2:12a–13c

In verses 12a–13c the man described how beautiful the countryside is in the springtime. He wanted the woman to imagine the sights (2:12a, 13a–b), sounds (2:12b–c), and smells (2:13c) of spring. He implied that it is a wonderful time for the woman to come and enjoy spring with him.

2:12a

The flowers have appeared in the countryside: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have appeared is more literally “have been seen.” It indicates that people can see flowers sprouting and blooming in the springtime. Wildflowers are common in Palestine during that time.

Some other ways to translate The flowers have appeared in the countryside are:

Flowers/Blooms are covering the earth.
-or-
Flowers bloom throughout the land.

In some languages there may be an idiom to describe this season when many flowers start to bloom. For example:

wildflowers spring up in the fields.

flowers: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as flowers can refer to any blossom. It includes blooms on flowering trees, bushes, and vines.

2:12b–c

In some languages it may be more natural to combine 2:12b and 2:12c. See the General Comment on 2:12b–c at the end of 2:12c for an example.

2:12b

the season of singing has come: There are three ways to interpret the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as singing here:

(1) It means “singing.” For example:

the season of singing has come (New International Version)

(2) It means “pruning” (of grapevines). Some ancient versions (Greek and Latin) follow this interpretation. For example:

the time has arrived for pruning the vines (New American Standard Bible)

(3) It means both singing and pruning. This demonstrates special artistic skill on the part of the poet. Several scholars follow this view. For example:

the time for pruning and singing has come (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). This has the best support from English versions. It also seems to fit the context best. It parallels 2:12c “the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land.” There are also several other reasons for following this option.

singing: Here singing probably refers to the singing of birds, since the following line refers to the voice of the “turtledove” (a kind of bird). However, the context may also imply that spring is a joyful time and therefore a time for human singing.

Some other ways to translate “the season of singing has come” are:

This is the time for singing (Good News Translation)
-or-
The time has come to sing

2:12c

and the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land: This clause is passive. In some languages it may be more natural to translate it using an active clause. For example:

⌊ You⌋can hear turtledoves cooing in our land.
-or-

⌊ People⌋hear the song of the turtledove throughout our land.

turtledoves: The “turtledove” is a small songbird of the pigeon family. During the cold winters of Palestine, it migrates to a warmer climate. But each springtime it returns in the month of April. People thought of the sound of the turtledoves as a sign that springtime had come.