Song of Solomon 2:11

What does Song of Solomon 2:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 2:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Song of Solomon 2:11 means

He begins to give reasons: winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The harsh, unfruitful season has ended, and with it the impediments to travel and growth. The language signals that the time of waiting and sheltering is finished. In love, there are seasons—periods when progress is wise to pause, and times when it is right to advance. Here, the beloved discerns the change and urges a response. The image is not only meteorological; it suggests an opening for fresh beginnings. The removal of rain and cold creates space for joy and movement together.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For, lo, the winter is past; The rain is over and gone;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For, lo, the winter is past; The rain is over and gone;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For, see, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For lo, the winter hath passed by, The rain hath passed away--it hath gone.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For winter is now past, the rain is over and gone.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For behold, the winter is past, The rain is over, it is gone:

Context

This verse stands as the first in a three-verse catalogue (vv. 11–13) that justifies the invitation of verse 10. Having shown respectful restraint earlier, the beloved now names providential signs that the moment is ripe. Verse 12 will describe the earth responding—flowers, birds, and the turtle-dove’s voice—while verse 13 adds figs and fragrant vines. Together they make the call to “arise” feel natural and fitting, which will be repeated at the end of verse 13, reinforcing the summons.

v.10My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

v.11This passage

v.12The flowers appear on the earth; The time of the singing of birds is come, And the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Ecclesiastes 3:4
a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Isaiah 54:6
For Jehovah hath called thee as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off, saith thy God.
Ephesians 5:8
for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Isaiah 40:2
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she hath received of Jehovah’s hand double for all her sins.

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