Song Of Solomon 2:15

KJV

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines [have] tender grapes.

KJV (with Strong's)

Take {H270} us the foxes {H7776}, the little {H6996} foxes {H7776}, that spoil {H2254} the vines {H3754}: for our vines {H3754} have tender grapes {H5563}.

Complete Jewish Bible

[She] "Catch the foxes for us, yes, the little foxes! They are ruining the vineyards when our vineyards are in bloom!"

Berean Standard Bible

Catch for us the foxes— the little foxes that ruin the vineyards— for our vineyards are in bloom.

American Standard Version

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, That spoil the vineyards; For our vineyards are in blossom.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 2:15, an evocative and often-quoted verse, serves as a poignant admonition within the larger poetic narrative, urging vigilance against seemingly minor threats that possess the power to undermine and destroy what is precious, vulnerable, and in its nascent stages of development. It highlights the critical need for proactive protection of blossoming love, faith, or any valuable endeavor from subtle, yet destructive, influences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated in a section of the Song of Solomon (specifically [Song of Solomon 2:8-17](/song_of_solomon/2-8 "Song of Solomon 2:8-17 - The Lover's Call and Springtime Imagery")) that depicts the arrival of spring, a time of renewal, beauty, and the blossoming of love between the Beloved and the Shulamite. The preceding verses ([Song of Solomon 2:10-13](/song_of_solomon/2-10 "Song of Solomon 2:10-13 - The Lover's Invitation")) paint an idyllic picture of nature's awakening, with flowers appearing and birds singing, mirroring the flourishing intimacy of the couple. The sudden interjection to "Take us the foxes" introduces a note of caution and realism amidst the romantic ideal, suggesting that even in the most beautiful and promising circumstances, dangers can lurk, threatening the delicate growth of love. It acts as a call to action, shifting the focus from passive enjoyment of the season to active preservation of its fruits.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, vineyards were vital agricultural assets, representing prosperity, blessing, and the fruitfulness of the land. The imagery of "vines" and "grapes" would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society. Foxes (or more accurately, jackals, which were common in the region and known for their destructive habits) were a persistent menace to vineyards, particularly when the grapes were young and vulnerable. These animals would burrow, gnaw at the roots, or consume the tender shoots and nascent fruit, causing significant economic loss. The call to "take" or catch these pests was a practical, necessary measure for vineyard owners to protect their livelihood. This agricultural reality provides a concrete, relatable backdrop for the metaphorical application of the verse to human relationships and spiritual life.

