Song of Solomon 2:15

In answer to her lover's request that she should let him hear her voice the bride sings a fragment of a vineyard-watcher's song. Probably, as Oettli suggests, he had heard her sing it before, and would recognise her by it, for she had not as yet revealed herself to him. He had been watching for her at the windows, and peering in at the lattices, and now she assures him of her presence. The word shû-âldenotes an animal which digs into and dwells in the earth, for it means -the burrower," and is derived from the root which gives us also shô-al, the hollow of the hand. It is the common fox here probably, though jackals are also called by this name, e.g. Psalms 63:10, where those slain by the sword are said to be a portion for shû-âlîm.

that spoil the vines Rather, the vineyards. This includes the vines, for though foxes are carnivorous animals in the main, they also devour plants, so that besides digging their holes in the vineyards, and making tracks among the vines and gaps in the fences, they actually bite the young shoots of the vines and eat the grapes. (Cp. Theocritus, Id. v. 112, where vines are said to be spoiled by their deadly bite.) In vine-growing countries, as for instance in Australia, foxes when killed have been found with nothing in their stomachs but grapes. Perhaps there may be a side reference here to the Shulammite's danger in the royal hareem. She speaks of her person as her vineyard, and there may be here a call to her lover to deliver her from those who wish to profane it.

for our vineshave tender grapes for our vineyards are in blossom. Heb. semâdhâr(cp. Song of Solomon 2:13). The use by the bride of this peculiar word which her lover has just used may be meant to inform him that she has heard all he has just said.