Proverbs 5:16
Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
Original Language Analysis
יָפ֣וּצוּ
be dispersed
H6327
יָפ֣וּצוּ
be dispersed
Strong's:
H6327
Word #:
1 of 6
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
מַעְיְנֹתֶ֣יךָ
Let thy fountains
H4599
מַעְיְנֹתֶ֣יךָ
Let thy fountains
Strong's:
H4599
Word #:
2 of 6
a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)
בָּ֝רְחֹב֗וֹת
in the streets
H7339
בָּ֝רְחֹב֗וֹת
in the streets
Strong's:
H7339
Word #:
4 of 6
a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area
Cross References
Psalms 128:3Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.Isaiah 48:21And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.Psalms 127:3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.Psalms 68:26Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.Genesis 24:60And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.Deuteronomy 33:28Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.Judges 12:9And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern sexual ethics varied widely, but biblical teaching consistently reserved sexual expression for marriage covenant. Unlike surrounding cultures where temple prostitution and casual sexuality were normalized, Israel's God demanded exclusive sexual faithfulness within marriage as reflection of exclusive covenant faithfulness to Yahweh.
Questions for Reflection
- How does biblical sexual ethics contrast with cultural messages about sexual freedom?
- What does it mean to 'disperse' versus 'preserve' sexual energy, and why does it matter?
- How does viewing sexual capacity as precious resource affect your sexual ethics?
Analysis & Commentary
Let your fountains be dispersed, and rivers of waters in the streets. This likely ironic statement questions whether sexual capacity should be shared promiscuously. The rhetorical answer (v.17) is no - intimacy should be reserved for marriage. The Hebrew 'palash' (dispersed/spread) describes indiscriminate scattering. Sexual energy is precious resource not to be wasted but carefully directed.