A loving doe, a graceful fawn—In ancient Near Eastern culture, the imagery of a doe or fawn symbolizes beauty, gentleness, and grace. These animals were often associated with love and affection due to their delicate nature. The use of such imagery in this context highlights the ideal of marital love being tender and cherished. The Song of Solomon also uses similar imagery to describe romantic love (
Song of Solomon 2:9, 2:17), emphasizing the beauty and desirability of the beloved. This phrase encourages the appreciation of one's spouse, reflecting the biblical principle of valuing and honoring one's partner.
may her breasts satisfy you always;
This phrase underscores the importance of physical intimacy within marriage. In the biblical context, sexual relations are seen as a gift from God, meant to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage. The satisfaction mentioned here is not merely physical but also emotional and spiritual, fostering a deep bond between husband and wife. This aligns with the teaching in1 Corinthians 7:3-5, where Paul advises married couples to fulfill each other's needs, highlighting mutual satisfaction and commitment.
may you be captivated by her love forever.
The concept of being captivated by love suggests a deep, ongoing attraction and commitment. This is not a fleeting infatuation but a lifelong dedication to one's spouse. The use of the word "forever" indicates the enduring nature of marital love, which is meant to reflect God's everlasting love for His people.Ephesians 5:25-33 draws a parallel between the love of a husband for his wife and Christ's love for the church, emphasizing sacrificial and unwavering devotion. This phrase encourages couples to continually nurture their relationship, ensuring that love remains vibrant and strong throughout their lives.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and guidance, particularly to young men.
2.
The WifeIn this verse, the wife is metaphorically described as a "loving doe" and a "graceful fawn," symbolizing beauty, grace, and affection within the marital relationship.
3.
MarriageThe context of this verse is the sanctity and joy of the marital relationship, emphasizing fidelity and delight in one's spouse.
Teaching Points
The Beauty of Marital LoveMarriage is a divine institution designed for mutual satisfaction and joy.
Proverbs 5:19 encourages spouses to find delight and fulfillment in each other, celebrating the beauty of marital love.
Fidelity and CommitmentThe verse underscores the importance of being captivated by one's spouse, promoting fidelity and a lifelong commitment to nurturing the marital relationship.
The Role of Physical IntimacyPhysical intimacy is a vital component of marriage, intended to strengthen the bond between husband and wife. This verse highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy and affectionate physical relationship.
The Power of Love and AttractionLove and attraction are powerful forces that can sustain a marriage.
Proverbs 5:19 encourages spouses to continually cultivate these aspects, ensuring a vibrant and enduring relationship.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 5:19?
2.How can Proverbs 5:19 guide us in cherishing our marital relationships today?
3.What does Proverbs 5:19 teach about the importance of marital faithfulness?
4.How does Proverbs 5:19 connect with Ephesians 5:25 on loving your spouse?
5.In what ways can Proverbs 5:19 be applied to strengthen emotional intimacy?
6.How can we practically "be captivated always" by our spouse, as Proverbs 5:19 suggests?
7.How does Proverbs 5:19 reflect the biblical view of marital love and fidelity?
8.What cultural context influenced the writing of Proverbs 5:19?
9.How should Proverbs 5:19 be interpreted in modern Christian marriages?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 5?
11.Proverbs 5:19: Does likening a wife to a “loving doe” and “graceful deer” suggest objectification, conflicting with broader biblical claims of respect for all?
12.Proverbs 5:8: Why does the passage focus blame on the 'immoral woman' without addressing mutual responsibility, and does this align with modern views on equality?
13.Deuteronomy 19:21: Does the 'eye for eye' principle contradict New Testament teachings such as turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-39)?
14.Proverbs 23:9 says not to speak to a fool; does this conflict with the New Testament's call to share truth with everyone?What Does Proverbs 5:19 Mean
A loving doe- The comparison to “a loving doe” highlights tenderness and steady affection within marriage. The imagery reminds us that marital love is designed to be gentle yet strong, reflecting the Creator’s intent from the beginning (Genesis 2:24).
- As in Songs 2:9, the husband views his bride with delight; she is not merely tolerated but cherished.
-Proverbs 5:18 already urges, “Rejoice in the wife of your youth.” Verse 19 expands that call by portraying her as the object of continual, affectionate joy.
A graceful fawn- “Graceful” underscores beauty in movement and character. A fawn is delicate and appealing, capturing how a wife’s presence should captivate her husband’s eyes and heart (Songs 4:5 ; 7:3).
- The verse normalizes admiring a spouse’s attractiveness. Far from shameful, such admiration guards against wandering desires (Proverbs 5:20).
- Grace is more than appearance; it flows from a spirit transformed by wisdom (Proverbs 31:30), inviting the husband into deeper respect and honor (Ephesians 5:28–29).
May her breasts satisfy you always- Scripture celebrates marital intimacy without embarrassment. Satisfaction within covenant love is God-ordained, safeguarding both partners (1 Corinthians 7:3–5).
- The word “always” stresses constancy. Passion is not a fleeting honeymoon phase but a lifelong provision (Songs 7:7–9).
- This exclusivity protects marriage from adultery—an offense condemned in the surrounding context ofProverbs 5:3–14 and reinforced byHebrews 13:4.
May you be captivated by her love forever- “Captivated” pictures being joyfully “intoxicated” (cf.Proverbs 5:20); the husband willingly yields to his wife’s affection rather than to forbidden allurements.
