Proverbs 5:16

Proverbs 5:16 is part of a longer teaching about faithfulness in marriage. This verse uses the metaphor of water—springs and streams—to talk about intimacy and love. It asks an important question about whether something precious and private should be shared with everyone or kept special within marriage. This verse reminds us that God designed marriage to be an exclusive relationship where love is treasured and protected.

The Verse in Different Translations

Let's look at how different Bible versions translate this important verse:

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

— Proverbs 5:16 (NIV)

"Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets?"

— Proverbs 5:16 (ESV)

"Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets."

— Proverbs 5:16 (KJV)

"Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone?"

— Proverbs 5:16 (NLT)

What Does This Verse Mean?

Proverbs 5:16 uses word pictures from nature to teach about marriage and faithfulness. Let's break down what this verse is really saying:

"Your springs" and "streams of water"

In ancient times, water was incredibly valuable. Springs and streams meant life—they provided drinking water, water for crops, and water for animals. A spring was a precious resource that people protected carefully.

In this verse, "springs" and "streams" represent intimacy, affection, and the special love that should exist between a husband and wife. Just like water gives physical life, love and intimacy give life to a marriage. The verse is talking about keeping this gift of intimacy exclusive to your spouse.

"Overflow in the streets" and "in the public squares"

The verse asks a question: Should your springs overflow in the streets? Should streams of water flow in public squares? The obvious answer is no! That would be wasteful. If precious water is spilling everywhere, it's not being used for its proper purpose.

When the verse talks about streets and public squares, it's describing sharing intimacy with many people instead of treasuring it within marriage. The point is that what should be private and special shouldn't be given away carelessly to everyone.

The Question Being Asked

This verse is phrased as a question because the answer should be obvious. "Should your springs overflow in the streets?" No! Of course not! In the same way, the love and intimacy meant for marriage shouldn't be shared with everyone. It should be protected and kept special.

Understanding the Full Context

To really understand Proverbs 5:16, we need to see how it fits into the entire chapter. Proverbs 5 is a father giving advice to his son about faithfulness in marriage. Let's look at some key verses around verse 16:

"Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth."

— Proverbs 5:15-18 (NIV)

Verses 15-18 work together as one teaching. The father is saying: be faithful to your own wife (verse 15), don't share intimacy with others (verse 16), keep your love exclusive (verse 17), and find joy in your marriage (verse 18). The water imagery runs through all these verses to make the point about faithfulness.

"For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave."

— Proverbs 5:3-5 (NIV)

Earlier in the chapter, the father warns about the dangers of unfaithfulness. What seems attractive at first ("lips that drip honey") leads to destruction. This sets up why verse 16's question matters so much—being unfaithful has serious consequences.

Why the Water Metaphor?

Water in the Bible often represents life, refreshment, and blessing. A spring of water was one of the most valuable things a family could own. By using this metaphor, God is showing us that intimacy in marriage is incredibly precious and life-giving.

Just as you wouldn't waste precious water by letting it spill uselessly in the streets, you shouldn't waste the gift of intimacy by being unfaithful. Keep it where it belongs—in your marriage—where it can bring life and joy.

Practical Teaching Points

What can we learn from Proverbs 5:16 for our daily lives?

1. Marriage is Meant to Be Exclusive

God designed marriage to be a relationship between two people who commit to each other completely. The whole point of Proverbs 5:16 is that what belongs in marriage should stay in marriage. This exclusive commitment is what makes marriage special and different from other relationships.

2. Faithfulness Protects What's Precious

When you're faithful to your spouse, you protect something valuable. Intimacy is meant to create a deep bond between husband and wife. When it's kept exclusive, it builds trust, security, and closeness. When it's shared with others, it loses its special meaning and causes hurt.

3. What Seems Attractive Can Be Destructive

The beginning of Proverbs 5 warns that unfaithfulness might seem appealing at first, but it leads to pain and regret. The question in verse 16 reminds us to think about consequences. Just because something seems exciting doesn't mean it's good for us.

4. Guard Your Heart and Mind

Faithfulness isn't just about actions—it starts in your thoughts. If you let your mind wander toward being unfaithful, it becomes easier to act on those thoughts. Protect your marriage by guarding what you think about, what you watch, and who you spend time with.

