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Text -- The Song of Songs 2:11 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
2:11 Look! The winter has passed, the winter rains are over and gone.
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Winter | Spring | Song | SEASONS | RAINFALL IN JERUSALEM IN INCHES | Personification | Fellowship | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
, Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Sos 2:11 - -- Spiritual troubles arising from a deep sense of the guilt of sin, the wrath of God, the curse of the law; all which made them afraid to come unto God....

Spiritual troubles arising from a deep sense of the guilt of sin, the wrath of God, the curse of the law; all which made them afraid to come unto God. But, saith Christ, I have removed these impediments, God is reconciled; therefore cast off all discouragements, and excuses, and come to me.

JFB: Sos 2:10-11 - -- Loving reassurance given by Jesus Christ to the bride, lest she should think that He had ceased to love her, on account of her unfaithfulness, which h...

Loving reassurance given by Jesus Christ to the bride, lest she should think that He had ceased to love her, on account of her unfaithfulness, which had occasioned His temporary withdrawal. He allures her to brighter than worldly joys (Mic 2:10). Not only does the saint wish to depart to be with Him, but He still more desires to have the saint with Him above (Joh 17:24). Historically, the vineyard or garden of the King, here first introduced, is "the kingdom of heaven preached" by John the Baptist, before whom "the law and the prophets were" (Luk 16:16).

JFB: Sos 2:11 - -- The law of the covenant of works (Mat 4:16).

The law of the covenant of works (Mat 4:16).

JFB: Sos 2:11 - -- (Heb 12:18-24; 1Jo 2:8). Then first the Gentile Church is called "beloved, which was not beloved" (Rom 9:25). So "the winter" of estrangement and sin...

(Heb 12:18-24; 1Jo 2:8). Then first the Gentile Church is called "beloved, which was not beloved" (Rom 9:25). So "the winter" of estrangement and sin is "past" to the believer (Isa 44:22; Jer 50:20; 2Co 5:17; Eph 2:1). The rising "Sun of righteousness" dispels the "rain" (2Sa 23:4; Psa 126:5; Mal 4:2). The winter in Palestine is past by April, but all the showers were not over till May. The time described here is that which comes directly after these last showers of winter. In the highest sense, the coming resurrection and deliverance of the earth from the past curse is here implied (Rom 8:19; Rev 21:4; Rev 22:3). No more "clouds" shall then "return after the rain" (Ecc 12:2; Rev 4:3; compare Gen 9:13-17); "the rainbow round the throne" is the "token" of this.

Clarke: Sos 2:11 - -- The winter is past - Mr. Harmer has made some good collections on this part, from Drs. Shaw and Russet, which I shall transcrilbe. One part of the w...

The winter is past - Mr. Harmer has made some good collections on this part, from Drs. Shaw and Russet, which I shall transcrilbe. One part of the winter is distinguished from the rest of it by the people of the East, on account of the severity of the cold. At Aleppo it lasts about forty days, and is called by the natives maurbanie. I would propose it to the consideration of the learned, whether the word here used, and translated winter, may not be understood to mean what the Aleppines express by the term maurbanie. It occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament; and another word is used for the rainy part of the year in general. If this thought be admitted, it will greatly illustrate the words of the bridegroom: Lo, the winter is past; the rain is over, and gone. For then the last clause will not be explanatory of the first, and signify that the moist part of the year was entirely past; with which, Dr. Russel assures us, all pleasantness withdraws at Aleppo; but the words will import: "The maurbanie is past and over; the weather is become agreeably warm; the rain too is just ceased, and consequently hath left us the prospect of several days of serenity and undisturbed pleasantness.

