Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:13

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.

13. the fig tree putteth forth her green figs ] The word for ‘green fig’ is paggh, which occurs in its Aramaic form in the name Bethphage. According to Riehm’s Handwrterbuch, the fig bears two kinds of figs. (1) There is the early fig (Heb. bikkrh). These, when unripe, are called paggm. They grow upon the old wood and appear before the leaf-buds, but require about four months, as a rule, to ripen. They are ripe towards the end of June. (2) The late figs (Heb. t’ nm) which grow successively upon the new branches so long as the development of vegetation continues, and ripen at various times. In Palestine they ripen from August onwards. Often, especially in the older trees, there are many figs still unripe when the leaves fall and vegetation stops. These remain on the tree in their unripe state throughout the winter and become ripe only in spring, partly before, and partly after, the coming of the leaves. These, which are usually darker and partly violet coloured, are called winter figs. These latter are the only ones that can be referred to here, for they are a mark of the coming of spring. Probably they too were called paggm.

putteth forth ] With regard to the word thus translated there is much difference of opinion. It is chn h, and the verb occurs elsewhere in Scripture only in Gen 50:2; Gen 50:26, where it means ‘to embalm.’ The dictionaries give two meanings, (1) to spice, (2) to embalm. The latter is here out of the question, but the words may mean, the fig tree spiceth her unripe figs, that is, gives taste and perfume to them. On the other hand it may be rendered reddeneth as the Heb. word for ‘wheat,’ viz. chih, is in all probability derived from this root, and means the red or reddish-brown (cp. Levy’s Neuhebr. Wrterb. 11. 203 a). The corresponding Arabic word which means to redden, occurs of leather only, but all the data suggest that it was also used of the colour of plants approaching maturity. Here consequently it most probably means, the fig tree maketh red ripe her winter figs, which grow red or even violet as they ripen.

and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell ] Rather, as R.V., and the vines (are) in blossom, they give forth their fragrance. Blossom is in Heb. sm dhar, a word which occurs only in the Song of Solomon. The Rabbis and the Mishnah say that the word signifies the tender grapes when they first appear. Twenty days later they become bs r m = , and when they are fully ripe they are called ‘anbhm. Similarly Kimchi. But in the Targum to Isa 18:5 nitztzh = ‘flower’ is translated by semdhar, and in the Syriac version of Isa 17:11 the same word is used where we have, “thou makest thy seed to blossom,” so that probably it is to be taken as ‘bloom’ or flower, more especially as the vines would hardly have rudimentary grapes so early as April, which is the time when the rain is over and gone. The derivation of the word is unknown.

my love ] Here, as in Son 2:10 and elsewhere, my friend.

Arise, my love ] should be Rise up, my friend.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Son 2:13

The vines with the tender grape give a good smell

The tender grapes

The vine is of all trees the most useless unless it bears fruit.

You cannot make hardly anything of it; you would scarcely be able to cut enough wood out of a vine to hang a pot upon; you cannot turn it into furniture, and barely could you use it in the least degree for building purposes. It must either bear fruit, or else it must be consumed in the fire. You all know that there is no possibility of bringing forth any fruit except we are in Christ, and except we abide in Christ. We must bear fruit, or we shall certainly perish; and we cannot have fruit unless we be knit to Christ, vitally one with him, just as a branch is really, after a living fashion, one with the stem. It would be no use to tie a branch to the stem of the vine; that would not cause it to bring forth fruit. It must be joined to it in a living union, so must you and I be livingly joined to Christ. I think I hear some one say, I hope I have begun to bring forth some fruit, but it is very little in quantity, and it is of very poor quality; and I do not suppose that the Lord Jesus will hardly stoop to notice it. Well, now, listen to what the text says; It is the heavenly Bride-groom, it is Christ Himself, who, in this Song, speaks to His spouse, and bids her come into the vineyard, and look about her. For, saith He, The vines with the tender grape give a good smell. So, you see, there was some fruit, though it could only be spoken of as the tender grape. Some read the passage, The vines in blossom give forth fragrance; others think it refers to the grape just as it begins to form. It was a poor little thing, but the Lord of the vineyard was the first to spy it out; and if there is any little fruit unto God upon any one, our Lord Jesus Christ can see it. Though the berry be scarcely formed, though it be only like a flower which has just begun to knit, He can see the fruit, and He delights in that fruit.

