Translations
Modern
The flowers have appeared in the countryside; the season of singing has come, and the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land.
Traditional
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
Literal
The blossoms have appeared in the land, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land;
Latin
Flores apparuerunt in terra nostra; tempus putationis advenit: vox turturis audita est in terra nostra;
Original
Hebrew
English
The flowers have appeared in the countryside; the season of singing has come, and the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land.
Notes
In the Middle East, winter is the rainy season with clouds, gloom, and cold. After winter, when the rains end, the lively sights, sounds, and smells of spring boost romantic feelings.
In this poem, the woman looks forward to her lover's arrival. She describes winter ending and spring beginning, a time of floral scents and new starts. She and her lover are in their country garden, a place of closeness, though there is a hint of danger even here (Song of Solomon 2:15).
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Topics
Birds: Clean: Turtle Birds: Have Each Their Peculiar Note or Song Birds: Songs of, at the Break of Day Flower of Sharon Flowers: Appear in Spring Spring: Season of, Promised Annual Return of Described The Dove: The Harbinger of Spring