Song Of Solomon 2:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The fig tree {H8384} putteth forth {H2590} her green figs {H6291}, and the vines {H1612} with the tender grape {H5563} give {H5414} a good smell {H7381}. Arise {H6965}, my love {H7474}, my fair one {H3303}, and come away {H3212}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The fig trees are forming their unripe figs, and the grapevines in bloom give out their perfume. Get up, my love, my beauty! Come away!"

Berean Standard Bible

The fig tree ripens its figs; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come away, my darling; come away with me, my beautiful one.”

American Standard Version

The fig-tree ripeneth her green figs, And the vines are in blossom; They give forth their fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 2:13 is a tender and urgent invitation from the Beloved to his Shulamite, set against the vibrant backdrop of early spring. It captures a moment of idyllic natural beauty and deep affection, using the imagery of ripening fruit and fragrant vines to symbolize the opportune season for love to flourish and for shared intimacy to deepen, culminating in a passionate call to "arise and come away."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a larger poetic dialogue (Song of Solomon 2:8-14) where the Beloved arrives, leaping over mountains, to call his beloved Shulamite to join him. The verses immediately preceding, [Song of Solomon 2:11-12](/song_of_solomon/2-11 "Song of Solomon 2:11-12 - Winter is Past"), vividly describe the departure of winter, the blossoming of flowers, the singing of birds, and the appearance of the turtle-dove, all signaling a season of renewal and joy. Verse 13 continues this progression of natural imagery, offering further evidence of the season's readiness for their shared experience, moving from general signs of spring to specific indicators of fruitfulness and harvest. The invitation to "come away" is a direct response to this blossoming world, emphasizing that the time for their love to flourish is now.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society, and the rhythms of nature deeply influenced daily life and cultural understanding. Spring was a crucial season, marking the end of the rainy winter and the beginning of the agricultural cycle, promising new growth and future harvest. Figs and grapes were staple crops, symbolizing prosperity, fertility, and blessing. The "green figs" (Hebrew: _pag_) refer to the early, unripe figs that appear before the main crop, while "tender grape" (Hebrew: _çᵉmâdar_) denotes the vine blossom or very young grape, both signaling the initial stages of fruit production. This imagery would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with the land's bounty, associating the season with hope, abundance, and the delightful anticipation of a rich harvest. The setting often evokes a garden or vineyard, which in ancient Near Eastern literature, including the Bible, frequently serves as a metaphor for intimacy and delight, as seen in [Song of Solomon 4:12](/song_of_solomon/4-12 "Song of Solomon 4:12 - A Garden Locked Up").
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully conveys several key themes central to the Song of Solomon and broader biblical thought. Firstly, it highlights **The Beauty and Renewal of Spring**, portraying nature's awakening as a mirror to the flourishing love between the Beloved and the Shulamite. This natural imagery of "green figs" and "tender grape" signifies growth, fertility, and new beginnings, suggesting a time ripe with promise and delightful anticipation. Secondly, the repeated call to "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away" underscores **The Urgency and Passion of Love's Invitation**. It is a tender yet insistent plea for immediate companionship and shared joy, emphasizing that the ideal moment should not be missed. This urgency is a recurring motif when God calls His people to action or fellowship, as seen in the prophetic calls to return to the Lord in [Hosea 6:1](/hosea/6-1 "Hosea 6:1 - Come, Let Us Return to the Lord"). Thirdly, the imagery of early fruit, not yet fully ripe, speaks to **Anticipation and Maturation**. The "green figs" and "tender grape" signal the coming harvest and the sweet fruit to be enjoyed, symbolizing the delightful prospects and growing intimacy within the relationship, a process of development and fulfillment. Finally, the terms "my love" (Hebrew: _ra'yah_, often meaning 'my companion' or 'my friend') and "my fair one" (Hebrew: _yafah_, 'beautiful') emphasize **Mutual Admiration and Affection**, reinforcing the deep foundation of their loving bond and the esteem in which they hold one another.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **chânaṭ (Hebrew, _chânaṭ'_):** This verb, translated "putteth forth," signifies the process of ripening or embalming. In this context, it specifically refers to the fig tree developing its fruit. It implies a natural, organic progression from blossom to early fruit, highlighting the nascent stage of the figs and the unfolding of the season's promise. It's not just "producing" but "ripening" or "setting" its fruit, indicating a specific, delicate stage of growth.
* **qûwm (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** Translated "Arise," this is a primitive root meaning "to rise" in various applications, including literal standing up, establishing, confirming, or stirring up. Here, it is an imperative, a direct command to action. It conveys urgency and a call to leave one's current state or location to embark on a new experience. It's an active, decisive call, reflecting the Beloved's desire for immediate companionship.
* **yâpheh (Hebrew, _yâpheh'_):** This adjective, translated "fair one," means "beautiful" in both literal and figurative senses. It underscores the Beloved's deep admiration and affection for the Shulamite, highlighting her physical attractiveness and perhaps her inner qualities as well. It is a term of endearment that reinforces the mutual appreciation foundational to their loving relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The fig tree putteth forth her green figs":** This clause introduces the first sign of spring's advanced state. The "green figs" (Hebrew: _pag_) are the early, unripe figs, indicating that the season has progressed beyond mere blossoms to the initial stages of fruit-bearing. This imagery evokes a sense of promise and anticipation, as these early figs precede the main harvest, signaling future abundance.
* **"and the vines [with] the tender grape give a [good] smell":** This phrase adds another sensory detail, focusing on the fragrance of the vine blossoms or very young grapes (Hebrew: _çᵉmâdar_). The "good smell" (Hebrew: _rêyach_) is a delightful aroma, further emphasizing the pleasantness and fertility of the season. It suggests a vibrant, living environment, ripe with the potential for sweet fruit, mirroring the blossoming of their love.
* **"Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.":** This is the Beloved's direct, passionate, and urgent invitation. "Arise" (Hebrew: _qûwm_) is a call to action, while "come away" (Hebrew: _yâlak_, often used emphatically in Hebrew, _lakh lakh_) conveys a tender insistence for shared movement and departure. The terms "my love" (Hebrew: _raʻyâh_) and "my fair one" (Hebrew: _yâpheh_) are terms of deep endearment, highlighting the affection and admiration that underpin this urgent call to intimacy and shared experience.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 2:13 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid sensory picture of spring's awakening. The "green figs" and "tender grape" appeal to sight and touch, while the "good smell" of the vines engages the sense of smell, creating an immersive and delightful atmosphere. This natural imagery serves as a powerful **Symbolism** for the flourishing and ripening of love between the Beloved and the Shulamite. The progression from early figs and tender grapes to a full harvest can be seen as a **Metaphor** for the growth and maturation of their relationship, moving from initial attraction to deeper intimacy and fulfillment. The Beloved's repeated, insistent call to "Arise... and come away" employs **Repetition** (or emphatic phrasing in the Hebrew) to convey urgency and deep longing, underscoring the opportune nature of the moment and his passionate desire for his beloved's presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, situated within the Song of Solomon, beautifully illustrates the divine design for love, intimacy, and partnership, reflecting aspects of God's relationship with humanity. The imagery of nature's awakening and the call to "come away" can be seen as an echo of God's constant invitation to His people to enter into deeper fellowship and experience the richness of His presence. Just as the Beloved calls his Shulamite to enjoy the beauty of the season, God calls believers to partake in the new life and spiritual abundance He offers, especially during seasons of spiritual renewal and growth. It speaks to the active pursuit of relationship, the delight found in communion, and the importance of responding to divine invitations.