I. First, then, what are these tender grapes? What are these first fruits of the Spirit of God?

1. One of the first tender grapes that we spy out on living branches of the true Vine is, a secret mourning for sin, and very often, an open mourning, too. The man is no longer the jovial, light-headed, dare-devil sort of fellow that he was. He has found out that his life has not been right in the sight of God; he has become conscious that he has done much that is altogether wrong, and that he has left undone a thousand things which he ought to have done, and he feels heavy of heart, and sad in spirit. Whenever he sees his sin, it grieves him; and be is grieved because he does not grieve more than he does. This is a crop that will ripen and sweeten before long. Surely, never was there a truly gracious soul who did not put forth this as one of the firstfruits of the Spirit, a secret mourning for sin.

2. Another tender grape is, a humble faith in Jesus Christ. That little trembling faith is one of the tender grapes. It will grow, it will come to perfection in due time, for the least true faith has everlasting life in it.

3. Then there comes another tender grape, and that is, a genuine change of life. The man has evidently turned right about; he is not looking the way he used to look, and he is not living as he used to live. At first he fails, and perhaps fails a good many times, like a child who is learning to walk, and has many a tumble; but it will never walk if it does not tumble a bit. So, when men begin to live the new life, they have many slips. They thought that ugly temper of theirs would never rise again, hut it does, and it grieves them very much; and some old habit, from which they thought they had clean escaped, entangles them unawares, and they say. Surely I cannot be a child of God if I do these things again; and there is great brokenness of spirit, and soul-humbling. Well, that very soul-humbling is a tender grape. That effort to do better–not in your own strength, because you have none, and you are sure to fail utterly if you attempt such a task alone; but the effort to do better in the strength of God, yet with the full consciousness of your own weakness,–all that indicates a real change.

4. Another very blessed fruit of spiritual life in the soul is, secret devotion. The man never prayed before; he went sometimes to a place of worship, but he did not care much about it. Now, you see that he tries to get alone for private prayer as often as he can. Behold, he prayeth, is an indication that God has renewed his heart.

5. Another of these tender grapes is an eager desire for more grace, a longing for more of the good things of the covenant.

6. There is also, in such persons, another very precious sign of grace, and that is, a simple love to Jesus. The heart knows little, but it loves much; the understanding is not yet fully enlightened, but the affections are all on fire.

II. What is the Lords estimate of these tender grapes?

1. Well, first, He thinks so much of it that He calls His Church to come and look at it (Son 2:10-13). We do not usually call our friends to look at things which we do not ourselves admire; so here the Bridegroom calls His spouse to share in His joy in these tokens of the heavenly life of the Church of God. Be always on the look-out for the tender grapes. Ah! says one, that young man does not know much. Does he know that one thing, whereas he was blind, now he can see? Then, be thankful that he knows as much as that. Oh! you exclaim, but he has not much prudence. No; do you suppose that this young man is to have as much prudence as you have at your age, and you are perhaps sixty or seventy? I might possibly say with truth that you have not quite so much zeal as you might have to go with your prudence. Oh, but! you say, we want the young man to be more mature. Give him time, and he will get as mature as you are; but while the grapes are still tender, your Master and his calls you to look at them, and to thank Him for them, for there is something very cheering in the sight of the first weak, faint tokens of the working of the Holy Spirit in the soul of a young believer.

2. What is Christs estimate of these tender grapes? Why, next, He calls them tender, tie might have called them sour, but He does not; He calls them tender. He likes to use a sweet word, you see, the softest and best word that He can use; so when you describe a young convert, my dear brother, do not at once point out his immaturity, but call him tender.

3. Then He says something more: The vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Of what do they smell?

(1) Well, first, they smell of sincerity.

(2) Next, there is about these young believers a sweet smell of heartiness.

(3) There is sure to be also about these young Christians the sweet smell of zeal; and, whatever may be said against zeal, I will take up the cudgels for it as long as I live. In the work of God, we cannot do without fire.

(4) These young believers have another sweet smell: they are teachable, ready to learn, willing to be taught from the Scriptures and from those whose instructions God blesses to their souls.

(5) There is also another delicious smell about them, and that is, they are generally very joyful. I wish that we could catch the sweet contagion of the early joy of those who have just found the Saviour. There is something delightful in all joy when it is joy in the Lord, but there is a special brightness about the delight of those who are newly converted.

III. What is the danger to these tender grapes? (See Son 2:15). In the spiritual vineyard there are foxes of many kinds.

1. There is, first, the hard censurer. He will spoil the vines, if he can, and especially the vines that have the tender grapes. He finds fault with everything that he can see in you who are but young believers. May God deliver you from these cruel foxes! He will often do so by enabling you not to mind them. After all, this is only the way in which all Christians have been tried, there is nothing strange in your experience from these censurers; and they are not your judges, you will not be condemned because they condemn you. Go and do your best in the service of your Lord; trust in Christ, and do not mind what they say; and you will be delivered from that kind of fox.

