Proverbs 5:16

Proverbs 5:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
• New International Version (NIV)Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
• English Standard Version (ESV)Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets?
• New King James Version (NKJV)Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?

Context of Proverbs 5:16

14I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace.” 15Drink water from your own well— share your love only with your wife. Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? 17You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers. 18Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

Proverbs 5:16 word by word

יָפ֣וּצוּ מַעְיְנֹתֶ֣יךָ ח֑וּצָה בָּ֝רְחֹב֗וֹת פַּלְגֵי־מָֽיִם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Let thy fountainsמַעְיָןma‛yân ma‛yenô ma‛yânâh · springH4599
• be dispersedפּוּץpûts · to flowH6327
• abroadחוּץchûts chûts · outsideH2351
• riversפֶּ֫לֶגpeleg · streamH6388
• of watersמַיmayim · waterH4325
• in the streetsרְחוֹבrechôb rechôb · street/plazaH7339

Cross-references for Proverbs 5:16

• Deuteronomy 33:28So Israel will live in safety, prosperous Jacob in security, in a land of grain and new wine, while the heavens drop down dew.
• Psalms 68:26Praise God, all you people of Israel; praise the Lord, the source of Israel’s life.
• Isaiah 48:21They were not thirsty when he led them through the desert. He divided the rock, and water gushed out for them to drink.
• Genesis 24:60They gave her this blessing as she parted: “Our sister, may you become the mother of many millions! May your descendants be strong and conquer the cities of their enemies.”
• Judges 12:9He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He sent his daughters to marry men outside his clan, and he brought in thirty young women from outside his clan to marry his sons. Ibzan judged Israel for seven years.
• Psalms 127:3Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
• Psalms 128:3Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.

Commentaries on Proverbs 5:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad - Let thy children lawfully begotten be numerous.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Wedded love streams forth in blessing on all around, on children and on neighbors and ill the streets, precisely because the wife‘s true love is given to the husband only.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 5:16

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

In the dictionaries

• Cord
• Mouth
• River
• Education
• Fountain
• 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