5. Find Joy in Your Marriage

Notice that verse 18 (right after verse 16) says "may you rejoice in the wife of your youth." God doesn't want marriage to feel like a burden. He wants you to find happiness and satisfaction with your spouse. When you're faithful, you create the foundation for real joy in your marriage.

Common Questions and Answers

Q: Does this verse only apply to married people?

While Proverbs 5:16 specifically addresses marriage, the principle of faithfulness and purity applies to everyone. Even before marriage, the Bible teaches us to keep intimacy sacred and save it for marriage. This verse reminds us that physical and emotional intimacy are gifts meant to be treasured, not treated carelessly.

Q: What if I've already made mistakes in this area?

God is always ready to forgive and help you start fresh. The Bible says in 1 John 1:9 that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." If you've been unfaithful or made mistakes with purity, you can ask God for forgiveness and commit to living differently from this day forward.

Q: Why does God care so much about faithfulness?

God created marriage to reflect His faithful love for us. When a husband and wife are faithful to each other, it shows the world what God's love looks like—committed, exclusive, and lasting. God cares about faithfulness because He knows it's what brings the most happiness and protection to our lives.

Q: How can I stay faithful in a culture that doesn't value it?

Staying faithful requires intentional choices. Fill your mind with God's truth by reading the Bible regularly. Choose friends who share your values. Avoid situations, entertainment, or conversations that make unfaithfulness seem normal or acceptable. Most importantly, pray and ask God to help you stay committed to His design for marriage.

Related Verses That Support This Teaching

"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."

— Hebrews 13:4

The New Testament continues this same teaching about faithfulness in marriage. God takes marriage seriously, and He calls us to honor it by staying pure and faithful.

"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

— Matthew 5:28

Jesus taught that faithfulness isn't just about physical actions—it's about the heart. This connects to the idea in Proverbs 5:16 that we need to guard our hearts and keep our affections focused on our spouse.

"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body."

— 1 Corinthians 6:18

Paul emphasizes that sexual sin affects us differently than other sins—it impacts us personally and deeply. This is why Proverbs 5:16 asks us to think carefully about keeping intimacy where it belongs.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

— Proverbs 4:23

This verse from Proverbs reminds us that faithfulness starts in the heart. If we guard our hearts and keep them focused on what's right, our actions will follow.

How to Apply This Verse Today

Here are practical ways to apply the truth of Proverbs 5:16 to your life:

If you're married: Make a fresh commitment to faithfulness. Thank God for your spouse and ask Him to help you treasure your marriage. Look for ways to show love and appreciation to your husband or wife.
If you're single: Commit to saving intimacy for marriage. Recognize that what this verse protects is worth waiting for. Make choices now that will honor your future marriage.
Set boundaries: Think about what situations or relationships might tempt you toward unfaithfulness. Set clear boundaries to protect yourself and your marriage (or future marriage).
Be careful with media: What you watch, read, and listen to affects how you think about relationships. Choose entertainment that supports faithfulness rather than normalizing unfaithfulness.
Find accountability: Have a trusted friend or mentor you can talk to about staying faithful. It helps to have someone who will encourage you and check in on how you're doing.
Invest in your marriage: Don't take your spouse for granted. Spend quality time together, communicate openly, and keep working on your relationship. A strong marriage is the best protection against unfaithfulness.
Seek help if needed: If you're struggling with faithfulness or if your marriage is in trouble, don't wait. Talk to a pastor, counselor, or trusted mentor. Getting help early can save your marriage.

Conclusion

Proverbs 5:16 asks us a simple but powerful question: Should something precious be wasted and scattered everywhere, or should it be treasured and kept special? The answer is obvious when we think about water, and it should be just as obvious when we think about marriage.

God designed intimacy to be a beautiful gift that bonds a husband and wife together. When kept within marriage, it creates trust, joy, and a deep connection. When spread around carelessly, it loses its meaning and causes pain to everyone involved.

This verse isn't meant to make us feel restricted or burdened. It's meant to protect something wonderful. Just like a spring of fresh water is most valuable when it's cared for and used properly, marriage is most beautiful when faithfulness is honored.

Whether you're married or single, young or old, the principle is the same: treasure what's precious. Keep your love focused. Be faithful to your commitments. And trust that God's design for marriage is for your good and His glory.

Remember that God's commands aren't meant to limit your happiness—they're meant to lead you to real, lasting joy. Faithfulness in marriage is one of the ways we experience the kind of love that truly satisfies.