2. A worse fox even than that one, however, is the flatterer. He comes to you smiling and smirking, and he begins to express his approval of your religion, and very likely tells you what a fine fellow you are. Indeed, you are so good that he thinks you are rather too precise, you have gone a little over the line! Get away from that fox at once. The man who tells you that you are too precise ought to be precisely told that you do not want company. There never lived a man yet who was too holy, and there never will live a man who will imitate Christ too closely, or avoid sin too rigidly.

3. Then there comes another foul fox, Mr. Worldly-wiseman. He says, You are a Christian, but do not be a fool. Carry your religion as far as you can make it pay; but if it comes to losing anything by it, well then, dont you do it. You see, this practice is the custom of the trade; it is not right, I know, but still, other people do it, and you ought to do it. If you do not, you will never get on in business. I know that there are many young people who, unless they are watchful and careful at the very beginning of their spiritual life, will get lamed, and never walk as they ought to do, because this fox has bitten them.

4. There is another ugly fox about, and that is, a doubting fox. He comes and says, You seem very happy, and very joyful; but is it true? You appear to have become quite a different person from what you used to be; but is there, after all, such a thing as conversion?

5. There are some foxes of evil doctrine, and they generally try to spoil our young people. Do not any of you young people be carried away with the notion that all the learned men are heretics; it is very largely the reverse, and it is your sham, shallow philosopher who goes running after heresy. Get out of the way of that fox, or else he will do much mischief to the tender grapes. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 13. The fig tree putteth forth her green figs] The fig tree in Judea bears double crops; the first of which is ripe in spring. But the tree, as I have elsewhere observed, bears figs all the year through, in the climes congenial to it. That is, the fig tree has always ripe or unripe fruit on it. I never saw a healthy tree naked. But in the beginning of spring they grow fast, and become turgid.

The vines with the tender grape] The versions understand this of the flowers of the vine. These were formerly put into the new wine (2 lbs. to every cask) to give it a fine flavour.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Green figs; which it shooteth forth as soon as it doth leaves, in the spring time, Mat 24:32.

A good smell; which, though not strong, is pleasant and grateful, and given by it in the progress of the spring.

Come away: these words are here repeated, to show both the churchs infirmity and indisposition, which needs so many calls and arguments to press so necessary and advantageous a duty; and Christs tender compassion to her weakness, and fervent desire of converse with her.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

13. putteth forthrather,”ripens,” literally, “makes red” [MAURER].The unripe figs, which grow in winter, begin to ripen in earlyspring, and in June are fully matured [WEISS].

vines with the tendergraperather, “the vines in flower,“literally, “a flower,” in apposition with “vines”[MAURER]. The vine flowerswere so sweet that they were often put, when dried, into new wine togive it flavor. Applicable to the first manifestations of JesusChrist, “the true Vine,” both to the Church and toindividuals; as to Nathanael under the fig tree (Joh1:48).

Arise, c.His call,described by the bride, ends as it began (So2:10) it is a consistent whole; “love” from first tolast (Isa 52:1; Isa 52:2;2Co 6:17; 2Co 6:18).”Come,” in the close of Re22:17, as at His earlier manifestation (Mt11:28).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs,…. Another sign of spring being come, nay, of its being pretty much advanced, since Christ makes this a token of summer being at hand, Mt 24:32. Theopompus e speaks of figs in the middle of the spring. This tree puts forth its fruit at once, and does not flower or blossom f, wherefore Hab 3:17 is wrongly translated;

[See comments on Hab 3:17]: though Arianus g speaks of its flowering: Aben Ezra thinks the word signifies the sweetening of the figs, and so points at the time when they are sweet and eatable. By the “fig tree” may be meant the saints putting forth their grace in exercise on Christ, who may be compared to fig trees for their leaves and fruit, and for the putting forth the latter before the former h; for the fig tree is a tree full of large leaves, which may be an emblem of a profession of religion, and of a conversation agreeably to it, which yet are no covering, only the righteousness of Christ is that, yet ought to be and are ornamental; and for the fruit of it, which is wholesome, pleasant, and delightful, as are the fruits of the Spirit, the fruits of grace and righteousness, fruits meet for repentance, which ought to appear before a profession of religion is made. If the Egyptian fig tree is meant, that is a very fruitful tree; it is said to bear fruit seven times a year, but ripens no other way than by scratching it with iron hooks i; and its wood cut down and cast into water, being dry, sinks, but when thoroughly wet will swim. Saints should bear fruit always, and ever continue to do so, even to old age; nor do any ever become fruitful until their hearts have been pricked and cut by the word of God; and they never grow better, or are more fruitful, than when attended with afflictions and tribulations; when they first enter into the waters of affliction, like Peter, they sink, but, when more used to them, they lift up their heads above them, and bear up with great courage and resolution. By the “green figs” may be meant the beginnings of grace in the soul, some stirrings of affection to Christ, desires of knowledge of him, pantings and breathings after his ordinances, love to his people; all which appear soon, are very imperfect, and, like unripe figs, liable to be shaken off; and it is a miracle of grace that the first impressions of it are not destroyed by the force of corruption and temptation; and it may be observed, that grace in its first appearance, though but small, is not despised, but taken notice of by Christ: yea, he makes use of it as exercised by young converts to stir up old professors, as here the church, to be more active and vigorous in it;

