Song of Solomon 7:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical 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).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the bride's eagerness to rise early and inspect vineyards model spiritual vigilance and attentiveness to growth in our walk with Christ?
- What does the integration of agricultural inspection and intimate love teach about viewing all of life—work, worship, relationships—as occasions for glorifying God?
- In what ways can the church corporately practice spiritual "vineyard inspection"—honest assessment of fruitfulness, health, and areas needing attention?
Analysis & 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).