The weather of Judea was in this respect, I presume, like that at Algiers; where, after two or three days of rain, there is usually, according to Dr. Shaw, "a week, a fortnight, or more, of fair and good weather. Of such a sort of cessation of rain alone, the bridegroom, methinks, is here to be understood; not of the absolute termination of the rainy season, and the summer droughts being come on. And if so, what can the time that is past mean but the maurbanie? Indeed, Dr. Russel, in giving us an account of the excursions of the English merchants at Aleppo, has undesignedly furnished us with a good comment on this and the two following verses. These gentlemen, it seems, dine abroad under a tent, in spring and autumn on Saturdays, and often on Wednesdays. They do the same during the good weather in winter; but they live at the gardens in April, and part of May. In the heat of the summer they dine at the gardens, as once or twice a week they dine under a tent in autumn and spring."The cold weather is not supposed by Solomon to have been long over, since it is distinctly mentioned; and the Aleppines make these incursions very early; the narcissus flowers during the whole of the maurbanie; the hyacinths and violets at least before it is quite over. The appearing of flowers, then, doth not mean the appearing of the first and earliest flowers, but must rather be understood of the earth’ s being covered with them; which at Aleppo is not till after the middle of February, a small crane’ s bill appearing on the banks of the river there about the middle of February, quickly after which comes a profusion of flowers. The nightingales, too, which are there in abundance, not only afford much pleasure by their songs in the gardens, but are also kept tame in the houses, and let out at a small rate to divert such as choose it in the city; so that no entertainments are made in the spring without a concert of these birds. No wonder, then, that Solomon makes the bridegroom speak of the singing of birds; and it teaches us what these birds are, which are expressly distinguished from turtle doves.

Defender: Sos 2:11 - -- Typologically, "the winter" perhaps refers to the long period of Christ's absence, between His ascension and the second coming."

Typologically, "the winter" perhaps refers to the long period of Christ's absence, between His ascension and the second coming."

TSK: Sos 2:11 - -- Ecc 3:4, Ecc 3:11; Isa 12:1, Isa 12:2, Isa 40:2, Isa 54:6-8, Isa 60:1, Isa 60:2; Mat 5:4; Eph 5:8; Rev 11:14, Rev 11:15

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Sos 2:8-17 - -- The bride relates to the chorus a visit which the beloved had paid her some time previously in her native home. He on a fair spring morning solicits...

The bride relates to the chorus a visit which the beloved had paid her some time previously in her native home. He on a fair spring morning solicits her company. The bride, immersed in rustic toils, refuses for the present, but confessing her love, bids him return at the cool of day. It is a spring-time of affection which is here described, still earlier than that of the former chapter, a day of pure first-love, in which, on either side, all royal state and circumstance is forgotten or concealed. Hence, perhaps, the annual recitation of the Song of Songs by the synagogue with each return of spring, at the Feast of Passover, and special interpretations of this passage by Hebrew doctors, as referring to the paschal call of Israel out of Egypt, and by Christian fathers, as foreshadowing the evangelic mysteries of Easter - Resurrection and Regeneration. The whole scene has also been thought to represent the communion of a newly-awakened soul with Christ, lie gradually revealing Himself to her, and bidding her come forth into fuller communion.

Son 2:8

Voice - Better, "sound."Not a voice, but the sound of approaching footsteps is meant (compare "noise,"Isa 13:4).

Son 2:9

Like a roe - Gazelle (compare Pro 5:19 note). The points of comparison here are beauty of form, grace, and speed of movement. In 2Sa 2:18; 1Ch 12:8, princes are compared to "gazelles."

Wall - The clay-built wall of the house or vineyard of the bride’ s family, different from the strong wall of a city or fortress Son 5:7; Son 8:9-10.

Looketh forth at the windows - The meaning evidently is, that he is looking in at, or through, the window from the outside. Compare Son 5:4 note.

Shewing himself - Or, peering. Some, taking the marginal rendering, imagine that the radiant face of the beloved is thus compared to some beautiful flower entangled in the lattice-work which protects the opening of the window, from where he gazes down upon the bride.

Son 2:10-13

Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come away - The stanza begins and ends with this refrain, in which the bride reports the invitation of the beloved that she should come forth with him into the open champaign, now a scene of verdure and beauty, and at a time of mirth and mutual affection. The season indicated by six signs Son 2:11-13 is that of spring after the cessation of the latter rain in the first or paschal month Joe 2:23, i. e., Nisan or Abib, corresponding to the latter part of March and early part of April. Cyril interpreted Son 2:11-12 of our Lord’ s Resurrection in the spring.

Son 2:12

The time of the singing ... - i. e., The song of pairing birds. This is better than the rendering of the ancient versions, "the pruning time is come."

