Song of Songs 2:15

Song of Songs 2:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
• New International Version (NIV)Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom."
• New King James Version (NKJV)Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.

Context of Song of Songs 2:15

13The fig tree has budded and ripens her figs, And the vines are in blossom and give forth their fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, And come away [to climb the rocky steps of the hillside].’ ” 14“O my dove, [here] in the clefts in the rock, In the sheltered and secret place of the steep pathway, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely.” “Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that spoil and ruin the vineyards [of love], While our vineyards are in blossom.” 16“My beloved is mine and I am his; He pastures his flock among the lilies. 17Until the cool of the day when the shadows flee away, Return quickly, my beloved, and be like a gazelle Or a young stag on the mountains of Bether [which separate us].”

Song of Songs 2:15 word by word

אֶֽחֱזוּ־לָ֙נוּ֙ שֽׁוּעָלִ֔ים שֽׁוּעָלִ֥ים קְטַנִּ֖ים מְחַבְּלִ֣ים כְּרָמִ֑ים וּכְרָמֵ֖ינוּ סְמָדַֽר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Takeאָחַז'âchaz · to graspH270
• us the foxesשׁוּעָלshû‛âl shû‛âl · foxH7776
• the littleקָטָןqâţân qâţôn · smallH6996
• that spoilחָבַלchâbal · to destroyH2254
• the vinesכֶּרֶםkerem · vineyardH3754
• tender grapesסְמַדֵרsemâdar · blossomH5563

Commentaries on Song of Songs 2:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15Take us the foxes - That these were ruinous to vines all authors allow. They love the vine, and they are eaten in autumn in some countries, according to Galen, when they are very fat with eating the grapes. They abounded in Judea; and did most damage when the clusters were young and tender. It is likely that these are the words of the bridegroom to his companions, just as he was entering the apartment of his spouse. "Take care of the vineyard: set the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-17Verses 14-17 The church is Christ's dove; she returns to him, as her Noah. Christ is the Rock, in whom alone she can think herself safe, and find herself easy, as a dove in the hole of a rock, when struck at by the birds of prey. Christ calls her to come boldly to the throne of grace, having a great High Priest there, to tell what her request is. Speak freely, fear not a slight or a repulse. The voice of prayer is sweet and acceptable to God; those who…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15The foxes might symbolize threats to the relationship. These threats are not specified; they could be the usual ups and downs of love, rival suitors, or anything else that might prevent the couple from enjoying each other's company. In the dramatic view, the woman’s role as a vinedresser is still relevant. She is likely instructing the vinedressers who managed her vineyard and received two hundred pieces of silver from her in Song of Solomon 8:12. The…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. Transition to the vineyard, often formed in "stairs" (So 2:14), or terraces, in which, amidst the vine leaves, foxes hid. foxes--generic term, including jackals. They eat only grapes, not the vine flowers; but they need to be driven out in time before the grape is ripe. She had failed in watchfulness before (So 1:6); now when converted, she is the more jealous of subtle sins (Psa 139:23). In spiritual winter certain evils are frozen up, as well as…Read the comment

Topics related to Song of Songs 2:15

• Flagon
• Fox
• Sin

In the dictionaries

• Tender
• Fox
• Vine

Commentaries on Song of Songs 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary