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.
Original Language Analysis
אֲהָבִ֗ים
Let her be as the loving
H158
אֲהָבִ֗ים
Let her be as the loving
Strong's:
H158
Word #:
2 of 11
affection (in a good or a bad sense)
חֵ֥ן
and pleasant
H2580
חֵ֥ן
and pleasant
Strong's:
H2580
Word #:
4 of 11
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
דַּ֭דֶּיהָ
let her breasts
H1717
דַּ֭דֶּיהָ
let her breasts
Strong's:
H1717
Word #:
5 of 11
the breast (as the seat of love, or from its shape)
יְרַוֻּ֣ךָ
satisfy
H7301
יְרַוֻּ֣ךָ
satisfy
Strong's:
H7301
Word #:
6 of 11
to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)
בְכָל
H3605
בְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֵ֑ת
thee at all times
H6256
עֵ֑ת
thee at all times
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
8 of 11
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
Cross References
Song of Solomon 2:9My 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 8:14Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.Song of Solomon 4:5Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.Song of Solomon 7:3Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.Proverbs 5:15Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.Song of Solomon 2:17Until 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.
Historical Context
Song of Solomon extensively develops this theme - marital sexuality as good gift to be enjoyed, not merely tolerated for procreation. Unlike Greek dualism that despised the physical or Gnostic asceticism that denied bodily pleasure, biblical faith affirms sexuality within marriage as divine gift. Hebrews 13:4 declares: 'Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse challenge both prudish and promiscuous views of sexuality?
- What does it mean to be 'ravished always' with your spouse - how is enduring delight cultivated?
- How can you ensure your marriage reflects God's design for mutual sexual satisfaction?
Analysis & Commentary
The wife should be as a loving deer and pleasant doe; be ravished always with her love. The Hebrew 'ahabiym' (loves/beloved) and 'cheshek' (desire/delight) describe affectionate attraction. 'Ravished' ('shagah') means intoxicated or captivated. Marital sexuality should be mutually satisfying and enduringly delightful. The deer/doe imagery suggests grace, beauty, gentleness. This verse celebrates married sexual joy as God's design.