Topical Bible: The Roe: A Good Wife

◄ The Roe: A Good Wife ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical literature, the term "roe" refers to a type of deer, specifically the roe deer, known for its grace and beauty. This imagery is used metaphorically in the Scriptures to describe the qualities of a good wife, emphasizing attributes such as beauty, grace, and fidelity.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 5:18-19 : "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: a loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever." In this passage, the wife is likened to a "loving doe" and a "graceful fawn," highlighting her gentle and captivating nature. The imagery suggests a sense of delight and satisfaction found in the marital relationship, encouraging husbands to cherish and find joy in their wives.

2. Song of Solomon 2:9 : "My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice." Although this verse primarily describes the beloved, the comparison to a gazelle or young stag is reciprocal in the Song of Solomon, where both the bride and groom are often compared to deer. This mutual admiration underscores the beauty and desirability present in a loving marital relationship.

3. Song of Solomon 4:5 : "Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, grazing among the lilies." Here, the bride's physical beauty is celebrated with the imagery of fawns, symbolizing tenderness and grace. The comparison to fawns grazing among lilies evokes a sense of peace and harmony, reflecting the serene and nurturing aspects of a good wife.

Qualities of a Good Wife:

The metaphor of the roe in these passages highlights several key qualities of a good wife:

· Grace and Beauty: The comparison to a doe or fawn emphasizes the wife's physical and inner beauty, suggesting that her presence brings joy and delight to her husband.

· Gentleness and Tenderness: The imagery of a gentle creature like the roe deer suggests a nurturing and tender nature, qualities that are valued in a marital relationship.

· Fidelity and Captivation: The exhortation for a husband to be captivated by his wife's love forever points to the importance of fidelity and the enduring nature of marital love.

· Joy and Satisfaction: The biblical texts encourage husbands to find joy and satisfaction in their wives, reflecting the mutual fulfillment that a good marriage provides.

Cultural and Theological Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the imagery of the roe would have been familiar and evocative, drawing on the natural world to convey deep emotional and relational truths. The use of such imagery in Scripture underscores the importance of marriage as a divine institution, where both partners are called to love, honor, and cherish one another.

Theologically, these passages affirm the sanctity and beauty of marriage, portraying it as a source of blessing and joy. The metaphor of the roe serves as a reminder of the ideal qualities that contribute to a harmonious and fulfilling marital relationship, as ordained by God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 5:19
Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and be you ravished always with her love.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ's Birth
... These presents were little animals not unlike roe-deer. ... Among these people I saw
the surly shepherd's good wife, who had given shelter to the Holy Family on ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xi christs birth.htm

Letter Xlii. To Chilo, his Disciple.
... his thoughts went astray and he sinned against the wife of Uriah ... 2064] that you may
be delivered "as a roe from the ... and in this manner you will in good time get ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xlii to chilo his.htm

On Proverbs. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs.
... a roe, to keep all virtue fresh. And whereas a wife and wisdom are not in this respect
the same, let her rather lead thee; for thus thou shalt conceive good ...
/.../on proverbs from the commentary.htm

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... but the Levite and his murdered wife, the slaughtered ... sullen figure, Asahel stricken
like a roe in the ... light, fountains and rain, and for good fortune"were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

On the Words, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all Things visible ...
... loves, committest no fornication, covetest not thy neighbour's wife. ... who blaspheme
the wise and good Artificer, and ... Roe, Casaubon, which omit me and for alla ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ix on the words.htm

Of Faith.
... regard to offspring, and Sarah his wife was now ... before Pontius Pilate witnessed the
good confession, that ... and Reischl, read anastesai, with Roe, Casaubon, and ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture v of faith.htm

The Statute of David for the Sharing of the Spoil
... For a man to know that his wife is in the hands ... I was a good-for-nothing, over head
and ears in ... heartily, leaping over the mountains, hastening like a roe or a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the statute of david for.htm

"Nunc Dimittis"
... The good servant dares not stir till his Master says, "Depart ... O my Beloved, be like
a roe, or a young hart ... way, and make ready in haste the Lamb's wife for her ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/nunc dimittis.htm

The Minstrel
... in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up ... and the notes will run
thus: "Truly God is good to Israel ... turn, my beloved and be thou like a roe or a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/the minstrel.htm

St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh
... Malachy's feet, 129, 144 omissions of, 53, 87, 169, 170 used good materials, 166. ...
wife of Henry I., 76. "", wife of Stephen, 76. ... Roe Valley, xliv. ...
/.../lawlor/st bernard of clairvauxs life of st malachy of armagh/index 2.htm