Proverbs 5:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.

NIV: A loving doe, a graceful deer-- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.

NASB: Like a loving doe and a graceful mountain goat, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be exhilarated always with her love.

CSB: A loving deer, a graceful doe -- let her breasts always satisfy you; be lost in her love forever.

NLT: She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: As a loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love.

Despite what some might think, Scripture does not shy away from the concepts of sexuality and pleasure. Rather, the Bible establishes them in the context of monogamous marriage between a man and woman. That joy and happiness is encouraged, here as in other passages.

A husband should picture his wife as lovely as a deer and as graceful as a doe. He should always delight in her breasts and be intoxicated always in her love. In the Song of Solomon, Solomon addresses his beloved as beautiful. He refers to her breasts as "like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, that graze among the lilies" (Song of Solomon 4:5), and he declares, "You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes" (Song of Solomon 4:9). Those unfamiliar with these passages may find those depictions awkward or uncomfortable. But Proverbs and Song of Solomon show that God considers physical attraction and conjugal love within a marriage as beautiful and commendable.

The difference between sexual love in marriage and sensual lust in adultery is striking. The former is lifelong; the latter is momentary and fleeting. The former is satisfying; the latter is destructive. God instituted marriage between a man and a woman as a lifelong, loving partnership. When an adulterer breaks the bond of that partnership, pain and remorse fill his soul.

Proverbs 5:15–23 follows sections warning about the temptations and consequences of adultery. In this closing section of Proverbs 5, Solomon advises each of his sons to stay faithful to his wife in a monogamous relationship and to enjoy the blessings of marriage. He points out that the Lord knows all about each person's conduct.

Solomon approaches the subject of adultery by describing a prototype seducer: a smooth talker who leads the victim down a dangerous road. Sin promises pleasure, but it is ultimately brief and destructive consequences are long lasting. The destructive consequences include a loss of strength, respect, money, and longevity. The person who disregards godly counsel about adultery experiences ruin and disgrace. Faithfulness in marriage brings a person exuberance and joy. No sin, including adultery, is hidden from God. Sin ensnares the adulterer and shows that he is foolish, undisciplined, and far from the Lord.

This chapter continues the wise sayings Solomon addresses to his children and / or students. Solomon warns about the temptation to succumb to adultery. He points out the calamities of yielding to sexual sin, and of violating one's marriage. This warning is similar the one given in Proverbs 1:8–10. After cautioning about the risks of adultery, he cites the joys and advantages of monogamous marriage.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.