Proverbs 5:17

Proverbs 5:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.
• New International Version (NIV)Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Let them be only your own, And not for strangers with you.

Context of Proverbs 5:17

15Drink water from your own cistern [of a pure marriage relationship] And fresh running water from your own well. 16Should your springs (children) be dispersed, As streams of water in the streets? [Confine yourself to your own wife.] Let your children be yours alone, And not the children of strangers with you. 18Let your fountain (wife) be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity], And rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19Let her be as a loving hind and graceful doe, Let her breasts refresh and satisfy you at all times; Always be exhilarated and delight in her love.

Proverbs 5:17 word by word

יִֽהְיוּ־לְךָ֥ לְבַדֶּ֑ךָ וְאֵ֖ין לְזָרִ֣ים אִתָּֽךְ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’זוּרzûr · be a strangerH2114

Commentaries on Proverbs 5:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Let them be only thine own - The off-spring of a legitimate connection; a bastard brood, however numerous, is no credit to any man.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-23Verses 15-23 Lawful marriage is a means God has appointed to keep from these destructive vices. But we are not properly united, except as we attend to God's word, seeking his direction and blessing, and acting with affection. Ever remember, that though secret sins may escape the eyes of our fellow-creatures, yet a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, who not only sees, but ponders all his goings. Those who are so foolish as to choose the way of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15-18To 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).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-2015-20. By figures, in which well, cistern, and fountain [Pr 5:15, 18] represent the wife, and rivers of waters [Pr 5:16] the children, men are exhorted to constancy and satisfaction in lawful conjugal enjoyments. In Pr 5:16, fountains (in the plural) rather denote the produce or waters of a spring, literally, "what is from a spring," and corresponds with "rivers of waters."Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 5:17

• Adultery
• Chastity
• Harlot (Prostitute)
• Husband
• Temptation
• Women
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Cord
• Mouth
• Education
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Purity
• Sealed, Fountain
• Song of Songs

Commentaries on Proverbs 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings