Proverbs 5:17
Proverbs 5:17 in Multiple Translations
Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.
Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.
Let them be for thyself alone, And not for strangers with thee.
Let them be for yourself only, not for other men with you.
Keep them for yourselves alone. They're not for you to share with strangers.
But let them bee thine, euen thine onely, and not the strangers with thee.
Let them be to thee for thyself, And not to strangers with thee.
Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you.
Let them be only thy own, and not for strangers with thee.
Keep them to thyself alone, neither let strangers be partakers with thee.
Enjoy having sex only with your wife; do not have sex with other women.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 5:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 5:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יִֽהְיוּ
לְ/ךָ֥
לְ/בַדֶּ֑/ךָ
וְ/אֵ֖ין
לְ/זָרִ֣ים
אִתָּֽ/ךְ
יִֽהְיוּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Juss-3mp
לְ/ךָ֥
Prep | Suff
לְ/בַדֶּ֑/ךָ
bad
H905
alone
Prep | N-ms | Suff
וְ/אֵ֖ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Conj | Part
לְ/זָרִ֣ים
zûwr
H2114
be a stranger
Prep | Adj
אִתָּֽ/ךְ
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 5:17
יִֽהְיוּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Juss-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לְ/ךָ֥
""
Prep | Suff
לְ/בַדֶּ֑/ךָ
bad
H905
"alone"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word 'bad' can mean alone, apart, or a separate part of something, like a branch or a bar. It's used to describe something that's only or except for something else.
Definition: : pole 1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone 1a) separation, alone, by itself 1a1) only (adv) 1a2) apart from, besides (prep) 1b) part 1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. See also: Genesis 2:18; Judges 20:15; Psalms 51:6.
וְ/אֵ֖ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Conj | Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
לְ/זָרִ֣ים
zûwr
H2114
"be a stranger"
Prep | Adj
This word has several meanings, including being a stranger or foreigner, like when Abraham lived in Egypt as a foreigner. It can also mean to commit adultery, highlighting the idea of turning aside from what is right and proper, as warned against in Proverbs 5.
Definition: 1) to be strange, be a stranger 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become estranged 1a2) strange, another, stranger, foreigner, an enemy (participle) 1a3) strange woman, prostitute, harlot (meton) 1b) (Niphal) to be estranged 1c) (Hophal) to be a stranger, be one alienated
Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: (come from) another (man, place), fanner, go away, (e-) strange(-r, thing, woman). See also: Exodus 29:33; Proverbs 11:15; Psalms 44:21.
אִתָּֽ/ךְ
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
Study Notes — Proverbs 5:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Proverbs 5:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 5:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 5:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 5:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 5:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 5:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 5:17
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 5:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 5:17
Context — Avoiding Immorality
15Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well.
16Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
17Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.
18May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: 19A loving doe, a graceful fawn— may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever.Proverbs 5:17 Summary
Proverbs 5:17 reminds us that the love and intimacy between a husband and wife should be exclusive and not shared with others. This means being faithful and committed to each other, just like God is faithful to us (as seen in Deuteronomy 7:9). By keeping our marital relationship exclusive, we can build a stronger, more trusting bond with our spouse, which is a beautiful reflection of God's love for us (as noted in Ephesians 5:25-33). This exclusivity is a key part of a healthy and happy marriage, and it's something we should strive for, with God's help and guidance, as encouraged in Psalm 119:105.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'let them be yours alone' in Proverbs 5:17?
This verse is referring to the exclusive nature of marriage, emphasizing that the intimacy and love between a husband and wife should be reserved for each other alone, as seen in Proverbs 5:15-19 and supported by Ephesians 5:33.
Why is it important not to share these things with strangers?
Sharing intimate aspects of marriage with others can lead to hurt, betrayal, and damage to the relationship, as warned in Proverbs 2:16-19 and emphasized in the importance of fidelity in Exodus 20:17.
How does this verse relate to modern issues like infidelity and pornography?
This verse serves as a reminder that the exclusive nature of marriage is essential to its health and longevity, and that compromising this exclusivity through infidelity or other means can have severe consequences, as noted in Proverbs 6:32 and supported by Matthew 5:27-28.
What role does trust play in maintaining the exclusivity mentioned in Proverbs 5:17?
Trust is fundamental in maintaining the exclusivity and intimacy of a marital relationship, as highlighted in Proverbs 31:11 and supported by 1 Corinthians 13:7, where love and trust are intertwined as foundational elements of a strong and healthy marriage.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I work to maintain the exclusivity and intimacy of my marital relationship, as encouraged in Proverbs 5:17?
- How can I prioritize trust and communication in my relationship to strengthen our bond and avoid the pitfalls of infidelity and distrust?
- What are some practical steps I can take to ensure that my relationship with my spouse remains exclusive and fulfilling, as intended by God?
- In what ways can I seek to honor God through my marital relationship, recognizing it as a sacred institution ordained by Him, as seen in Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:31?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 5:17
Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Or "they shall be thine own" (u), as the Targum; meaning not the cistern, the well, or the wife, but the fountains and rivers, or the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 5:17
Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 5:17
Hereby thou mayst be secured, that thou dost not father and leave thine estate to other men’ s children; whereas the parents of harlots’ children are common or uncertain.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 5:17
Proverbs 5:17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.Ver. 17. Let them be only thine own.] Sint, vel erunt; Let them be, or they shall be. It is both an exhortation and a promise; q.d., Far be it from thee to be a pander to thine own bed, as the Lituanians, of whom Maginus relates that they have their connubii adiutores, their coadjutors in wedlock, and prize them far above all their acquaintance. God also will bless thee with an honest wife, that shall be true to thy bed, and not obtrude upon thee children to keep that are not thine. St Paul gives charge, "that no man go beyond, or defraud his brother in the matter". - that is, in re venerea, in the matter of the marriage bed, as some expound it, but that "every one possess his vessel," - that is, say they, his wife, that "weaker vessel" - in sanctification and honour. Jerome, Chrysost., Heinsius.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 5:17
(17) Let them be only thine own.—The deepest joys and sorrows of each heart are sacred, and cannot be shared with others (Proverbs 14:10), and so it is with the various relations of family life also, strangers have no part in them.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 5:17
Verse 17. Let them be only thine own] The off-spring of a legitimate connection; a bastard brood, however numerous, is no credit to any man.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 5:17
15–19. The remedy against sin is to be found in the holy estate which God has ordained. “The resemblance between the two Books (the Song of Solomon and the Book of Proverbs) in their treatment of this subject is singularly striking.” Speaker’s Comm., ad loc.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 5:17
TO AND PROPER DUTIES, Proverbs 5:15-23. 15-17. Drink waters — Waters often stand for posterity. Numbers 24:7. Fountains, wells, and cisterns, in the East were regarded as of great importance.