Proverbs 5:17

17 but let them be for you alone and not for strangers with you.

Proverbs 5:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 5:17

Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
] Or "they shall be thine own" F21, as the Targum; meaning not the cistern, the well, or the wife, but the fountains and rivers, or the children; by a man's cleaving to his own wife, who is a chaste and virtuous woman, he is satisfied that the children he has by her are his own, and not another's; whereas if he has to do with a common harlot, it is uncertain whose children they are, she prostituting herself to many: it may be applied to the peculiar possession and steadfast retention of the truths of the Gospel, in opposition to all divers and strange doctrines propagated by others; see ( Revelation 2:25 ) ( 3:11 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F21 (Kl wyhy) "erunt tui", Mercerus, Cocceius; "erunt tibi", Baynus; "existent tibi", Schultens.

Proverbs 5:17 In-Context

15 Drink the water from your own cistern, fresh water from your own well.
16 Let what your springs produce be dispersed outside, streams of water flowing in the streets;
17 but let them be for you alone and not for strangers with you.
18 Let your fountain, the wife of your youth, be blessed; find joy in her
19 a lovely deer, a graceful fawn; let her breasts satisfy you at all times, always be infatuated with her love.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.