What does Proverbs 5:15 mean?
ESV: Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well.
NIV: Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
NASB: Drink water from your own cistern, And fresh water from your own well.
CSB: Drink water from your own cistern, water flowing from your own well.
NLT: Drink water from your own well — share your love only with your wife.
KJV: Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
NKJV: Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well.
Verse Commentary:
In this verse Solomon compares monogamy to a well of flowing water. He advises his sons, or students, to enjoy the water that flows from his own well. Part of the joy that comes from sex within marriage is knowing that it is pleasure sanctioned and celebrated by God. The confidence of knowing something is moral, and legitimate, and sacred only enhances the happiness it brings.
The delights of marriage are many. God established monogamy when He pointed out that it was not good for man to be alone. He created Eve from one of Adam's ribs and brought her to Adam. When Adam saw Eve, he said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man" (Genesis 2:23). The next verse emphasizes the bond that unites husband and wife: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). If a man holds fast to his wife, he will enjoy the delights of marriage and not stray into an adulterous relationship.
Verse Context:
Proverbs 5:15–23 follows sections warning about the temptations and consequences of adultery. In this closing section of Proverbs 5, Solomon advises each of his sons to stay faithful to his wife in a monogamous relationship and to enjoy the blessings of marriage. He points out that the Lord knows all about each person's conduct.
Chapter Summary:
Solomon approaches the subject of adultery by describing a prototype seducer: a smooth talker who leads the victim down a dangerous road. Sin promises pleasure, but it is ultimately brief and destructive consequences are long lasting. The destructive consequences include a loss of strength, respect, money, and longevity. The person who disregards godly counsel about adultery experiences ruin and disgrace. Faithfulness in marriage brings a person exuberance and joy. No sin, including adultery, is hidden from God. Sin ensnares the adulterer and shows that he is foolish, undisciplined, and far from the Lord.
Chapter Context:
This chapter continues the wise sayings Solomon addresses to his children and / or students. Solomon warns about the temptation to succumb to adultery. He points out the calamities of yielding to sexual sin, and of violating one's marriage. This warning is similar the one given in Proverbs 1:8–10. After cautioning about the risks of adultery, he cites the joys and advantages of monogamous marriage.
Book Summary:
Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.
Accessed 4/28/2024 10:16:03 AM
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Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
