Song of Solomon 2:15
New International Version
Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.

New Living Translation
Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming! Young Woman

English Standard Version
Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.”

Berean Standard Bible
Catch for us the foxes—the little foxes that ruin the vineyards—for our vineyards are in bloom.

King James Bible
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

New King James Version
Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.

New American Standard Bible
“Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.”

NASB 1995
“Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.”

NASB 1977
“Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.”

Legacy Standard Bible
“Seize the foxes for us, The little foxes that are wreaking destruction on the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.”

Amplified Bible
“Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that spoil and ruin the vineyards [of love], While our vineyards are in blossom.”

Christian Standard Bible
Catch the foxes for us — the little foxes that ruin the vineyards — for our vineyards are in bloom. Woman

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Catch the foxes for us— the little foxes that ruin the vineyards— for our vineyards are in bloom. W

American Standard Version
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, That spoil the vineyards; For our vineyards are in blossom.

Contemporary English Version
Our vineyards are in blossom; we must catch the little foxes that destroy the vineyards.

English Revised Version
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that ruin vineyards. Our vineyards are blooming.

Good News Translation
Catch the foxes, the little foxes, before they ruin our vineyard in bloom.

International Standard Version
Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that destroy the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom."

Majority Standard Bible
Catch for us the foxes—the little foxes that ruin the vineyards—for our vineyards are in bloom.

NET Bible
Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyards--for our vineyard is in bloom.

New Heart English Bible
Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom.

Webster's Bible Translation
Take for us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

World English Bible
Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that plunder the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Seize for us foxes, "" Little foxes—destroyers of vineyards, "" Even our sweet-smelling vineyards.

Young's Literal Translation
Seize ye for us foxes, Little foxes -- destroyers of vineyards, Even our sweet-smelling vineyards.

Smith's Literal Translation
Seize for us the foxes, the little foxes destroying the vineyards: and our vineyards are in blossom.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Catch us the little foxes that destroy the vines: for our vineyard hath flourished.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Chorus to Groom and Bride: Capture for us the little foxes, which are tearing down the vines; for our vineyard has flourished.

New American Bible
Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that damage the vineyards; for our vineyards are in bloom!

New Revised Standard Version
Catch us the foxes, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyards— for our vineyards are in blossom.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Let us catch the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vines have tender shoots.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Catch for us foxes, small foxes ruining the vineyards and our vines of vine buds
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards; For our vineyards are in blossom.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Take us the little foxes that spoil the vines: for our vines put forth tender grapes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Bride's Admiration
14O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your countenance is lovely. 15Catch for us the foxes— the little foxes that ruin the vineyards— for our vineyards are in bloom. 16My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies.…

Cross References
John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ...

Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. / Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

Isaiah 5:1-7
I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...

Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. / But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. / When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. ...

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Proverbs 24:30-34
I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. / Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. / I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: ...

Luke 8:14
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.

Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.

Jeremiah 12:10-11
Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland. / They have made it a desolation; desolate before Me, it mourns. All the land is laid waste, but no man takes it to heart.

Ezekiel 13:4
Your prophets, O Israel, are like foxes among the ruins.

2 Corinthians 11:3
I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

the foxes

Psalm 80:13
The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.

Ezekiel 13:4-16
O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts…

Luke 13:32
And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

tender

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.

Song of Solomon 7:12
Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.

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Beloved Bloom Blossom Catch Damage Destroyers Foxes Grapes Little Ruin Ruining Seize Spoil Sweet-Smelling Tender Vines Vineyards Young
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Song of Solomon 2
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 faith, and hope














Catch for us the foxes
The phrase "Catch for us the foxes" suggests an active pursuit and removal of potential threats. In the Hebrew context, the word for "foxes" (שׁוּעָלִים, shu'alim) can refer to small, cunning animals that are known for their ability to sneak into vineyards and cause destruction. Historically, foxes were common in the ancient Near East and were often seen as nuisances to agriculture. Spiritually, this phrase can be interpreted as a call to address and remove small, seemingly insignificant issues or sins that can disrupt relationships, particularly the relationship between the beloved and the lover, which can be seen as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the Church.

the little foxes
The emphasis on "the little foxes" highlights the seemingly minor or trivial problems that can have a disproportionately large impact. In a spiritual sense, these "little foxes" can represent small temptations or sins that, if left unchecked, can grow and cause significant harm to one's spiritual life or relationships. The diminutive nature of these foxes serves as a reminder that even small issues need to be addressed promptly and decisively.

