King James Version

What Does Proverbs 5:19 Mean?

Proverbs 5:19 in the King James Version says “Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always w...” — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. satisfy: Heb. water thee be thou: Heb. err thou always in her love”

Proverbs 5:19 · KJV

Love

Context

17

Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.

18

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

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. satisfy: Heb. water thee be thou: Heb. err thou always in her love

20

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

21

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse challenge both prudish and promiscuous views of sexuality?
  2. What does it mean to be 'ravished always' with your spouse - how is enduring delight cultivated?
  3. How can you ensure your marriage reflects God's design for mutual sexual satisfaction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
אַיֶּ֥לֶת1 of 11

“hind”

H365

a doe

אֲהָבִ֗ים2 of 11

“Let her be as the loving”

H158

affection (in a good or a bad sense)

וְֽיַעֲלַ֫ת3 of 11

“roe”

H3280

an ibex (as climbing)

חֵ֥ן4 of 11

“and pleasant”

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

דַּ֭דֶּיהָ5 of 11

“let her breasts”

H1717

the breast (as the seat of love, or from its shape)

יְרַוֻּ֣ךָ6 of 11

“satisfy”

H7301

to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)

בְכָל7 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֵ֑ת8 of 11

“thee at all times”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

בְּ֝אַהֲבָתָ֗הּ9 of 11

“with her love”

H160

love

תִּשְׁגֶּ֥ה10 of 11

“and be thou ravished”

H7686

to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication

תָמִֽיד׃11 of 11

“always”

H8548

properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Proverbs. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Proverbs 5:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Proverbs 5:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 7:3Song of Solomon 4:5Song of Solomon 8:14Song of Solomon 2:9Proverbs 5:15Song of Solomon 2:17

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