer present, highlighting a clear break from the previous state.
* **rain (Hebrew, _geshem'_):** Derived from a root meaning "a shower," this term specifically refers to the heavy, often disruptive rainfall characteristic of the winter season in Israel. Its departure signifies the end of the wet, cold, and potentially isolating conditions, paving the way for the warmth and brightness of spring.
* **over (Hebrew, _châlaph'_):** A primitive root meaning "to slide by," this word implies a hastening away, a passing on, or a change. Coupled with "gone" (H1980, *hâlak*), it creates an emphatic declaration of finality. The rain has not merely stopped; it has definitively "passed on" and "gone," underscoring the certainty of the seasonal transition and the arrival of a new, more favorable period.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For, lo, the winter is past,"**: This opening clause serves as an emphatic declaration, introduced by "For, lo" (Hebrew: *kî hinnēh*), which draws immediate attention to a significant observation. The "winter" (çᵉthâv), representing a period of cold, rain, and dormancy, is declared to be "past" (ʻâbar). This signifies a complete and definitive transition, indicating that the difficult or less desirable season has concluded and is no longer a present reality. It sets a tone of relief and anticipation.
* **"the rain is over and gone;"**: This second clause reinforces and elaborates on the first, specifically identifying the "rain" (geshem), which is a defining characteristic of the winter, as having definitively ceased. The Hebrew verbs *châlaph* ("over," meaning to pass away or change) and *hâlak* ("gone," meaning to walk away or depart) are used in conjunction to create a powerful sense of finality and completion. The repetition and dual verbs emphasize that the period of wetness and gloom is not merely pausing but has entirely departed, making way for a new, brighter season.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 2:11 is rich in **Imagery** and **Metaphor**. The vivid description of "winter" and "rain" passing away immediately evokes sensory experiences of cold, dampness, and perhaps a sense of confinement. This natural imagery serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for the cessation of any difficult, dormant, or unproductive period in life or in a relationship. The passing of these elements symbolizes a transition from hardship, separation, or waiting to a time of warmth, growth, and renewed intimacy. The phrase "over and gone" employs **Repetition** and **Emphasis** through the use of two verbs (Hebrew: *châlaph* and *hâlak*) to underscore the definitive and complete nature of this transition, leaving no doubt that the old season has truly departed. This creates a sense of profound relief and anticipation for the new, vibrant season that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This beautiful verse, while celebrating human love, resonates with profound theological truths about God's redemptive work and the spiritual journey. Just as the earth experiences a cyclical renewal, Scripture often uses seasonal imagery to depict spiritual transformation and the promise of new beginnings. The passing of winter and rain can symbolize the end of seasons of spiritual barrenness, trial, or sin, making way for a vibrant season of grace, growth, and renewed fellowship with God. It speaks to the hope found in divine intervention, where periods of darkness are not permanent, and God's faithfulness brings about flourishing.

* [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")
* [Isaiah 43:18](/isaiah/43-18 "Isaiah 43:18-19 - Remember Not the Former Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 2:11 offers a profound and comforting metaphor for the human experience, both individually and relationally. It reminds us that difficult or dormant seasons, whether in our personal lives, our spiritual walk, or our relationships, are not permanent. Just as the natural world cycles through winter to spring, we can anticipate and trust in God's timing for renewal and breakthrough. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of hope, looking beyond present challenges to the promise of new growth, joy, and deeper connection. It serves as an invitation to emerge from any self-imposed or circumstantial seclusion, to embrace the vibrant life and loving fellowship that awaits when the "winter" has truly passed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "winter" or "rainy season" might you be experiencing in your life right now, and how does this verse offer you hope?**
* **How does the promise of a "new season" encourage you to step out in faith or embrace change?**
* **In what ways can you actively prepare for or welcome the "springtime" of spiritual renewal in your own life or relationships?**

### FAQ
**Does Song of Solomon 2:11 have a literal meaning or is it purely symbolic?**

Answer: Song of Solomon 2:11 has both a literal and a symbolic meaning. Literally, it refers to the actual climatic transition from the cold, rainy winter to the warm, blossoming spring in ancient Israel. This literal observation sets the scene for the lovers' invitation to go out and enjoy nature. Symbolically, however, it carries a much deeper meaning, representing the passing of any difficult, barren, or dormant period and the arrival of a season of renewal, joy, and flourishing. This dual interpretation allows the verse to speak to both the beauty of human love and broader spiritual truths about hope and new beginnings.

**How does this verse relate to the broader message of the Song of Solomon?**

Answer: This verse is central to the broader message of the Song of Solomon, which celebrates the beauty and intimacy of love. It marks a pivotal moment, signaling a shift from a potentially difficult or waiting period to a time of unhindered joy and communion. The passing of winter and rain symbolizes the removal of obstacles to intimacy and the flourishing of the relationship. It sets a tone of anticipation and delight, inviting the beloved to fully embrace the vibrant season of their love, which is a key theme throughout the book, as seen in the descriptions of their mutual admiration and desire for closeness (e.g., [Song of Solomon 4:7](/song_of_solomon/4-7 "Song of Solomon 4:7 - You Are All Fair, My Love")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 2:11, with its declaration that "the winter is past, the rain is over and gone," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who ushers in the true and eternal spring, bringing an end to the "winter" of sin, death, and separation from God. Before Christ, humanity lived in a spiritual "winter," characterized by the chilling effects of sin and the barrenness of the Law, unable to truly flourish or experience full communion with God ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). However, through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus decisively conquered sin and death, proclaiming a new covenant where "old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). He is the "Sun of Righteousness" who arises "with healing in his wings" ([Malachi 4:2](/malachi/4-2 "Malachi 4:2 - The Sun of Righteousness")), dispelling the darkness and bringing warmth and light. The "rain" of judgment and sorrow is "over and gone" for those who are in Him, replaced by the refreshing waters of the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life ([John 7:38](/john/7-38 "John 7:38 - Rivers of Living Water")). Christ's resurrection is the ultimate springtime, guaranteeing that just as He rose to new life, believers too will experience a glorious renewal, moving from the dormancy of death to the vibrant, eternal fellowship with God in His presence ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 60:1

¶ Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

Isaiah 60:2

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

¶ He hath made every [thing] beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Isaiah 54:6

¶ For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

Isaiah 54:8

In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

Ephesians 5:8

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Ecclesiastes 3:4

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;