Proverbs 5:15

KJV

¶ Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.

KJV (with Strong's)

Drink {H8354} waters {H4325} out of thine own cistern {H953}, and running waters {H5140} out of {H8432} thine own well {H875}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Drink the water from your own cistern, fresh water from your own well.

Berean Standard Bible

Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well.

American Standard Version

Drink waters out of thine own cistern, And running waters out of thine own well.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 5:15 serves as a crucial admonition within the father's warning against sexual immorality, redirecting the hearer from the destructive allure of illicit relationships to the pure, life-giving satisfaction found exclusively within the marital covenant. Through the evocative imagery of a personal cistern and well, the verse metaphorically commands marital fidelity and contentment, presenting the spouse as the singular, abundant, and refreshing source of intimacy and joy, thereby safeguarding against the bitter consequences of infidelity detailed earlier in the chapter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 5 opens with a father's earnest plea for his son to embrace wisdom, particularly concerning sexual purity. Verses 3-14 provide a stark and vivid portrayal of the "strange woman" (the adulteress), detailing her deceptive charm, her smooth words, and the devastating, bitter end she brings—ruin, loss of wealth, health, honor, and ultimately, a descent into Sheol. The father's warning is explicit: "Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house" ([Proverbs 5:8](/proverbs/5-8 "Proverbs 5:8 - Avoid the Adulteress")). Verse 15 marks a pivotal transition, shifting from a negative prohibition ("do not") to a positive, prescriptive command ("do this instead"). It offers the divine antidote to temptation, providing the legitimate and satisfying alternative: exclusive devotion to one's own spouse. This positive instruction is then further elaborated in [Proverbs 5:18-19](/proverbs/5-18-19 "Proverbs 5:18-19 - Rejoice in Your Wife"), which celebrates the joy and pleasure to be found within the legitimate marital bond.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the arid climate of ancient Israel, water was an invaluable and often scarce resource, making a personal "cistern" (a rock-hewn reservoir for rainwater) or "well" (a shaft dug to access groundwater) a symbol of self-sufficiency, security, and prosperity. These private water sources were meticulously guarded and highly prized, representing life itself. "Running waters" (or "living waters") were especially esteemed, signifying fresh, continually flowing, and invigorating water, far superior to stagnant or easily contaminated sources. This potent imagery would have immediately resonated with the ancient audience, powerfully conveying the precious, private, and continually refreshing nature of marital intimacy when kept pure and exclusive. The cultural emphasis on family honor, lineage, and the severe social and economic repercussions of sexual transgression (including disease, social ostracism, and financial ruin) further underscored the gravity of the father's warning and the wisdom of his counsel.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of [Proverbs 5](/proverbs/5 "Proverbs 5 - Warning Against Sexual Immorality") is **marital fidelity and sexual purity**, presented as a cornerstone of wisdom and a safeguard against destruction. Verse 15 specifically champions **exclusive satisfaction within marriage**, asserting it as God's intended design for human intimacy and fulfillment. By urging the son to "drink waters out of thine own cistern," the text emphasizes that all legitimate sexual and emotional satisfaction should be found solely with one's spouse, serving as a powerful **prevention against adultery** and its ruinous consequences ([Proverbs 5:4](/proverbs/5-4 "Proverbs 5:4 - The Bitter End of Adultery")). The imagery of "running waters" also subtly introduces the theme of **abundance and ongoing refreshment**, suggesting that a faithful marriage is not a restrictive bond but a dynamic, continually invigorating source of joy and contentment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Drink (Hebrew, _shâthâh'_):** This primitive root signifies "to imbibe," encompassing both the literal act of drinking and the figurative act of partaking in, enjoying, and finding satisfaction from a source. In this imperative command, "Drink!", it conveys an active, intentional engagement with and appropriation of the "waters" for one's own refreshment, sustenance, and deep personal fulfillment. It implies a complete and satisfying consumption.
* **Waters (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** This dual noun refers to "water" literally, but in biblical wisdom literature, it frequently carries rich figurative meaning. Here, "waters" symbolize the life-giving, refreshing, and deeply satisfying essence of intimacy, pleasure, and fulfillment within the marital relationship. The plural form suggests an abundant supply, while the context implicitly contrasts these pure, legitimate waters with the "stolen waters" of illicit affairs, highlighting the purity and legitimacy of the marital source.
* **Cistern/Well (Hebrew, _bôwr'_ / _bᵉʼêr'_):** Both terms refer to private, owned sources of water, essential for survival in the ancient Near East. A "cistern" (H953) is typically a rock-cut reservoir for collecting rainwater, while a "well" (H875) is a shaft dug to access groundwater. