Proverbs 5:16

Translations

Modern

Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

Traditional

Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.

Literal

Should your fountains be dispersed outside, channels of water in broad places?

Latin

…deriventur fontes tui foras, et in plateis aquas tuas divide.

Original

Hebrew

English

Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

Notes

Proverbs 5:15–18

To drink from one's own well (see also Song 4:12, 15) means to enjoy sexual relations within marriage. Instead of spending sexual energy on immoral women, a man should build a healthy sexual relationship with his wife. Sex should not be shared with strangers. This honors marriage (Genesis 2:22–25) and follows the seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18).

Proverbs 5:1–23

These instructions on loving one's wife and avoiding immoral women were originally for young men starting their careers (see also Proverbs 2:16–22; 7:1–27). This topic is also common in ancient Egyptian wisdom writings.

Theme notes and profiles

Marriage and Sexuality

Related verses

Psalm 128:3
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table.
Psalm 127:3
Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
Deuteronomy 33:28
So Israel dwells securely; the fountain of Jacob lives untroubled in a land of grain and new wine, where even the heavens drip with dew.
Genesis 24:60
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”
Judges 12:9
He had thirty sons, as well as thirty daughters whom he gave in marriage to men outside his clan; and for his sons he brought back thirty wives from elsewhere. Ibzan judged Israel seven years.
Isaiah 48:21
They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out.
Psalm 68:26
Bless God in the great congregation; bless the LORD from the fountain of Israel.

Proverbs 5:16

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