King James Version

What Does Proverbs 7:18 Mean?

Proverbs 7:18 in the King James Version says “Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

Proverbs 7:18 · KJV


Context

16

I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

17

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18

Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

19

For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

20

He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. with: Heb. in his hand the day: or, the new moon


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Come, let's drink deeply of love until morning; let's delight in love. The Hebrew 'ravah' (drink deeply/saturate) and 'alaz' (rejoice/delight) describe indulgent pleasure. The invitation is to unbounded sensual enjoyment. 'Until morning' indicates extended encounter. Seduction promises pleasure without consequences, intensity without commitment. It offers what marriage legitimately provides but divorces pleasure from covenant context.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Song of Solomon celebrates legitimate marital sexual pleasure using similar language - drinking, delighting, enjoying. The difference is covenant context. What's beautiful within marriage becomes destructive outside it. Seduction steals marital blessings while rejecting marital commitments. It's theft of God's good gifts by removing them from His designed context.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does removing God's gifts from His designed contexts pervert good into evil?
  2. What pleasures are you pursuing outside the covenant contexts God designed for them?
  3. How can you celebrate legitimate pleasures within God's boundaries while resisting illegitimate imitations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
לְכָ֤ה1 of 7
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

נִרְוֶ֣ה2 of 7

let us take our fill

H7301

to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)

דֹ֭דִים3 of 7

of love

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

עַד4 of 7
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַבֹּ֑קֶר5 of 7

until the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

נִ֝תְעַלְּסָ֗ה6 of 7

let us solace

H5965

to leap for joy, i.e., exult, wave joyously

בָּאֳהָבִֽים׃7 of 7

ourselves with loves

H159

affection (in a good or a bad sense)


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 7:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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