King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 2:10 Mean?

Song of Solomon 2:10 in the King James Version says “My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Song of Solomon 2:10 · KJV


Context

8

The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

9

My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. shewing: Heb. flourishing

10

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

11

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

12

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The bride recalls her beloved's invitation: 'My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.' The dual imperatives 'rise up' (qumi, קוּמִי) and 'come away' (lekhi-lakh, לְכִי־לָךְ) summon urgent response and departure. The terms of endearment—'my love' (rayati, רַעְיָתִי) and 'my fair one' (yaphati, יָפָתִי)—express affection and admiration. The context (verses 11-13) reveals this as springtime invitation: winter has passed, flowers appear, singing birds return. The beloved calls the bride to leave confinement and enjoy creation's renewal with him. This verse celebrates love's invitation to partnership, adventure, and shared joy. Spiritually, it represents Christ's call to believers: leave sin's bondage, rise from spiritual deadness, come to Him for abundant life. The resurrection imagery ('rise up') anticipates new life in Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Palestinian winters brought rain and cold, confining people indoors. Spring's arrival—warm weather, blooming flowers, migrating birds—invited outdoor activity and celebration. The beloved's invitation reflects ancient courtship patterns: inviting the bride to walks, shared experiences, and enjoyment of creation together. The imperative 'rise up' resonates with prophetic summons: 'Arise, shine; for thy light is come' (Isaiah 60:1). Early church fathers heard Christ's Easter call: 'Rise up' from death and sin, 'come away' from the world to resurrection life. The medieval hymn 'Veni dilecti' ('Come, beloved') celebrated Christ calling the soul from worldly attachment to heavenly communion. The Reformers emphasized that salvation involves Christ's summons and the sinner's responsive rising to new life. Modern readers recognize both romantic invitation (shared life and joy) and spiritual call (leaving old life for new creation in Christ).

Reflection Questions

  1. What is Christ inviting you to 'rise up' from—what spiritual deadness, sin patterns, or worldly attachments—and to 'come away' toward?
  2. How does this verse inform godly courtship and marriage—partners inviting each other into shared adventure, beauty, and joy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
עָנָ֥ה1 of 10

spake

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

דוֹדִ֖י2 of 10

My beloved

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

וְאָ֣מַר3 of 10

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִ֑י4 of 10
H0
ק֥וּמִי5 of 10

unto me Rise up

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לָ֛ךְ6 of 10
H0
רַעְיָתִ֥י7 of 10

my love

H7474

a female associate

יָפָתִ֖י8 of 10

my fair one

H3303

beautiful (literally or figuratively)

וּלְכִי9 of 10
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לָֽךְ׃10 of 10
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Song of Solomon. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Song of Solomon 2:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Song of Solomon 2:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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