Son 2:13

The vines ... - The vines in blossom give forth fragrance. The fragrance of the vine blossom ("semadar"), which precedes the appearance of "the tender grape,"is very sweet but transient.

Son 2:14

The secret places of the stairs - A hidden nook approached by a zig-zag path. The beloved urges the bride to come forth from her rock-girt home.

Son 2:15

The bride answers by singing what appears to be a fragment of a vine-dresser’ s ballad, insinuating the vineyard duties imposed on her by her brethren Son 1:6, which prevent her from joining him. The destructive propensities of foxes or jackals in general are referred to, no grapes existing at the season indicated. Allegorical interpretations make these foxes symbolize "false teachers"(compare Eze 13:4).

Son 2:16

Feedeth among the lilies - Pursues his occupation as a shepherd among congenial scenes and objects of gentleness and beauty.

Son 2:17

Until the day break - Or, rather, until the day breathe, i. e., until the fresh evening breeze spring up in what is called Gen 3:8 "the cool"or breathing time of the day.

And the shadows flee - i. e., Lengthen out, and finally lose their outlines with the sinking and departure of the sun (compare Jer 6:4). As the visit of the beloved is most naturally conceived of as taking place in the early morning, and the bride is evidently dismissing him until a later time of day, it seems almost certain that this interpretation is the correct one which makes that time to be evening after sunset. The phrase recurs in Son 4:6.

Mountains of Bether - If a definite locality, identical with Bithron, a hilly district on the east side of the Jordan valley 2Sa 2:29, not far from Mahanaim (Son 6:13 margin). If used in a symbolic sense, mountains of "separation,"dividing for a time the beloved from the bride. This interpretation seems to be the better, though the local reference need not be abandoned.

Poole: Sos 2:11 - -- The winter which made the ways in some sort unpassable, and so might seem to hinder or affright thee from coming to me. This winter and the followi...

The winter which made the ways in some sort unpassable, and so might seem to hinder or affright thee from coming to me. This

winter and the following

rain may be understood either,

1. Of worldly tribulations, which he intimates to be past and gone, to wit, so far that they shall not destroy nor hurt the church, but, on the contrary, do her much good, both by multiplying her members, and increasing her graces; and promoting her eternal happiness. Or rather,

2. Of spiritual troubles arising in the minds and consciences of sinners, from a deep sense of the guilt of sin, the justice and wrath of God, the sentence and curse of the law; all which made them afraid to come unto God, and desirous, if possible, to run away from him. But, saith Christ, I have removed this great impediment, God is ready to be reconciled, and therefore cast off all discouragements and excuses, and come unto me.

Haydock: Sos 2:11 - -- Winter. The rigour and darkness of the old law give place to that of light and love. (Origen) --- After persecution had ceased, pruning became mor...

Winter. The rigour and darkness of the old law give place to that of light and love. (Origen) ---

After persecution had ceased, pruning became more necessary. (Calmet) ---

The Israelites and the world were redeemed in spring, and the ceremonies of the law were abolished at the same season. (Menochius)

Gill: Sos 2:11 - -- For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. A season of the year which keeps persons within doors, makes going abroad unsafe, unpleasant,...

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. A season of the year which keeps persons within doors, makes going abroad unsafe, unpleasant, and uncomfortable; very unfit for travelling, roads bad, rivers impassable, and journeying very difficult; but now this season being over, and the spring come, the weather fair, and every thing gay and pleasant, it is inviting to be abroad; winter is by some writers r used not for the season of the year, but for a storm or tempest. Thus the winter and rain may be descriptive of the state and condition of Jews and Gentiles before the coming of Christ s, and which then ceased; it having been a stormy dispensation with the one, and a time of darkness and ignorance with the other, Heb 12:18; or rather it may in general represent the state of God's people both before and after conversion; before conversion it is a time of darkness, coldness, barrenness, and unfruitfulness; and which are removed by the powerful and efficacious grace of Christ: and after conversion it is often a winter season with them, through the blustering winds of Satan's temptations; the storms of impending wrath for sin, as they imagine; the nipping blasts of persecution, and sharp and severe afflictions they are at times exposed unto: moreover, they are often in great darkness of soul, clouds interpose between Christ and them; a great deal of coldness attends them, their hearts are frozen up and hard, and no impression made on them by the preaching of the word, or by the providences of God; there is a coolness in their love to God and Christ, his people, ordinances, cause, and interest; great barrenness and unfruitfulness in them, they look like trees in winter, and no appearance of fruit on them; their hands are sealed up from working, and they become indolent and inactive; and by all these fellowship with Christ is greatly interrupted: but, when the spring returns again, light breaks in upon them, and their hearts are melted with a sense of love; they become lively in their frames, and in the exercise of grace, and are fruitful in good works; and enjoy much calmness and serenity, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost: sometimes they think the winter is not over when it is, and fear more storms are behind, even of divine wrath and vengeance, though without reason; since Christ has bore all wrath for them, and has satisfied law and justice, and has delivered them from wrath to come; and he that has done this says, "the winter is past", &c.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

