Proverbs 5:19 kjv
Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
Proverbs 5:19 nkjv
As a loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love.
Proverbs 5:19 niv
A loving doe, a graceful deer? may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
Proverbs 5:19 esv
a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.
Proverbs 5:19 nlt
She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts satisfy you always.
May you always be captivated by her love.
Proverbs 5 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 2:24 | Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife... | Marriage as a lifelong, exclusive union. |
| Eccl 9:9 | Live joyfully with the wife whom you love... | Joy and love within marriage. |
| Prov 5:15 | Drink waters from your own cistern, and running waters from your own well. | Fidelity within one's own marriage. |
| Prov 6:26 | For on account of a harlot one is reduced to a loaf of bread, and an adulteress... | Warning against immorality and its cost. |
| Prov 7:5 | To preserve you from the evil woman... | Protection from the adulteress. |
| Song 1:15 | Behold, you are beautiful, my love... | Affection and beauty praised in marital context. |
| Song 2:16 | My beloved is mine, and I am his... | Exclusive devotion in love. |
| Song 4:7 | You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. | Adoration and affirmation of spouse's beauty. |
| Song 4:12 | A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. | Exclusivity and purity of marital intimacy. |
| Song 5:1 | I have come to my garden, my sister, my bride... | Fulfillment of marital intimacy. |
| Mal 2:15 | Did he not make them one... And why one? Because he sought godly offspring. | God's design for unity in marriage. |
| Heb 13:4 | Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled.. | Marriage honor and purity. |
| 1 Cor 7:2 | But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife... | Marriage as a means to avoid immorality. |
| 1 Cor 7:3 | The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights... | Marital intimacy as a duty and right. |
| Eph 5:28 | In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies... | Husbands' love for their wives. |
| Eph 5:33 | However, let each one of you love his wife as himself... | Mutual love and respect in marriage. |
| Gen 29:20 | So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. | Deep, enduring love for a spouse. |
| 1 Thess 4:3-5 | For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality... | God's will for sexual purity. |
| Prov 2:16-19 | So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman... | Consequences of immoral relationships. |
| Prov 18:22 | He who finds a wife finds a good thing... | The goodness and blessing of finding a spouse. |
| Prov 31:10 | An excellent wife, who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. | The immense value of a virtuous wife. |
Proverbs 5 verses
Proverbs 5 19 Meaning
Proverbs 5:19 counsels a man to find profound satisfaction and unwavering delight in his wife alone. It metaphorically describes her as graceful and endearing, urging that marital intimacy and affection be a continuous source of joy and complete contentment, serving as a powerful safeguard against the lure of external, illicit relationships. The verse advocates for a passionate, exclusive, and lasting devotion within the sacred bounds of marriage.
Proverbs 5 19 Context
Proverbs chapter 5 is part of the father's extended wisdom instruction to his son, focusing specifically on the dangers of succumbing to sexual temptation from a "forbidden woman" (vv. 3-14). It vividly describes the deceptive allure, devastating consequences, and ultimate regret that follow immorality. Verse 19, alongside verse 18 ("Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth"), stands as a crucial pivot and counter-admonition. Instead of pursuing fleeting, destructive pleasures, the son is urged to find enduring satisfaction and blessedness within the boundaries of his own marriage. Historically, this wisdom served to reinforce the integrity of the family unit, the primary structure of Israelite society, and uphold the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God, directly challenging the promiscuity and cultic prostitution prevalent in surrounding pagan cultures.
Proverbs 5 19 Word analysis
- Let her be as: (תְּהִי - təhi) An imperative or jussive, expressing a strong desire or command for how things should be. It implies active recognition and cultivation of these qualities by the husband.
- the loving hind: (אַיֶּלֶת אֲהָבִֽים - ’ayyeleth ’ahavim). Literally, "doe of loves."
- אַיֶּלֶת (’ayyeleth): Hind, doe. A female deer, known for its grace, swiftness, elegance, and beauty. Symbolizes natural charm and appeal.
