TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
We'll get up early and go to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded, to see if their flowers have opened, or if the pomegranate trees are in bloom. There I will give you my love. The mandrakes are sending out their fragrance, all kinds of choice fruits are at our doors, fruits both new and old, my darling, which I have kept in store for you.
Berean Standard Bible
Let us go early to the vineyards to see if the vine has budded, if the blossom has opened, if the pomegranates are in bloom— there I will give you my love.
American Standard Version
Let us get up early to the vineyards; Let us see whether the vine hath budded, Andits blossom is open, Andthe pomegranates are in flower: There will I give thee my love.
World English Bible Messianic
Let’s go early up to the vineyards. Let’s see whether the vine has budded, its blossom is open, and the pomegranates are in flower. There I will give you my love.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Let vs get vp early to the vines, let vs see if the vine florish, whether it hath budded the small grape, or whether the pomegranates florish: there will I giue thee my loue.
Young's Literal Translation
We lodge in the villages, we go early to the vineyards, We see if the vine hath flourished, The sweet smelling-flower hath opened. The pomegranates have blossomed, There do I give to thee my loves;
See also
In the KJVVerse 17,640 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Concerning Virginity 6:34
Actually, what has always been condemned by the church is the perverse opinion of those who dare to dissolve the unity of marriage. Listen again to the voice of holy church: “Come, my brother, let us go forth into the fields, and lodge in the villages; let us go out early to the vineyards, and see whether the vines have budded.” A field may produce many fruits, but the best field is one richly productive of both fruits and flowers. The church is a field of this sort, fecund in diversity.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Commentary on the Song of Songs 7.21
I have preserved for you, my brother, the new and the old; that is to say, I hold on to all the commandments of the new and the old Testament. Only the Church can say this: no other congregation says it, nor does the Synagogue, nor does it hold on to the new according to the literal meaning; nor does it hold on to the old according to the spirit. The heresy of Manichaeus does not say it, 'I have preserved for you the Old,' which does not accept the prophets. It is rightly called white, which shines with the grace of both Testaments.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
Let us rise early and go to the vineyards, etc. Thus let us dwell in the villages so that we may rise to cultivate the vineyards; thus let us make our residence among those who have already converted to the faith, and let us also strive to acquire others whom we may dwell among through evangelizing. And rightly she who is to say, Let us rise to the vineyards, has prefaced it with, Early; for Early speaks of the very rising of the true light, through which the world has been rescued from the power of darkness. Early then, he says, let us rise to the vineyards; as if he plainly says: Because the harm of ancient disbelief has departed, because the light of the shining Gospel now begins to appear, let us rise, I beseech you, to the vineyards, that is, let us give our effort to the churches to be established for God throughout the world.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
Let us see if the vineyard has bloomed, etc. The vineyard blooms when the Church receives the first elements of faith and confession. However, blossoms bring forth fruits when the faith and confession of the saints become prompt, even to the exercise of works of justice, lest their faith be found to be idle or dead without works. The pomegranates bloom when those who have advanced in faith and right action perceive the desire of suffering for righteousness: for the pomegranates, because they appear to be of a sanguine color, fittingly symbolize the passion either of the Lord Savior or of His faithful ones. Rightly in each of these instances the bride seeks the presence of her beloved, saying: Let us go forth into the field, let us dwell in the villages, let us rise to the vineyards, let us see if the vineyard has bloomed, and so forth; for in no way does the Church suffice either to proceed forth to good work by going out, or to persevere in the exercise of good works by dwelling, or to rise to salvation and the purpose of doing good, or to discern how much the souls of its hearers have advanced, without the grace of Him who, about to ascend to heaven, promised, And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28). But if we are willing to accept these words as said by the person of the ancient righteous ones, the term "morning," where it says "Let us rise early to the vineyards," can not incongruously be understood to designate the very time of the Lord's incarnation; for many prophets and righteous men desired to see the times which the apostles saw; they longed to persist in the flesh until the new light of His coming, if it could be done, so that they might hear His words teaching in the flesh, and adhere to His promises, making conversation about Him in the flesh with those who would later believe in Him. The rest can be understood in the same sense as above, where it says "There I will give you my breasts," namely in that place where we come to see the vineyards and the pomegranates, whether they bloom or bear fruit. The breasts of the Church are known to be its teachers, those little ones of hers, who certainly offer these breasts to the Lord when they present their deeds and words in service of His preachers, so that, as nurses are accustomed to nourish little ones with diligent attention, so they strive to act in such a way that those who are still unlearned may, both by sight and by hearing, be able to progress in Christ, and reach the strength of spiritual youth, and become worthy to whom the voice of the blessed John may be said, "I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one" (1 John 2). "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world" (John 2). Rightly, indeed, the Church, having prayed to the Lord, saying, "Come, my beloved, let us go into the field," and the other things that follow, concluded thus, "There I will give you my breasts"; as if she openly said: Therefore I beseech you greatly, that you may undertake the spiritual labor with me, so that I may always acquire new peoples for you, and may know how those who have already been acquired are doing, how much they have progressed in faith; because I strive to subordinate very diligently to you the tutors of my little ones, in such a way that I may forecast for them nothing to follow except what You Yourself have commanded, whether by example or by word. He who said, "We have become little ones in the midst of you, as a nurse cherishes her own children" (1 Thess. 2), thus desiring you, knew that he belonged to these breasts. The bride gave such breasts to her beloved, and to no one else, when, hearing from him, "Separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13), she immediately took care to obey His commands.