that ruin the vineyards
The phrase "that ruin the vineyards" speaks to the destructive potential of these small creatures. Vineyards in the ancient world were valuable and required careful maintenance and protection. The Hebrew word for "ruin" (חָבַל, chaval) implies destruction or spoilage. In a broader spiritual context, vineyards can symbolize the fruitfulness of a relationship or a community of believers. The warning here is clear: neglecting to deal with small problems can lead to the ruin of something precious and fruitful.

for our vineyards are in bloom
The concluding phrase "for our vineyards are in bloom" indicates a time of growth and potential. The blooming of vineyards suggests a season of beauty, productivity, and promise. In the context of a relationship, it can symbolize a time of love and flourishing. Spiritually, it can represent a period of spiritual growth and blessing. The urgency to catch the foxes is heightened by the fact that the vineyards are in a vulnerable yet promising state. This serves as a reminder to be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding what is valuable and growing, whether it be a personal relationship or one's spiritual life.

(15) Take us the foxes.--Possibly this is a verse of a familiar country song, introduced here from the suggestion of the "sweet voice" in the last verse; but more probably to be compared to the "avaunt" so commonly addressed by poets in Epithalamia and love songs to all mischievous and troublesome creatures. Thus in Spenser's Epithalamium, owls, storks, ravens, and frogs are warned off.

Foxes.--Comp. Judges 15:4. Whether our fox or the jackal (Heb., shual), it is known to be equally destructive to vineyards. Theocritus (Id. v. 112) is often compared:--

"I hate those brush-tailed foxes, that each night

Spoil Micon's vineyards with their deadly bite."

In the allegorising commentators they stand for heretics.

Verse 15. - Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom. There is some difficulty in deciding to which of the persons this speech is to be attributed. It is most naturally, however, assigned to the bride, and this is the view of the majority of critics. Hence she refers to the vineyards as "our vineyards," which the bridegroom could scarcely say. On the other hand, it must be acknowledged that the words are abrupt regarded as a response to the beautiful appeal of the lover. The following are the remarks of Delitzsch on the subject: "This is a vine dresser's ditty, in accord with Shulamith's experience as the keeper of a vineyard, which, in a figure, aims at her love relation. The vineyards, beautiful with fragrant blossoms, point to her covenant of love, and the foxes, the little foxes, which might destroy those united vineyards, point to all the great and little enemies and adverse circumstances which threaten to gnaw and destroy love in the blossom ere it has reached the ripeness of full enjoyment." Some think that Shulamith is giving the reason why she cannot immediately join her beloved, referring to the duties enjoined upon her by her brethren. But there is an awkwardness in this explanation. The simplest and most straightforward is that which connects the words immediately with the invitation of the lover to come forth into the lovely vineyards. Is it not an allusion to the playful pleasure which the young people would find among the vineyards in chasing the little foxes? and may not the lover take up some well known country ditty, and sing it outside the window as a playful repetition of the invitation to appear? The words do seem to be arranged in somewhat of a lyrical form -

"Catch us the foxes,
Foxes the little ones,
Wasting our vineyards,
When our vineyards are blossoming."
The foxes (shualim), or little jackals, were very numerous in Palestine (see Judges 15:4; Lamentations 5:18; Psalm 63:11; Nehemiah 4:3; 1 Samuel 13:17). The little jackals were seldom more than fifteen inches high. There would be nothing unsuitable in the address to a maiden to help to catch such small animals. The idea of the song is - Let us all join in taking them. Some think that Shulamith is inviting the king to call his attendants to the work. But when two lovers thus approach one another, it is not likely that others would be thought cf. However the words be viewed, the typical meaning can scarcely be missed. The idea of clearing the vineyards of depredators well suits the general import of the poem. Let the blossoming love of the soul be without injury and restraint. Let the rising faith and affection be carefully guarded. Both individuals and communities do well to think of the little foxes that spoil the vines.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Catch
אֶֽחֱזוּ־ (’e·ḥĕ·zū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession

for us
לָ֙נוּ֙ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

the foxes—
שֽׁוּעָלִ֔ים (šū·‘ā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7776: Fox, perhaps jackal

the little
קְטַנִּ֖ים (qə·ṭan·nîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant

foxes
שֽׁוּעָלִ֥ים (šū·‘ā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7776: Fox, perhaps jackal

that ruin
מְחַבְּלִ֣ים (mə·ḥab·bə·lîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2254: To wind tightly, to bind, a pledge, to pervert, destroy, to writhe in pain

the vineyards—
כְּרָמִ֑ים (kə·rā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard

for our vineyards
וּכְרָמֵ֖ינוּ (ū·ḵə·rā·mê·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard

are in bloom.
סְמָדַֽר׃ (sə·mā·ḏar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5563: A vine blossom, abloom


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