- אֲהָבִֽים (’ahavim): Plural of ‘ahabah (love). Suggests intense or multi-faceted love/loves, perhaps indicating that she embodies affection or is worthy of deep affection.
- and pleasant doe: (וְיַעֲלַת חֵ֥ן - wəya‘alat ḥen). Literally, "and gazelle of grace."
- יַעֲלַת (ya‘alat): From ya‘alah, meaning wild goat or ibex (a type of mountain goat). These animals are also known for their agility, striking beauty, and elegance, often navigating difficult terrain with ease.
- חֵ֥ן (ḥen): Grace, favor, charm, beauty. Signifies an inherent attractiveness, an winsome quality.
- let her breasts: (דַּדֶּיהָ - dadeiha). Explicitly refers to the female breasts, directly linking to the physical and sexual intimacy within marriage.
- satisfy thee: (יְרַוֻּךָ - yərawukha). From the verb rawa‘ (to be satisfied, satiated, to drink one's fill, be refreshed). It implies a complete and profound fulfillment, quenching of thirst, suggesting both physical pleasure and deep contentment. This satisfaction is intended to be exhaustive, leaving no room for desire outside the marriage.
- at all times: (בְכָל עֵת - bəḵol ‘et). Literally, "in all time" or "always." Emphasizes the continuous, perpetual, and unending nature of this satisfaction. It is not a momentary pleasure but an enduring state of delight and fulfillment intended to persist throughout life.
- and be thou ravished: (תִּשְׁגֶּה - tishgeh). From the verb shāgâ (to go astray, to reel, to be intoxicated). Here, used in a positive sense, it conveys being utterly absorbed, delighted, enthralled, or captivated. It implies an overwhelming, almost intoxicated passion that completely engrosses the man in his wife's affection. This strong word choice underscores a deep, overwhelming emotional and physical captivation.
- always: (תָּמִיד - tamid). Another word for "continually" or "perpetually," reinforcing the "at all times" for absolute consistency in this captivation.
- with her love: (בְּאַהֲבָתָהּ - bə’ahabatah). Refers to her affection, devotion, and desirability. This transcends mere physical attraction, emphasizing the deeper emotional and relational bond. It is the very essence of her being and her expressed affection that is to captivate him completely.
Proverbs 5 19 Bonus section
The strong, explicit imagery in Proverbs 5:19 ("her breasts satisfy thee," "ravished always with her love") reflects a raw and honest portrayal of marital sexuality in the ancient Near East, which often saw fertility and marital intimacy as blessings from God. This verse stands in stark contrast to pagan fertility cults by confining this powerful sexual expression within the monogamous covenant, demonstrating that the truest and most fulfilling sexual joy is found solely within God's divinely established marital bond, thus promoting faithfulness by emphasizing positive internal desire rather than external legalistic restraint alone. It highlights that marital intimacy is intended for comprehensive and consistent fulfillment, designed by God to draw and bind the husband's heart exclusively to his wife, shielding him from the destructive path of immorality described earlier in the chapter.
Proverbs 5 19 Commentary
Proverbs 5:19 serves as the positive instruction following severe warnings against sexual infidelity. It offers God's prescription for true marital joy and fidelity, illustrating how finding delight in one's wife can prevent deviation. The verse beautifully portrays the wife as a creature of grace and endearing love ("loving hind and pleasant doe"), whose innate beauty and affection should continually captivate her husband. The explicit mention of "her breasts satisfy thee" acknowledges and blesses the physical dimension of marriage, portraying it as a source of deep, ongoing contentment that is meant to entirely fulfill the husband's desires. The command to be "ravished always with her love" elevates the message beyond mere physical gratification to a passionate, intellectual, and emotional enthrallment. It is a call for a continuous, active pursuit of one's spouse, maintaining a state of joyous preoccupation with her, rather than passively accepting marital intimacy. This verse provides the internal spiritual and emotional strength needed to resist temptation, framing fidelity not as a burdensome duty, but as a rich source of divine blessing and profound happiness.