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 7:12 presents a tender and proactive invitation from the Shulamite woman to her beloved, urging him to join her in the vineyards at dawn. This verse beautifully captures a desire for shared experience, intimate communion, and a mutual observation of nature's flourishing, culminating in her heartfelt promise to express the fullness of her affection in this private, natural setting. It encapsulates themes of relational intentionality, the beauty of shared simple moments, and the profound offering of love.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 7:12 is rich with Imagery, vividly painting a picture of an early morning in a vineyard. The sensory details of "vine flourish," "tender grape appear," and "pomegranates bud forth" evoke sights and perhaps even the delicate scents of a burgeoning spring, creating an atmosphere of freshness, vitality, and promise. This natural imagery functions as Symbolism, where the flourishing plants are a direct Metaphor for the blossoming love between the Shulamite and her beloved. The growth of the vine and fruit trees symbolizes the growth, fertility, and renewal of their relationship, suggesting that their love is as organic and vibrant as nature itself. The act of "getting up early" and "seeing" suggests Intentionality and active participation in nurturing both nature and their bond. The verse also employs Anticipation, building from the invitation to the observation of nature's growth, culminating in the promise of profound intimacy, creating a sense of eager expectation for the consummation of their love. The structure itself moves from a shared activity to a deeply personal offering, creating a powerful emotional arc.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while overtly romantic, carries profound theological and thematic weight, particularly when understood within the broader biblical narrative of love, covenant, and spiritual growth. The Shulamite's invitation to observe the "flourishing" of nature and her promise to "give thee my loves" speaks to the intentionality required in cultivating deep relationships, whether human or divine. It underscores that genuine love is not passive but actively seeks out opportunities for shared experience, mutual observation, and unreserved self-giving. The vineyard, a place of fruitfulness and labor, becomes a sanctuary for intimacy, reminding us that true connection often blossoms in environments where effort and vulnerability are present. This echoes the biblical understanding that love is both a feeling and an action, requiring diligent nurturing and a willingness to offer one's deepest self. The Song, in its portrayal of pure, passionate love, serves as a divine affirmation of marital intimacy as a sacred gift, reflecting God's own relational nature.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 7:12 offers timeless wisdom for nurturing any relationship, be it marital, familial, or even our connection with God. It calls us to intentionality, urging us to "get up early"—to actively seek out and create opportunities for deeper connection rather than passively waiting for them to happen. Just as the Shulamite desired to observe the growth in the vineyard, we are invited to pay close attention to the "flourishing" of our relationships, noticing signs of life, growth, and areas that need nurturing. True intimacy often thrives not in grand gestures but in shared simple moments—a quiet walk, a shared meal, a conversation about the day's observations, or simply being present. The climax of the verse, "there will I give thee my loves," serves as a powerful reminder that love reaches its fullest expression in vulnerability and the complete, unreserved offering of oneself. This means giving our time, our attention, our deepest affections, and our authentic selves to those we cherish, fostering an environment where love can truly blossom and bear fruit, reflecting the divine design for relational flourishing.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the "vineyards" in this verse?
Answer: The vineyards in Song of Solomon 7:12 hold multifaceted significance. Historically and culturally, vineyards were vital agricultural sites in ancient Israel, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and prosperity. For the lovers in the Song, the vineyard serves as a private, natural sanctuary, a place of beauty and growth away from public view. It symbolizes the fertile ground where their love can blossom, mirroring the natural growth of the vines and fruits. It is a place of shared labor, shared observation, and ultimately, shared intimacy and the unreserved giving of "loves." This setting reinforces the organic, natural, and fruitful nature of their relationship, highlighting that true intimacy often flourishes in environments of shared purpose and quiet beauty.
What does "there will I give thee my loves" imply about the Shulamite's affection?
Answer: The phrase "there will I give thee my loves" (Hebrew: dôwdîm) is a powerful declaration of the Shulamite's profound and abundant affection. The use of the plural "loves" emphasizes the multiplicity, intensity, and fullness of her devotion. It implies not just a singular emotion of love, but the entire spectrum of her affectionate expressions—her caresses, kisses, tender words, and intimate gestures. This is a promise of complete self-giving and unreserved intimacy, indicating that in the private, nurturing environment of the vineyard, she intends to fully express the depth and breadth of her passionate love for her beloved. It underscores the reciprocal and active nature of their relationship, where both partners initiate and offer their deepest affections, culminating in a profound and tangible outpouring of love.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 7:12, with its tender invitation to the flourishing vineyard and the promise of unreserved "loves," finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the relationship between Christ and His Church. Just as the Shulamite invites her beloved to a place of growth and intimacy, so Christ, our ultimate Beloved, continually invites His Church into a deeper, more vibrant relationship with Him. He calls us to "get up early," to seek Him diligently and intentionally in the "vineyard" of our spiritual lives, where we can observe the flourishing of His work. He is the True Vine, and we are the branches, called to abide in Him to bear much fruit (John 15:5). The "tender grape" and "pomegranates bud forth" can symbolize the spiritual fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the growth of His kingdom that we are invited to witness and participate in. In response to His persistent invitation and love, the Church, as His bride, is called to "give Him her loves"—to offer Him our wholehearted devotion, worship, and obedience, not out of obligation but out of a deep, reciprocal affection (Ephesians 5:25-27). This verse thus beautifully prefigures the intimate, fruitful, and eternally blossoming union between Christ and His redeemed people, culminating in the joyous marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9).