Proverbs 5:16

16 Let not waters out of thy fountain be spilt by thee, but let thy waters go into thy streets.

Proverbs 5:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 5:16

Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad
Or "shall abound", as the Targum; that is, streams of water from fountains; which Aben Ezra interprets of a multitude of children, namely, that are lawfully begotten: the "fountains" are the man and his wife in lawful marriage; the streams are their offspring lawfully procreated by them; which may be said to be "dispersed abroad", when being grown up they are disposed of in marriage in other families, and so become fountains to others, and public blessings; [and] rivers of waters in the streets;
meaning a numerous posterity as before; and such as a man is not ashamed publicly to own, whereas he is ashamed of such as are unlawfully begotten; but these are to his honour in the streets, and for public good; and particularly to those to whom they are given in marriage; see ( Isaiah 48:1 ) . Jarchi interprets this of multiplying disciples, and of teaching them the law publicly, and of getting a name thereby; but it might be interpreted much better of spreading the doctrines of the Gospel, and of the public ministry and profession of that, for the good of others.

Proverbs 5:16 In-Context

14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15 Drink waters out of thine own vessels, and out of thine own springing wells.
16 Let not waters out of thy fountain be spilt by thee, but let thy waters go into thy streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and let no stranger partake with thee.
18 Let thy fountain of water be thine own; and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.