Song Of Solomon 2 15

Song Of Solomon 2:15 kjv

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

Song Of Solomon 2:15 nkjv

Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.

Song Of Solomon 2:15 niv

Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.

Song Of Solomon 2:15 esv

Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom."

Song Of Solomon 2:15 nlt

Catch all the foxes,
those little foxes,
before they ruin the vineyard of love,
for the grapevines are blossoming!

Song Of Solomon 2 verses

Song Of Solomon 2 15 Meaning

Song of Solomon 2:15 is a call to action against small but significant threats. Literally, it refers to real foxes damaging grapevines, particularly when the fruit is forming. Metaphorically, this verse carries profound meaning for various aspects of life, including marriage, spiritual life, and the corporate body of believers. It highlights the subtle and often underestimated nature of dangers that can slowly but surely destroy precious and promising relationships or spiritual fruitfulness. The "vineyards in blossom" symbolize a season of great potential, vulnerability, and impending fruit, emphasizing the critical timing for addressing these issues before they cause irreparable harm.

Song Of Solomon 2 15 Context

Song of Solomon chapter 2 is often seen as a joyful, romantic exchange between the Shulamite and her beloved, set against the backdrop of spring. Verse 15, while seeming to interrupt the romantic flow, acts as a practical warning. It implies that their blossoming love and communion (symbolized by the vineyards in bloom) need active protection from subtle destructive elements. Within the book's broader context, if interpreted as an allegory for God's relationship with His people (Israel or the Church), or Christ's relationship with the individual believer, the "vineyard" represents spiritual fruitfulness, the covenant relationship, or the Christian life. The call to "catch the foxes" is a plea for vigilance against anything that could mar or spoil this sacred and productive connection. The historical and cultural context underscores the immense value of vineyards in ancient Israel as a source of livelihood and blessing, making their protection paramount.

Song Of Solomon 2 15 Word analysis

• Catch (אֶחֱזוּ, 'echezû): This imperative verb signifies active pursuit, capturing, seizing. It implies intention and effort. It is not about merely observing the problem but actively dealing with it.
• for us (לָנוּ, lanu): This dative pronoun emphasizes the personal benefit and shared responsibility. The "catching" is for "us," highlighting mutual concern and cooperation in protecting something valuable to both parties.
• the foxes (שׁוּעָלִים, shu'alim): Refers to literal foxes, known pests that prey on vineyards. Metaphorically, "foxes" symbolize cunning, destructive, and often hidden forces or issues. They are not grand, overt attacks, but rather insidious threats that gnaw away.
• the little foxes (שׁוּעָלִים קְטַנִּים, shu'alim qetannim): The addition of "little" is crucial. Qetannim emphasizes smallness, insignificance at first glance. These are not huge, easily noticeable problems, but seemingly minor compromises, bad habits, unspoken resentments, neglects, or subtle doctrinal errors. Their "littleness" makes them easier to overlook but also allows them to operate unhindered, causing extensive damage over time.
• that spoil (חֹבְלִים, khovlim): This word means to damage, lay waste, corrupt, or destroy. It speaks of a progressive act of marring and ruination. The "little foxes" are not harmless; they are actively and systematically causing destruction. The spoil implies potential future harvest being jeopardized.
• the vineyards (כְּרָמִים, k'ramim): Literally, grape vineyards, vital for livelihood and celebratory feasts. In biblical symbolism, "vineyards" frequently represent Israel (Isa 5:7), the spiritual life of a believer, marriage, the church, or any sphere of life that God desires to be fruitful.
• for our vineyards (וּכְרָמֵינוּ, ukerameinu): The possessive "our" underscores the shared ownership and vulnerability. This isn't just someone else's problem, but a mutual concern, requiring collective vigilance.
• are in blossom (סְמָדַר, smadar): This refers to the critical stage when grape blossoms appear, before the fruit fully develops. This is a time of great promise, potential, and vulnerability. Damage at this stage can prevent any fruit from forming. It implies the delicacy of new beginnings, fragile intimacy, or nascent spiritual growth.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Catch for us the foxes: This phrase establishes a shared responsibility and urgency. It's an active, intentional, and cooperative effort required to address threats to a cherished good.
• the little foxes that spoil the vineyards: This highlights the nature of the threat: not obvious, but insidious and highly destructive. The "little" aspect points to problems that often go unaddressed because they are deemed minor, yet they have a devastating impact on what is valuable.
• for our vineyards are in blossom: This provides the urgent reason for the action. The time of vulnerability and potential (blossoming) is precisely when protection is most needed, lest the promise of future fruit be utterly destroyed. It suggests that neglecting these "little foxes" when things are just beginning to flourish will lead to a barren harvest.

Song Of Solomon 2 15 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "fox" (שׁוּעָל, shu'al) can also refer to a jackal. Both animals are known for their cunning and destructive behavior in agricultural settings, particularly vineyards. The phrase "little foxes" thus captures the essence of cunning, pervasive, and incremental damage rather than overtly violent attacks. This distinction highlights that spiritual enemies often work subtly, introducing errors or temptations that seem minor, yet lead to significant deviation. The act of "catching" implies spiritual discernment (to identify the subtle threat) and swift, decisive action to remove it, rather than allowing it to linger and continue its destructive work. It’s a call for immediate repentance, confrontation (where appropriate), and discipline to protect the integrity of the vineyard. The collective "us" implies community accountability and mutual encouragement in this ongoing vigilance.

Song Of Solomon 2 15 Commentary

Song of Solomon 2:15 serves as a crucial reminder that spiritual fruitfulness, healthy relationships (especially marriage), and flourishing churches are constantly susceptible to insidious threats. The "little foxes" symbolize seemingly insignificant issues – unaddressed resentments, subtle pride, small acts of disobedience, consistent neglect of prayer or fellowship, gossip, minor deceptions, unchecked sinful desires, or critical attitudes – which, if left unchecked, will cumulatively undermine and destroy what is precious. Just as a small breach in a dam can lead to catastrophic failure, these minor compromises or erosions in our walk with Christ or in our relationships can devastate. The "vineyards in blossom" underscore the critical nature of addressing these issues during seasons of new growth, vulnerability, and potential. It is when the "blossoms" of love, faith, and intimacy are most tender that they are most susceptible to being nibbled away, preventing any future fruit. The call is therefore to proactive vigilance and decisive action, working cooperatively ("catch for us"), to safeguard the purity, sanctity, and productivity of our spiritual and relational vineyards before it's too late. It emphasizes that preserving the precious things of God and healthy human connections requires diligent, consistent attention to the seemingly small things.

Examples:

• Marriage: Neglecting to affirm a spouse, passive-aggressive communication, subtle flirtations with others, or unaddressed minor grievances.
• Personal Faith: Skipping daily quiet time "just for today," tolerating small doubts, gossiping "just a little," or allowing small compromises with integrity.
• Church: Allowing unchecked minor disunity, critical murmuring, apathy in small groups, or ignoring subtle drifts from sound doctrine.