פַּגָּה (pa.gah)
pa.gah
early fig
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pagah refers to an early or green fig, specifically one that appears before the main harvest. In the ancient Near East, these small fruits ripened in the spring, offering a sweet taste while the rest of the crop was still developing. This timing makes them a symbol of new life and the arrival of warmer seasons.
The word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Song of Solomon 2:13. There, the speaker notes that the fig tree forms its early fruit as the vines blossom. The image captures a moment of gentle renewal, where nature signals that winter has passed and beauty is returning to the land.
Translators typically render pagah as "early fig" or "green fig." This distinction matters because it highlights the specific stage of growth. The fruit is present but not yet fully mature, mirroring the delicate and budding nature of love described in the poem. It points to a time of promise rather than full consumption.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pagah describes an early fig, a small fruit that ripens before the main harvest. It appears only once in Scripture, in Song of Solomon 2:13. This brief mention captures a specific moment in nature when winter has passed and new life begins to show itself.
In our own lives, we often experience seasons where things are not yet fully mature. Like the early fig, there is promise without full consumption. These times of budding growth can feel delicate and uncertain, yet they hold genuine beauty. The text invites us to notice these small signs of renewal rather than rushing toward the final result.
When you find yourself in a period of waiting or transition, remember that this stage has its own value. It is not merely a delay but part of the natural rhythm of growth. Let this image encourage you to appreciate the gentle unfolding of your own story, trusting that the season of full harvest will come in its proper time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- early figs/ its1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פַגֶּ֔י/הָ1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 2:13
The fig tree ripens her green figs. The vines are in blossom. They give out their fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.”
This verse uses the word to signal the end of winter and the beginning of visible renewal, linking the fruit's appearance to the call for love to arise.