Geneva Bible: Sos 2:11 For, lo, the ( g ) winter is past, the rain is over [and] gone; ( g ) That is, sin and error is driven back by the coming of Christ, who is here desc...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Sos 2:1-17 - --1 The mutual love of Christ and his church.8 The hope,10 and calling of the church.14 Christ's care of the church.16 The profession of the church, her...

MHCC: Sos 2:8-13 - --The church pleases herself with thoughts of further communion with Christ. None besides can speak to the heart. She sees him come. This may be applied...

Matthew Henry: Sos 2:8-13 - -- The church is here pleasing herself exceedingly with the thoughts of her further communion with Christ after she has recovered from her fainting fit...

Keil-Delitzsch: Sos 2:11-13 - -- 11 For, lo! the winter is past, The rain is over, is gone. 12 The flowers appear in the land; The time of song has come, And the voice of the tu...

Constable: Sos 1:2--3:6 - --II. THE COURTSHIP 1:2--3:5 Perhaps the outstanding characteristic of this first major section of the book is the...

Constable: Sos 2:8-17 - --2. Increased longing 2:8-17 Whereas the setting so far had been Israel, it now shifts to the Shulammite's home that was evidently in Lebanon (cf. 4:8,...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) The Song of Solomon, called in the Vulgate and Septuagint, "The Song of Songs," from the opening words. This title denotes its superior excellence, ac...

TSK: The Song of Songs 2 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Son 2:1, The mutual love of Christ and his church; Son 2:8, The hope, Son 2:10, and calling of the church; Son 2:14, Christ’s care of t...

Poole: The Song of Songs 2 (Chapter Introduction) OF SOLOMON CHAPTER 2 The excellency of the majesty of Christ, Son 2:1 , and of his church, Son 2:2 . The benefits which the church receives from hi...

MHCC: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) This book is a Divine allegory, which represents the love between Christ and his church of true believers, under figures taken from the relation and a...

MHCC: The Song of Songs 2 (Chapter Introduction) (Son 2:1-7) The mutual love of Christ and his church. (Son 2:8-13) The hope and calling of the church. (Son 2:14-17) Christ's care of the church, He...

Matthew Henry: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Song of Solomon All scripture, we are sure, is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable f...

Matthew Henry: The Song of Songs 2 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter, I. Christ speaks both concerning himself and concerning his church (Son 2:1, Son 2:2). II. The church speaks 1. Remembering the...

Constable: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) Introduction Title In the Hebrew Bible the title of this book is "The Song of Songs." ...

Constable: The Song of Songs (Outline) Outline I. The superscription 1:1 II. The courtship 1:2-3:5 A. The begin...

Constable: The Song of Songs Song of Solomon Bibliography Baxter, J. Sidlow. Explore the Book. 6 vols. London: Marshall, Morgan, and Scott, ...

Haydock: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) SOLOMON'S CANTICLE OF CANTICLES. INTRODUCTION. This book is called the Canticle of Canticles, that is to say, the most excellent of all cantic...

Gill: The Song of Songs (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE SONG OF SOLOMON This book is entitled, in the Hebrew copies, "Shir Hashirim", the Song of Songs. The Septuagint and Vulgate Lat...

Gill: The Song of Songs 2 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 2 Here begins a new colloquy between Christ and his church; in which they alternately set forth the excellencies of...

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