King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 2:13 Mean?

Song of Solomon 2:13 in the King James Version says “The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fai...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Song of Solomon 2:13 · KJV

Love

Context

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;

13

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.

14

O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

15

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

Read Song of Solomon 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The Hebrew 'hate'enah chaneta pageyha' (הַתְּאֵנָה חָנְטָה פַגֶּיהָ, the fig tree ripens its early figs) and 'gefarim semadar' (גְּפָנִים סְמָדַר, vines in blossom) describe specific agricultural signs of spring—edible early figs (pagim, פַּגִים) and fragrant grape blossoms. Give a good smell (natenu reyach, נָתְנוּ רֵיחַ) emphasizes fragrance—spring brings not only visual beauty but aromatic delight.

The beloved repeats his invitation (from verse 10): Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away—now supported by comprehensive evidence that the time is right. Fig ripening and vine blossoming signal not just beauty but promise of fruitfulness—today's blossoms become tomorrow's harvest. The beloved invites the bride to share in creation's fertility, beauty, and abundance. Spiritually, Christ calls believers into fruitful life—no longer barren but bearing fruit through union with Him (John 15:5). The Spirit produces fragrant 'fruit' (Galatians 5:22-23) in yielded lives. Christ's invitation promises both present beauty (relationship with Him) and future harvest (eternal fruit).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Early figs (pagim) appeared in May/June before the main fig crop, providing delicious early fruit. Grape blossoms in April/May filled vineyards with sweet fragrance before producing grapes. Ancient Israelites lived by agricultural cycles—these signs meant prosperity, abundance, and God's blessing approaching. The Song uses agricultural imagery throughout because original readers understood vineyard, orchard, and garden metaphors intuitively. Early church fathers saw the 'green figs' and 'tender grapes' as beginning fruit of sanctification—early evidence of grace's work, promise of fuller maturity ahead. The Reformers distinguished between positional righteousness (immediate at justification) and progressive sanctification (the 'green figs' growing toward maturity). The Puritans emphasized 'examining fruit'—evidence of genuine conversion and Spirit's indwelling. Modern readers, often disconnected from agriculture, can recover the power of these metaphors by understanding ancient agrarian life.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'green figs' and 'tender grapes'—early evidence of spiritual fruit—is Christ producing in your life as signs of His indwelling and promise of greater harvest?
  2. How does Christ's repeated invitation 'arise and come away' challenge complacency or reluctance to fully engage with Him and His purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
הַתְּאֵנָה֙1 of 13

“The fig tree”

H8384

the fig (tree or fruit)

חָֽנְטָ֣ה2 of 13

“putteth forth”

H2590

to spice; by implication, to embalm; also to ripen

פַגֶּ֔יהָ3 of 13

“her green figs”

H6291

crude; an unripe fig

וְהַגְּפָנִ֥ים׀4 of 13

“and the vines”

H1612

a vine (as twining), especially the grape

סְמָדַ֖ר5 of 13

“with the tender grape”

H5563

a vine blossom; used also adverbially, abloom

נָ֣תְנוּ6 of 13

“give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

רֵ֑יחַ7 of 13

“a good smell”

H7381

odor (as if blown)

ק֥וּמִי8 of 13

“Arise”

H6965

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

לָ֛כְי9 of 13
H1980

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

רַעְיָתִ֥י10 of 13

“my love”

H7474

a female associate

יָפָתִ֖י11 of 13

“my fair one”

H3303

beautiful (literally or figuratively)

וּלְכִי12 of 13
H1980

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

לָֽךְ׃13 of 13
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 2:13 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 2:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 2:10Isaiah 61:11Luke 13:6-7Isaiah 55:10-11Song of Solomon 7:11-132 Corinthians 6:1-2

Test Your Knowledge

Song of Solomon 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterSong of Solomon Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Song of Solomon 2 with CommentaryAll Song of Solomon ChaptersComplete Song of Solomon QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes