Proverbs 5:17, "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth... Let her be your loving doe, your graceful deer. May her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. (NIV, with context added for clarity)," is part of a larger section warning against adultery. This verse is advocating for marital fidelity and exclusivity within the marriage bond. Let's break it down:
"Let them be for yourself alone..." This refers back to the "fountain" mentioned earlier, a metaphor for sexual intimacy and affection. It emphasizes that these intimate acts and feelings should be reserved exclusively for your spouse.
"...not for strangers with you." The "strangers" represent anyone outside of the marriage. This explicitly forbids adultery and extramarital affairs. The verse stresses that the pleasures and intimacies of marriage should not be shared with anyone else.
In essence, this verse encourages spouses to focus their sexual and emotional energy within their marriage. It highlights the importance of fidelity and warns against seeking intimacy or affection outside the marital relationship.
Proverbs 5:17, "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth... Let her be your loving doe, your graceful deer. May her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. (NIV, with context added for clarity)," is part of a larger section warning against adultery. This verse is advocating for marital fidelity and exclusivity within the marriage bond. Let's break it down:
"Let them be for yourself alone..." This refers back to the "fountain" mentioned earlier, a metaphor for sexual intimacy and affection. It emphasizes that these intimate acts and feelings should be reserved exclusively for your spouse.
"...not for strangers with you." The "strangers" represent anyone outside of the marriage. This explicitly forbids adultery and extramarital affairs. The verse stresses that the pleasures and intimacies of marriage should not be shared with anyone else.
In essence, this verse encourages spouses to focus their sexual and emotional energy within their marriage. It highlights the importance of fidelity and warns against seeking intimacy or affection outside the marital relationship.