Proverbs 5:18Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~950 BC. Solomon concludes his marriage counsel with joy, urging his son to find delight in lifelong commitment...
The emotion here: hopeful father wanting his son to experience marital joy
The original word
samach (שָׂמַח) — to rejoice actively, not passive contentment but chosen celebration
Why it matters
In Solomon's era, many kings had multiple wives for politics - he's advocating joy in one partner
Read with care
What most readers miss in Proverbs 5:18
'Wife of your youth' suggests she may now be older - rejoice in her as she is NOW, not just the memory
Common misconceptionPeople think this verse is saying 'settle for your old spouse.' Solomon is actually commanding active celebration - choose joy in the person your spouse has become, wrinkles and all.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Proverbs 5:18
Bible Genome reading
Proverbs 5:18 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Proverbs 5:18 comes from the book of Proverbs, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Solomon. The dominant emotion in this verse is joyful, with a comfort power of 70% and a tone that is joyful. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include joy, marriage, blessing. Notable phrases: rejoice in the wife of your youth. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same joyful
“For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, …”
— Isaiah 9:6
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:22
“"Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?"”
— 1 Corinthians 15:55
“Rejoice always.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
Your reflection
What does Proverbs 5:18 mean to you, today?
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