### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **yaʻălâh**, represented by `{{H3280}}`, refers to a **roe** or an ibex. It is defined as the feminine of יָעֵל, an animal known for climbing. This word appears only **1 time** in the Bible, in a single verse, yet it serves as a powerful symbol of grace and delight.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H3280}}` is in [[Proverbs 5:19]], where a wife is described metaphorically: "Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant **roe**." In this passage, the word is used to paint a picture of a cherished wife, associating her with the beauty and grace of a gentle creature. It is immediately preceded by "pleasant" `{{H2580}}`, emphasizing the delight and favor she embodies. The verse encourages a husband to be satisfied and enraptured with his wife's love, framing the marital relationship as a source of constant joy.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words in its immediate context enrich the meaning of `{{H3280}}`:
* `{{H365}}` **'ayeleth** (hind): Defined as a doe, this word is paired directly with **roe** to create a composite image of feminine grace and beauty [[Proverbs 5:19]]. It also appears in titles, such as in [[Psalms 22:1]].
* `{{H2580}}` **chên** (pleasant): This describes the **roe** and means graciousness, favor, or beauty. It can refer to objective beauty or subjective kindness. While it is used for a wife in Proverbs, it is also used for the divine favor God gives [[Psalms 84:11]] and the "spirit of grace" [[Zechariah 12:10]].
* `{{H160}}` **'ahăbâh** (love): This is the ultimate subject with which the husband should be "ravished." This word denotes deep affection and is used to describe both God's covenant love for His people [[Deuteronomy 7:8]] and the powerful bond between a man and a woman [[Song of Solomon 8:6]].
* `{{H7686}}` **shâgâh** (be thou ravished): A key verb in the passage, it means to be enraptured. Interestingly, this same root can also mean to stray, err, or be deceived, especially by wine [[Isaiah 28:7]]. In [[Proverbs 5:19]], it is used positively to describe an intoxicating delight in one's spouse.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H3280}}` is derived entirely from its symbolic use within marriage.
* **A Symbol of Marital Grace:** The "pleasant roe" is an emblem of the beauty and favor found within a godly marriage. It elevates the wife beyond a mere partner to a figure of delight, reflecting the "grace" `{{H2580}}` that can also be a gift from God [[Zechariah 12:10]].
* **The Object of Righteous Intoxication:** The call to be "ravished" `{{H7686}}` with her "love" `{{H160}}` stands in stark contrast to the warnings against erring through wine or straying from commandments found elsewhere ([[Proverbs 20:1]], [[Psalms 119:21]]). It sanctifies a deep, enraptured love within marriage as a righteous and holy pursuit.
* **An Endorsement of Faithful Satisfaction:** By presenting the wife as a "pleasant roe" whose breasts "satisfy" `{{H7301}}`, the text provides a powerful motivation for marital fidelity. The satisfaction found with her is intended to guard against the temptation to go astray.
### Summary
In summary, while `{{H3280}}` **yaʻălâh** is one of the rarest words in the Old Testament, its single use in [[Proverbs 5:19]] is profoundly impactful. It functions as a beautiful and tender metaphor for a cherished wife. As the "pleasant roe," she is depicted as the embodiment of grace, beauty, and a love so deep that it is meant to satisfy and enrapture, securing the covenant of marriage as a source of lifelong joy.
TRV