* [Song of Solomon 2:10](/song_of_solomon/2-10 "Song of Solomon 2:10 - The Beloved's First Call")
* [Deuteronomy 8:8](/deuteronomy/8-8 "Deuteronomy 8:8 - A Land of Fig Trees and Vines")
* [Hosea 14:8](/hosea/14-8 "Hosea 14:8 - God's Fruitfulness for Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 2:13 offers profound insights for both human relationships and our spiritual walk. In our personal relationships, it reminds us to cherish and seize the opportune moments for connection, joy, and shared experience. Just as the Beloved eagerly calls his Shulamite to "come away" and enjoy the beauty of the season, we are encouraged to be intentional in pursuing and responding to invitations for intimacy and companionship with those we love. It highlights the beauty of mutual appreciation and the importance of actively cultivating a relationship, recognizing and celebrating the "spring seasons" of growth and renewal. Spiritually, this verse serves as a tender invitation from God to His children. It calls us to "arise" from spiritual complacency or the burdens of life, and "come away" into deeper fellowship with Him, especially in times of spiritual renewal and fresh revelation. It encourages us to be attuned to the "smell" of His presence and the "green figs" of His new mercies, responding with eagerness and delight to His gracious call for communion and transformation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we better recognize and respond to the "spring seasons" of growth and opportunity in our personal relationships and spiritual lives?**
* **What might it mean for you, personally, to "arise" from your current circumstances and "come away" into a deeper, more present relationship with Christ today?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate a sense of anticipation and delight in our spiritual journey, mirroring the natural imagery of ripening fruit and fragrant vines?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the natural imagery (fig tree, vines) in this verse?**

