Proverbs 5:17

17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.

Proverbs 5:17 in Other Translations

17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.

17 Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you.

17 You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers.

17 Your spring water is for you and you only, not to be passed around among strangers.

17 They should be for you alone and not for you [to share] with strangers.

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 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Proverbs 5:17 In-Context

15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.

16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.

18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

19 A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.