Proverbs 5:19

[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.

Let her be as the loving {H158} hind {H365} and pleasant {H2580} roe {H3280}; let her breasts {H1717} satisfy {H7301} thee at all times {H6256}; and be thou ravished {H7686} always {H8548} with her love {H160}.

a lovely deer, a graceful fawn; let her breasts satisfy you at all times, always be infatuated with her love.

A loving doe, a graceful fawn— may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever.

Asa loving hind and a pleasant doe, Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; And be thou ravished always with her love.

Commentary

Proverbs 5:19 is a powerful and poetic affirmation of marital intimacy and fidelity, delivered as part of a father's wisdom instruction to his son. Following severe warnings against the destructive path of sexual immorality, this verse pivots to present the blessed alternative: finding complete satisfaction and delight within the covenant of marriage.

Context

This verse is situated within a lengthy discourse (Proverbs 5:1-23) that serves as a stark warning against the "strange woman" or adulteress. The preceding verses vividly describe the allure, deceit, and ultimately bitter consequences of illicit relationships. The father implores his son to heed his words of wisdom, which are designed to protect him from the snares of temptation. Proverbs 5:19-20 then offer the positive counter-command, urging the son to direct all his desire and affection towards his own wife, thereby avoiding the path of destruction.

Key Themes

  • Marital Fidelity and Joy: The verse strongly advocates for exclusive devotion within marriage. It calls for a deep and unwavering commitment to one's spouse, portraying marriage as a source of profound joy and satisfaction.
  • Wholesome Intimacy: It openly affirms the importance of both physical and emotional intimacy within the marital bond. "Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times" speaks to the physical aspect, while "be thou ravished always with her love" encompasses a passionate, emotional, and captivating affection. This demonstrates God's design for comprehensive satisfaction in marriage.
  • Protection from Immorality: By emphasizing the sufficiency and delight found in one's own wife, the verse implicitly offers a powerful antidote to the temptation of adultery. When a husband finds complete satisfaction and pleasure in his spouse, he is less likely to be drawn away by illicit desires, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 7:2.
  • Wisdom's Counsel for Life: This passage exemplifies the practical wisdom of Proverbs, guiding individuals toward a life of purity, integrity, and lasting happiness, contrasting it with the sorrow and ruin that accompany sin, as described in Proverbs 6:32-33.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrases "loving hind" (Hebrew: 'ayyalah) and "pleasant roe" (Hebrew: ya'alah) are ancient Near Eastern poetic metaphors for grace, beauty, and tender affection. These animals are known for their elegance, agility, and gentleness, suggesting a wife who is charming, delightful, and a source of constant pleasure.
  • The word "ravished" (Hebrew: shagah) can mean to reel, stray, or be intoxicated. In this context, it signifies being utterly captivated, deeply delighted, or continually enthralled by her love, suggesting an ongoing, passionate allure that prevents the heart from wandering.

Practical Application

Proverbs 5:19 offers timeless wisdom for cultivating a thriving and fulfilling marriage today:

  • Prioritize Your Spouse: Husbands are encouraged to actively cherish, delight in, and find their satisfaction in their wives. This involves cultivating both physical and emotional intimacy, ensuring the marriage remains vibrant and fulfilling.
  • Guard Your Heart and Eyes: The verse implicitly teaches that a strong, satisfying marital relationship is the best defense against external temptations. By focusing attention and affection on one's spouse, individuals can avoid the destructive path of immorality, as also encouraged in Hebrews 13:4.
  • Embrace God's Design for Intimacy: It affirms that physical and emotional intimacy within marriage is a blessed and God-ordained aspect of the relationship, intended for mutual pleasure, bonding, and the strengthening of the marital covenant.
  • Continual Delight: The call to "be thou ravished always" suggests that marital love is not a static state but an ongoing pursuit, requiring continuous effort, appreciation, and cultivation to maintain its passion and joy.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Song Of Solomon 7:3 (8 votes)

    Thy two breasts [are] like two young roes [that are] twins.

  • Song Of Solomon 4:5 (7 votes)

    Thy two breasts [are] like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

  • Song Of Solomon 2:9 (7 votes)

    My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.

  • Song Of Solomon 8:14 (7 votes)

    Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

  • Song Of Solomon 2:17 (5 votes)

    Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

  • Proverbs 5:15 (5 votes)

    ¶ Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.

  • 2 Samuel 12:4 (0 votes)

    And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.