and the vines [with] the tender grape give a [good] smell; or “being in flower give a good smell” k, as the word is used in the Targum in

Isa 18:5; and that vines do flower appears from the same place, and from Ge 40:10; as well as is observed by naturalists and others l; and these flowers, and not the tender grapes, emit a sweet smell; and, as some say m, not in the vineyards only, but in the country round about; and these are fitly mentioned next to figs, since the black fig is by some called the sister of the vine n. By the vines may be intended distinct congregated churches of Christ, or particular believers; vines are very weak; and cannot bear up of themselves, must be fixed to some place, and be supported by something else; and being supported, will run up a great height, and bring forth much fruit. So saints are weak in themselves, and cannot support themselves; their strength is in Christ, and they are upheld by him, and have their dependence on him; and being supported by him they grow up to the stature of the fulness of Christ; and through their grafting into him, and abiding in him the true vine, bring forth much fruit to the glory of God, and such as is not to be found in others. The wood of the vine is of very little worth or use, Eze 15:2; and yet is very lasting. Pliny o ascribes a sort of an eternity to it. Believers in Christ, however weak and worthless they are in themselves, as are their best works and services, yet being in Christ they shall abide in him for ever, and never perish, but have everlasting life. And by the “tender grapes”, or “flowers”, may be designed either the graces of the spirit, as before; or rather young converts, the fruit of Christ’s vines, the churches, who, though weak and tender, yet are dear to Christ; and when there is a large appearance of them, it is a great encouragement to churches, and promises a glorious vintage. And the “smell” of these vines, with their grapes and flowers, may intend the fragrancy, of believers through the righteousness of Christ on them, and the odour of their graces, as exercised on him; and the sweet savour of their godly conversation, observed by all about them.

Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; repeated from So 2:10; which shows sluggishness on the part of the church, that she needed one exhortation after another; and great love on the part of Christ, that notwithstanding this he persists in calling her; and even importunity in him, that he will have no denial p: and it may be observed, that what is entertaining to most of the senses is mentioned to engage the church to arise and go along with her beloved; the flowery fields would be pleasing to her eye, the chirping birds to her ear, the sweet and ripening figs to her taste, and the refreshing odour of the vines to her smell.

e Apud Atheanei Deipnosoph. l. 3. c. 4. p. 77. f Plutarch. Sympos. l. 6. problem. 9. Macrob. Saturnal. l. 3. c. 20. g In Epictet. l. 16. c. 15. h Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 16. c. 26. i lbid. l. 13. c. 7. Athenaei Deipnosoph. l. 2. c. 11. p. 11. Solin. Polyhistor. p. 45. k “in flore constitutae”, Mercerus, Michaelis; “vitis pars florens”, Munster; “vineae florentes”, Tigurine version; “nihil gratius florentis odore vitis”, Ambros. Hexaemeron, l. 3. c. 12. l Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 16. c. 25. & l. 17. c. 22. “Si bene floruerit vinea”, &c. Ovid. Fasti, l. 5. so Horat. Epod. Ode 16. v. 44. m Danaeus in Hos. xiv. 7. Levini Lemn. Herb. Biblic. c. 2. n Hipponax apud Athenaei Deipnosoph. l. 3. c. 4. p. 78. o Nat. Hist. l. 14. c. 1. p “Odit verus amor, nec patitur moras”, Senecae Hercul. Fur. v. 587.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(13) The fig tree putteth forth her green figs.Literally, has ripened its unripe figs. Heb., phag (preserved in Bethphage); not the early fruit that appears before the leaves (Mat. 24:31), but the green fruit that remains through the winter (Gesenius and Tristram).

The vines with the tender grape.Literally, the vines (are) blossoms, i.e., are in blossom.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

13. The fig tree putteth forth The verb means really to embalm, and the true sense is, The fig tree is spicing her green figs. The vines, etc. The vines are abloom, they are fragrant.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments