King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 7:12 Mean?

Song of Solomon 7:12 in the King James Version says “Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegran...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. appear: Heb. open”

Song of Solomon 7:12 · KJV

Context

10

I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.

11

Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.

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. appear: Heb. open

13

The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The bride continues her invitation, specifying morning vineyard inspection and intimate promise. The Hebrew nashkimah lakkeramim nir'eh im pareḥah haggofen pittaḥ hassemadar heneitsu harimonim sham etten et-doday lakh (נַשְׁכִּימָה לַכְּרָמִים נִרְאֶה אִם־פָּרְחָה הַגֶּפֶן פִּתַּח הַסְּמָדַר הֵנֵצוּ הָרִמֹּנִים שָׁם אֶתֵּן אֶת־דֹּדַי לָךְ) blends agricultural observation with erotic promise.

"Let us get up early" (nashkimah) uses shakam (שָׁכַם), meaning to rise early, start early—suggesting eagerness and priority. The righteous throughout Scripture rise early to meet God (Abraham in Genesis 22:3; Moses in Exodus 34:4; Jesus in Mark 1:35). "To the vineyards" (lakkeramim) recalls the bride's earlier self-identification: "my own vineyard have I not kept" (1:6). Now she invites inspection of vineyards, suggesting restored attention to what matters. The threefold question—"if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth"—employs horticultural terminology: parach (פָּרַח, bloom), semadar (סְמָדַר, grape blossom), nets (נֵץ, bud). This detailed inspection shows attentiveness to growth stages.

"There will I give thee my loves" (sham etten et-doday lakh) makes the vineyard setting occasion for intimate love. Dodim (דֹּדִים) means loves or love-acts, used elsewhere for physical intimacy (Proverbs 7:18, Ezekiel 16:8). The agricultural imagery is deliberate—fruitfulness in fields mirrors fruitfulness in marriage. Spiritually, this pictures the church inspecting her spiritual health and offering devotion to Christ. The early morning emphasis suggests worship's priority (Psalm 5:3, 63:1). Just as vine inspection requires attentiveness to detail, so spiritual self-examination requires honest assessment (2 Corinthians 13:5).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient viticulture required careful seasonal attention. Spring inspection was critical—vine blossoms appeared March-May, vulnerable to late frosts or pests. Semadar (grape blossom) was brief phase between budbreak and fruit set, fragrant but delicate. Pomegranate buds likewise demanded monitoring for proper fruit development. Successful harvest depended on vigilant care during these early growth stages. The bride's invitation to early morning vineyard inspection thus combines practical agricultural wisdom with romantic intimacy—productive labor becomes context for love. This reflects biblical pattern where work and worship, productivity and intimacy, aren't compartmentalized but integrated (Colossians 3:23-24).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the bride's eagerness to rise early and inspect vineyards model spiritual vigilance and attentiveness to growth in our walk with Christ?
  2. What does the integration of agricultural inspection and intimate love teach about viewing all of life—work, worship, relationships—as occasions for glorifying God?
  3. In what ways can the church corporately practice spiritual "vineyard inspection"—honest assessment of fruitfulness, health, and areas needing attention?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
נַשְׁכִּ֙ימָה֙1 of 15

“Let us get up early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

לַכְּרָמִ֔ים2 of 15

“to the vineyards”

H3754

a garden or vineyard

נִרְאֶ֞ה3 of 15

“let us see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אִם4 of 15
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

פָּֽרְחָ֤ה5 of 15

“flourish”

H6524

to break forth as a bud, i.e., bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish

הַגֶּ֙פֶן֙6 of 15

“if the vine”

H1612

a vine (as twining), especially the grape

פִּתַּ֣ח7 of 15

“appear”

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

הַסְּמָדַ֔ר8 of 15

“whether the tender grape”

H5563

a vine blossom; used also adverbially, abloom

הֵנֵ֖צוּ9 of 15

“bud forth”

H5132

properly, to flash; hence, to blossom (from the brilliancy of color)

הָרִמּוֹנִ֑ים10 of 15

“and the pomegranates”

H7416

a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament)

שָׁ֛ם11 of 15
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶתֵּ֥ן12 of 15

“there will I give”

H5414

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

אֶת13 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דֹּדַ֖י14 of 15

“thee my loves”

H1730

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

לָֽךְ׃15 of 15
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 7:12 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 7:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 6:11Psalms 122:5Ephesians 6:241 Thessalonians 3:5-6Song of Solomon 7:62 Corinthians 13:5

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