Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
What does Song of Solomon 2:15 mean?
The church is Christ's dove; she returns to him, as her Noah. Christ is the Rock, in whom alone she can think herself safe, and find herself easy, as a dove in the hole of a rock, when struck at by the birds of prey.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Song of Solomon 2:14-15 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Song of Solomon 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 Sol 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 Ezekiel 13:4 ).
Context in Song of Solomon 2
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Song of Solomon 2 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as mutual delight and invitation. Song of Solomon is the Bible’s great lyric of love, desire, beauty, absence, seeking, delight, and union. Read this chapter with the wider themes of love, desire, and beauty in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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A guided collection of passages on God’s love, neighbor-love, steadfast covenant love, and the shape of love in Christian life.
Who quoted Song of Solomon 2:15?
Find out who used Song of Solomon 2:15 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Song of Solomon 2:15?
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «little foxes»):
Aaron Weiss · Bette Davis · Cynicism · Foxes · Harriet Beecher Stowe · Lillian Hellman · List of films (J–L) · Pauline Kael · Regret · Song of Solomon · Swedish proverbs · Tallulah Bankhead · The Little Foxes (film)