* **Key Themes:** Song of Solomon 2:15 encapsulates several overarching themes present in the book. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **vulnerability and protection**, emphasizing that what is valuable and in its early stages of development—be it a romantic relationship, a nascent faith, or a spiritual calling—is often delicate and susceptible to harm. Just as [a young plant needs careful tending](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard"), so too do our most precious treasures. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **vigilance against subtle dangers**. The emphasis on "little foxes" suggests that the greatest threats are not always obvious or overwhelming, but often seemingly insignificant issues that, if left unaddressed, can accumulate and cause significant damage. This resonates with the wisdom found in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart"), which admonishes guarding the heart with all diligence. Finally, the verse implicitly calls for **proactive action and discernment**. It is not enough to merely enjoy the blessings; one must actively identify and remove hindrances to ensure continued growth and fruitfulness, a principle applicable to personal spiritual discipline and the health of a community, as seen in [Galatians 5:9](/galatians/5-9 "Galatians 5:9 - A Little Leaven Leavens the Whole Lump").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take (Hebrew, _ʼâchaz'_):** This primitive root means "to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)." In this context, it is an imperative, a direct command to actively apprehend or capture. It implies a deliberate, forceful, and decisive action, not merely a passive observation. The word suggests a need for immediate and effective intervention to gain control over the destructive elements.
* **foxes (Hebrew, _shûwʻâl'_):** This term refers to a jackal (as a burrower) or a fox. Both animals are known for their cunning, stealth, and destructive habits, particularly in agricultural settings. The repetition ("foxes, the little foxes") emphasizes their presence and the specific nature of the threat: they are not large predators, but smaller, more insidious nuisances that work subtly.
* **spoil (Hebrew, _châbal'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind," this word extends to "to pervert, destroy." It signifies causing damage, ruin, or corruption. The action of the foxes is not just a minor inconvenience but a destructive process that actively harms and renders the vines unproductive, indicating a significant threat to the potential harvest.
* **tender grapes (Hebrew, _çᵉmâdar'_):** This term refers to a vine blossom, or more specifically, the very early, unformed fruit of the vine. It denotes a stage of extreme vulnerability and promise. The grapes are not yet mature; they are delicate, easily damaged, and represent the potential for future abundance. Their "tenderness" underscores the urgency of the command to protect them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take us the foxes, the little foxes,"**: This is an urgent, collective plea or command, likely from the Beloved or the Shulamite (or both, representing the unified voice of love). The repetition of "foxes" and the addition of "little" emphasizes that the threat is not from large, obvious dangers, but from seemingly insignificant, yet cumulatively destructive, elements. The imperative "Take" calls for decisive action to capture and remove these pests.
* **"that spoil the vines:"**: This clause identifies the destructive nature of the "foxes." They are not harmless; their activity directly damages the "vines," which represent the source of life and future fruitfulness. The word "spoil" (Hebrew: _châbal_) implies an act of destruction or corruption, highlighting the serious impact of these seemingly small threats.
* **"for our vines [have] tender grapes."**: This final clause provides the crucial reason for the urgent action. The "tender grapes" (Hebrew: _çᵉmâdar_) signify a stage of delicate vulnerability and immense promise. The potential harvest is at risk because the fruit is still young and easily ruined. This underscores the need for immediate intervention to protect the precious, nascent development and ensure future abundance.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 2:15 is rich in **Imagery** and **Symbolism**. The vivid image of "foxes" (specifically "little foxes") "spoiling the vines" with "tender grapes" immediately conjures a scene from an ancient vineyard, making the abstract concept of threat tangible. The "vines" are a powerful **Metaphor** for the flourishing relationship between the lovers, or more broadly, for any valuable endeavor, spiritual journey, or community. The "tender grapes" symbolize the delicate, nascent stage of this relationship or endeavor, representing its vulnerability and immense potential for future fruitfulness. The "little foxes" are a potent **Symbol** for subtle, insidious problems, habits, or influences that, though seemingly minor, can cause significant and irreparable damage if left unchecked. The imperative "Take us" also implies a shared responsibility and a call to **Action**, highlighting the proactive nature required to preserve what is precious.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a profound spiritual allegory, extending beyond romantic love to encompass the Christian life and the health of the Church. The "vines" represent the spiritual life of an individual or the collective body of believers, while the "tender grapes" symbolize nascent faith, spiritual fruit, or the potential for growth and blessing. The "little foxes" are then understood as subtle sins, minor compromises, unresolved conflicts, unaddressed doubts, or seemingly insignificant distractions that, if ignored, can gradually erode spiritual vitality, hinder fruitfulness, and damage relationships within the Body of Christ. The call to "take" them is an urgent summons to spiritual discernment, self-examination, and proactive discipline to protect the precious work of God within us and among us.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart with All Diligence")
* [Galatians 5:9](/galatians/5-9 "Galatians 5:9 - A Little Leaven Leavens the Whole Lump")
* [Hebrews 12:15](/hebrews/12-15 "Hebrews 12:15 - Watch Out for Bitterness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 2:15 is a timeless warning that resonates deeply with the human experience, urging us to recognize and address the seemingly insignificant issues that, if left unattended, can devastate what is most precious and promising in our lives. In personal relationships, it calls for diligence in resolving minor misunderstandings, forgiving small offenses, and maintaining open communication before resentment or distance takes root. Spiritually, it prompts us to identify the "little foxes" in our own lives—subtle temptations, neglected disciplines, unconfessed sins, or unaddressed doubts—that chip away at our faith and hinder our spiritual growth. For communities and churches, it serves as a powerful reminder to guard against internal divisions, gossip, apathy, or doctrinal drift that can spoil the collective "vine" and prevent it from bearing abundant fruit for God's glory. The verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of vigilance, discernment, and proactive care, ensuring that the "tender grapes" of our lives—our character, our relationships, our ministries—are protected and allowed to mature into a bountiful harvest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "little foxes" might be subtly spoiling the "vines" in your most important relationships (e.g., family, friends, spouse)?**
* **In what areas of your personal spiritual life might "little foxes" (e.g., complacency, unaddressed sin, distraction) be hindering your growth or fruitfulness?**
* **How can you, or your community, proactively "take" these "little foxes" before they cause significant damage to the "tender grapes" of your collective witness or mission?**
* **What disciplines or practices can you implement to cultivate greater vigilance and discernment in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What are the "little foxes" in a spiritual sense?**

Answer: In a spiritual sense, the "little foxes" of Song of Solomon 2:15 represent seemingly minor sins, compromises, negative habits, unaddressed doubts, unresolved conflicts, or subtle distractions that, while not overtly catastrophic, gradually erode one's spiritual vitality, hinder growth, and spoil the "fruit" of faith. These can include things like gossip, unforgiveness, spiritual apathy, inconsistent prayer or Bible study, minor dishonesties, or a lack of diligence in pursuing righteousness. Like actual foxes, they work subtly and cumulatively, causing significant damage over time if not identified and dealt with proactively. The Bible often warns against such subtle influences, as seen in [Galatians 5:9](/galatians/5-9 "Galatians 5:9 - A Little Leaven Leavens the Whole Lump") where a "little leaven" is said to leaven the whole lump.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Song of Solomon 2:15 primarily speaks to the preservation of human love and the protection of what is precious, its allegorical depth finds rich fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ Himself is the true "vine" (as declared in [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine")), and believers are the branches, called to abide in Him and bear much fruit. The "tender grapes" can be seen as the nascent life of faith in a believer, the spiritual fruit of the Holy Spirit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")), or the vulnerable early stages of the Church. The "little foxes" then represent the subtle, insidious attacks of the enemy—the devil, who "prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour" ([1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober-Minded")), but also works through deception and temptation ([2 Corinthians 11:3](/2_corinthians/11-3 "2 Corinthians 11:3 - Satan's Deception")). Christ, as the Good Shepherd, protects His flock from these destructive forces ([John 10:10-11](/john/10-10 "John 10:10-11 - The Good Shepherd")). His sacrifice on the cross not only atoned for sin but also disarmed the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Disarming the Powers")). Through Him, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to discern and overcome these "little foxes" of sin, doubt, and division, enabling us to mature and bear abundant fruit for the glory of God, ensuring that the "vine" of our lives and the Church remains fruitful and undefiled.

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

Luke 13:32

And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third [day] I shall be perfected.

2 Peter 2:1

¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:3

¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Song Of Solomon 7:12

Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, [whether] the tender grape appear, [and] the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.

Revelation 2:2

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Ezekiel 13:4

O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.

Ezekiel 13:16

[To wit], the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and [there is] no peace, saith the Lord GOD.