Proverbs 5:19
“A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”
Explanation and Commentary of Proverbs 5:19
Embedded in the warning against the folly of adultery, the father’s advice to his son is that he should drink water from his own cistern (Prov 5:16), and rejoice in the wife of his youth (Prov 5:18). The Bible does not deny that people are driven to desire romance and even sexual fulfillment, but the fact is that God has created those things as components of a healthy and godly relationship between a man and a woman who are married under God and for as long as they both shall live.
From this verse, we can see that God doesn’t only intend for us to be attracted to, and in love with our wives when we first meet them, or when we are in the years of producing children. There is a heresy that teaches such. The answer to the question of when should one cease to be intoxicated by the love of the wife of his youth, is only upon death. This doesn’t mean that there will not be rough patches in the span of a Christian marriage. In Genesis 3, after Eve was deceived by the serpent and rebelled against God by disobeying his command to refrain from eating of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, her consequence before God included that her marriage would be difficult. “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you” (Gen 3:15).
The curse upon the woman was a curse upon them both. For this reason, marital relationships can be difficult. The love that should be intoxicating can be elusive as sin occasionally corrupts even the godliest of marriage relationships. But when things are as they should be because both husband and wife are submitted to God, to truth, and to one another, companionship, respect, love, and even physical attraction should last well into old age by the grace of God.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Proverbs 5:19
#1 “A loving doe, a graceful deer—”
It is a blessing to see one’s wife this way. Very often, what will make her seem this way is to treat her as though she already is. God has made her to blossom under the loving attention of her husband.
#2 “may her breasts satisfy you always,”
The wife that God has given, the flesh of your flesh, bone of your bones (Gen 2:23), should be the standard of beauty for you. Discipline to never look lustfully at another will cultivate this satisfaction.
#3 “may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”
What is implied here is the physical affection of lovemaking. In a healthy, godly, married relationship, the marriage bed will be a place of pleasure, where a man and wife can enjoy the gift that God has given of conjugal joy.
Expert Overview of Proverbs
Biblical Translations of Proverbs 5:19
NIV
A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
NLT
She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love.
ESV
A lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in 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.
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.