Proverbs 5:16 - Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares?
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Proverbs 5:16" mean?
Proverbs 5:16 is part of a longer passage (Proverbs 5:15-17) that uses the imagery of water to discourage marital infidelity. Let's break down what this specific verse likely means within that context:
"Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares?"
"Springs" and "streams of water": These are metaphors for the sexual pleasure and intimacy a man should experience within his marriage. A spring is a private, controlled source of fresh water.
"Overflow in the streets" and "streams of water in the public squares": These phrases suggest uncontrolled and public displays of sexual pleasure. This is likely a metaphorical warning against promiscuity and seeking pleasure outside of marriage. Public squares were open, accessible spaces, suggesting that these pleasures are readily available but ultimately destructive.
The Implied Meaning:
The verse is rhetorical. It's not encouraging you to do that. It's likely used as a way to discourage promiscuity and warn about the consequences of such behavior. Rather, It is setting up a comparison to the following verse that will give us the appropriate advice for our life.
The meaning is that your source of intimacy and pleasure (your "spring") should be kept within the private and sacred space of your marriage and not spilled out indiscriminately in public. To make it more understandable, it is essentially a call to be faithful to your spouse and to value the unique and private relationship you have together.
In essence, this verse uses evocative imagery to convey the importance of marital fidelity and to warn against the dangers of seeking sexual fulfillment outside the bounds of marriage.
Proverbs 5:16 - Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares?
What does "Proverbs 5:16" mean?
Proverbs 5:16 is part of a longer passage (Proverbs 5:15-17) that uses the imagery of water to discourage marital infidelity. Let's break down what this specific verse likely means within that context:
"Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares?"
"Springs" and "streams of water": These are metaphors for the sexual pleasure and intimacy a man should experience within his marriage. A spring is a private, controlled source of fresh water.
"Overflow in the streets" and "streams of water in the public squares": These phrases suggest uncontrolled and public displays of sexual pleasure. This is likely a metaphorical warning against promiscuity and seeking pleasure outside of marriage. Public squares were open, accessible spaces, suggesting that these pleasures are readily available but ultimately destructive.
The Implied Meaning:
The verse is rhetorical. It's not encouraging you to do that. It's likely used as a way to discourage promiscuity and warn about the consequences of such behavior. Rather, It is setting up a comparison to the following verse that will give us the appropriate advice for our life.
The meaning is that your source of intimacy and pleasure (your "spring") should be kept within the private and sacred space of your marriage and not spilled out indiscriminately in public. To make it more understandable, it is essentially a call to be faithful to your spouse and to value the unique and private relationship you have together.
In essence, this verse uses evocative imagery to convey the importance of marital fidelity and to warn against the dangers of seeking sexual fulfillment outside the bounds of marriage.