Answer: The natural imagery of the fig tree putting forth green figs and the vines giving a good smell with tender grapes is highly significant. In ancient Israel, figs and grapes were vital agricultural products, symbolizing fertility, prosperity, and blessing. The appearance of "green figs" and "tender grape" signifies the very beginning of the fruit-bearing season, a time of promise and delightful anticipation before the full harvest. This imagery reflects the nascent but flourishing state of the love between the Beloved and the Shulamite, suggesting that their relationship is entering a ripe, fertile period. It connects their love story to the rhythms of creation, implying that their bond is natural, vibrant, and full of potential for future sweetness, much like the "land flowing with milk and honey" described in [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey"), which often included these very fruits as signs of abundance, as seen in [Deuteronomy 8:8](/deuteronomy/8-8 "Deuteronomy 8:8 - A Land of Fig Trees and Vines").

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

Answer: While primarily a celebration of human love, many theological traditions interpret the Song of Solomon allegorically as a depiction of the love between Christ and His Church, or between God and Israel. In this allegorical sense, Song of Solomon 2:13 becomes a tender invitation from Christ, the divine Bridegroom, to His Church or to the individual believer. The "spring" represents a season of spiritual renewal, the dawning of the New Covenant, or a personal awakening to God's grace. The "green figs" and "tender grape" symbolize the early fruits of the Spirit, the promises of God, or the nascent signs of spiritual growth in a believer's life. Christ's call to "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away" is an invitation to deeper fellowship, to leave behind the "winter" of sin or spiritual stagnation, and to embrace the vibrant, fruitful life found in communion with Him. This echoes Jesus' invitation in [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest"), "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," highlighting a divine call to intimacy and rest in His presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 2:13 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate Bridegroom pursuing His Bride, the Church. The Beloved's urgent and affectionate call to "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away" beautifully prefigures Christ's ongoing invitation to humanity. Just as the natural world awakens in spring, signaling a time of new life and fruitfulness, so too did Christ's coming usher in a new spiritual season, a new covenant where the "winter" of sin and death has passed away, and the "flowers appear on the earth" through His resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (cf. [Song of Solomon 2:11-12](/song_of_solomon/2-11 "Song of Solomon 2:11-12 - Winter is Past")). The "green figs" and "tender grape" symbolize the early fruits of the Kingdom of God, the initial signs of spiritual life and the promise of abundant harvest that Christ makes possible. His invitation is not merely to a physical place but to a transformed state of being, a life of intimate fellowship with Him. He calls us to "come away" from the burdens of the world, the weight of sin, and the distractions of earthly pursuits, into His rest and abundant life, as He promised in [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). In Christ, we are truly His "fair one," made beautiful by His righteousness, and His "love," cherished as His beloved Bride, for whom He gave His life (cf. [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Loves the Church")). His call is eternal, beckoning us to a perpetual spring of grace and communion, where we, like the branches connected to the true vine, bear much fruit for His glory (cf. [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in the Vine")).

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

Song Of Solomon 2:10

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Isaiah 55:10

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.

Song Of Solomon 7:11

Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.

Song Of Solomon 7:13

The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates [are] all manner of pleasant [fruits], new and old, [which] I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

Luke 13:6

¶ He spake also this parable; A certain [man] had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

Luke 13:7

Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?