Lexical Summary sethav: Winter Original Word: סְתָו Strong's Exhaustive Concordance winter From an unused root meaning to hide; winter (as the dark season) -- winter. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition winter NASB Translation winter (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סתו Kt, סְתָיו Qr noun masculine winter (loan-word from Aramaic; compare Syriac  , ᵑ7 סִיתְוָא; Arabic  Lane1504; probably originally ׳שׂ, compare SchwIdioticon 64; on ו as old nominative ending (׳ס for šutayu) compare LagBN 190 Anm.); — הַסְּתָ֯ו עָבָ֑ר Songs 2:11. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence סְתָו appears once in Scripture: “For now the winter is past; the rain is over and gone” (Song of Songs 2:11). In this lyrical announcement the arrival of spring signals the end of a dormant, rain-soaked interval and ushers in burgeoning life, blossom, and courtship. Seasonal Context in Ancient Israel The land experiences two primary seasons: a cool, wet period (roughly October–April) and a hot, dry summer (May–September). סְתָו corresponds to the close of the former, when heavy rains cease and the countryside awakens. Vineyards begin to sprout tender grapes, fig trees set fruit, and migratory songbirds return (Song of Songs 2:12-13). For farmers, it is a moment of relief after the hazards of flooding and chill; for shepherds, fresh pasture supplies new vigor to flocks. The verse therefore carries the cultural resonance of relief, expectancy, and imminent harvest preparation. Imagery in Song of Songs Within the Song’s love poetry, the end of סְתָו dramatizes the beloved’s invitation to intimate fellowship. The bridegroom’s call—“Arise, my darling, come away with me” (Song of Songs 2:10)—rests on the certainty that the bleak season has irrevocably passed. The external transformation of nature mirrors the internal experience of renewed affection and covenant faithfulness. Husbands and wives find a paradigm for celebrating new beginnings in marriage, while readers through the centuries have recognized a typological echo of the Messiah summoning His people out of spiritual dormancy into fruitful communion. Theological Reflections 1. Faithfulness across seasons: Job 37:6, Psalm 74:17, and Jeremiah 8:20 affirm that winter and summer are under the sovereign ordination of the LORD. By naming the end of סְתָו, Scripture underscores God’s control over both trial and relief. Related Scriptural Themes • Seasons ordered by God: Genesis 8:22; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Application for Ministry and Discipleship • Counseling: When believers feel trapped in spiritual winter, Song of Songs 2:11 provides concrete assurance that God appoints an end to every season of adversity. Liturgical and Devotional Use Ancient Jewish tradition read the Song at Passover, aligning the end of סְתָו with deliverance from Egypt. Christian hymnody and devotionals similarly draw on the verse for Easter and personal renewal, inviting worshipers to hear the Bridegroom’s voice today: “Rise up… the winter is past.” Forms and Transliterations הַסְּתָ֖יו הסתיו has·sə·ṯāw hasseTav hassəṯāwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Songs 2:11 HEB: [הַסְּתָו כ] (הַסְּתָ֖יו ק) עָבָ֑ר NAS: For behold, the winter is past, KJV: For, lo, the winter is past, the rain INT: For behold winter is past the rain 1 Occurrence |
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