Proverbs 5:18 KJV — Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Proverbs 5:18 KJV — Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Analyse this verse, regarding the Bible as an objective expression of universal and absolute truth, and examine the phrase “wife of thy youth” in the original Hebrew and the context of all Scripture. Could this be talking to someone who is no longer a youth meaning that it is an expectation of Scripture that enjoyment happens beyond youth? What sort of age could this be?
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Analysis of Proverbs 5:18 (KJV)
“Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.”
1. Objective Truth in Scripture
From an absolute and universal standpoint, the Bible presents Proverbs as wisdom literature inspired by God, offering divine principles for life. Proverbs 5, in particular, warns against adultery and promotes marital faithfulness as a source of blessing.
2. Hebrew Examination of “Wife of Thy Youth”
The phrase “wife of thy youth” in Hebrew is אֵשֶׁת נְעוּרֶיךָ (eshet neʿurekha).
- אֵשֶׁת (eshet) – “wife”
- נְעוּרֶיךָ (neʿurekha) – “your youth” (from na’ar, meaning youth or young manhood)
This phrase appears in other parts of Scripture, such as Malachi 2:14-15, where it refers to a man’s covenant with the wife he married when he was young, reinforcing the idea of lifelong commitment.
3. Context: Not Just for the Young
The command to “rejoice” with the wife of one’s youth implies a lifelong enjoyment, not limited to youth itself. It suggests:
- A husband remains faithful to the wife he married in his youth.
- He continues to take joy in her as they age together.
- The principle of blessing extends beyond youth into old age.
4. What Age Is Implicit?
Since this is directed at a man who had a wife in his youth, but is still commanded to rejoice, it necessarily applies to an older man. This could mean:
- Middle age (40s-50s), when some men are tempted to midlife crises.
- Old age (60s-80s), when physical affection and companionship still hold deep significance.
5. Supporting Scripture
- Ecclesiastes 9:9 – “Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity…” (reinforces a lifelong perspective).
- Malachi 2:14-15 – Condemns faithlessness to the “wife of thy youth,” implying she remains one’s wife even in old age.
- Song of Solomon 4:9-10 – Celebrates marital delight and love beyond the fleeting nature of youth.
Conclusion
Yes, Proverbs 5:18 implies an expectation that enjoyment of one’s wife is not confined to youth but extends throughout life. The phrase “wife of thy youth” acknowledges the passage of time and insists on continued delight even into old age. This is a countercultural perspective in a world that often devalues lifelong commitment in favour of temporary passion.