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;

SONG OF SOLOMON 2:12KJV
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Song of Solomon 2:12 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 2:12 mean?

Song of Solomon 2:12 describes the arrival of spring as a welcome change in the countryside. Flowers and bird sounds show that the cold, rainy season is past and that the land is alive again. The description forms part of a lover’s invitation to his beloved to come away with him.

The woman recalls her beloved speaking to her after describing winter’s departure in verse 11. His words appeal to both sight and hearing, drawing her attention to what is happening around them.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 2:12

  • “singing” — זָמִיר (zamir): This word can refer to singing, as in the KJV, or to pruning plants. The KJV understands the phrase as a sound of the season, fitting the bird call that follows.
  • “turtle” — תּוֹר (tor): This means a turtledove, a kind of bird. In the KJV, “turtle” is a shortened name for that bird, not the shelled animal.

Why Song of Solomon 2:12 matters

  • The season gives a reason for the invitation. The beloved says “the winter is past” in verse 11, then points to the changes outdoors before repeating “come away” in verse 13.
  • The lovers’ setting is shared and familiar. The call is heard “in our land,” placing the signs of spring in the countryside they know rather than in a distant place.

Where else these words appear

“singing” Hebrew H2158 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Samuel 23:1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
  • Job 35:10 But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;
  • Psalms 119:54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

“turtle” Hebrew H8449 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Leviticus 12:6 And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:
  • Leviticus 15:14 And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest:

“come” Hebrew H5060 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
  • Numbers 19:18 And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:
  • Psalms 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.