- The adverb “forever” establishes permanence, echoing Jesus’ words, “What therefore God has joined together, let man not separate” (Mark 10:9).
- Lifelong devotion mirrors Christ’s unending love for His church (Ephesians 5:25, 31-33), making marriage a living testimony of the gospel.
-Malachi 2:14-16 warns against faithlessness, further underscoring that marital love is a covenant to be guarded, not a contract to be discarded.
summaryProverbs 5:19 presents God’s blueprint for marital joy: a husband cherishes a gentle, graceful wife; he delights in her physical beauty without guilt; their intimacy remains exclusive and satisfying; and their mutual love endures for life. Embracing this design honors the Lord, shields the couple from temptation, and showcases the steadfast love He displays toward His people.
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Loving hind and pleasant roe.--The deer and chamois, from their grace and speed and lustrous eyes, have always been chosen by the Oriental poets as figures of human strength and beauty. (Comp.
Song of Solomon 2:9;
Song of Solomon 2:17;
Song of Solomon 7:3;
Song of Solomon 8:14;
Psalm 18:33.) Both these animals are said to be remarkable for their affection to their young.
Verse 19. -
Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe. The words in italics do not occur in the original. The expression, "the loving hind and pleasant roe," is, therefore, to be attached to the preceding verse, as carrying on the sense and as descriptive of the grace and fascinating charms of the young wife. As combining these attributes, she is to be the object of thy love and devotion,the one in whom thine affections are to find the fulfilment of their desires. Love and grace are her possessions. The
loving hind (Hebrew,
ayyeleth ahavim); literally,
the hind of loves, which may be understood, as in the Authorized Version, as pointing to the fondness of this animal for its young, or as descriptive of its beauty and the extreme gracefulness of its form. In this sense the phrase may be rendered, "the lovely hind." The
ayyeleth, or
ayyalah, feminine of
ayyal, "stag," or "hart," was in all probability the gazelle,
Pleasant roe (Hebrew,
yhaalath khen); literally,
the ibex of grace. The particular expression only occurs here in the Bible.
The yaalath is the feminine of
yaal, "the ibex" or "mountain goat" according to Bochart, or the "chamois" according to Gesenius. It does not appear that it is so much "the pleasantness" or amiability of this animal which is here alluded to as its gracefulness of form. As terms of endearment, the words entered largely into the erotic poetry of the East. Thus in the
Song of Solomon 4:5 the bride likens her beloved to "a roe or young hart" (cf. also
Song of Solomon 4:17 and Song 8:14). while numerous examples might be quoted from the Arabian and Persian poets. They were also employed sometimes as names for women. Compare the superscription of
Psalm 22,
Ayyeleth hash-shakar, "Upon the hind of the dawn."
Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times. The love of the wife is to refresh and fully satisfy the husband. The word
dadeyah, "her breasts," only occurs here and in
Ezekiel 23:3, 8, 21, and is equivalent to
dodeyah, "her love." The marginal reading, "water thee," serves to bring out the literal meaning of the
y'ravvuka, derived from
ravah, in kal, "to drink largely," "to be satisfied with drink," but misses the emphatic force of the piel, "to be fully satisfied or satiated." This is expressed very forcibly in the Vulgate rendering, "Let her breasts inebriate thee (
indebrient te)," which represents the strong influence which the attractions of the wife are to maintain. The LXX., on the other hand, avoiding the rather sensual colouring of the language, substitutes, "May she thine own lead thee, and be with thee always."
And be thou ravished always with her love;
i.e. let it intoxicate thee. The teacher, by a bold figure, describes the entire fascination which the husband is to allow the wife to exercise over him. The verb
shagah is "to reel under the influence of wine," and is so used in the succeeding vers. 20 and 23, and
Proverbs 20:1 and
Isaiah 28:7. The primary meaning, "to err from the way," scarcely applies here, and does not express the idea of the teacher, which is to describe "an intensity of love connected with the feeling of superabundant happiness" (Delitzsch). The Vulgate,
In amore ejus delectare jugiter, "In her love delight thyself continually," and the LXX., "For in her love thou shalt be daily engaged," are mere paraphrases.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
A lovingאֲהָבִ֗ים(’ă·hā·ḇîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 158:Love (noun)doe,אַיֶּ֥לֶת(’ay·ye·leṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 365:lofty tree', a city and harbor on the Red Seaa gracefulחֵ֥ן(ḥên)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2580:Graciousness, subjective, objectivefawn—וְֽיַעֲלַ֫ת־(wə·ya·‘ă·laṯ-)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3280:Female mountain goatmay her breastsדַּ֭דֶּיהָ(dad·de·hā)Noun - mdc | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1717:Breast, teat, nipplesatisfy youיְרַוֻּ֣ךָ(yə·raw·wu·ḵā)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7301:To be saturated, drink one's fillalways;בְכָל־(ḇə·ḵāl-)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everymay you be captivatedתִּשְׁגֶּ֥ה(tiš·geh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7686:To stray, to mistake, to transgress, to reel, be enrapturedby her loveבְּ֝אַהֲבָתָ֗הּ(bə·’a·hă·ḇā·ṯāh)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 160:Love (noun)forever.תָמִֽיד׃(ṯā·mîḏ)Adverb
Strong's 8548:Continuance, constant, ellipt, the regular, sacrifice
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 5:19 A loving doe and a graceful deer-- (Prov. Pro Pr) 
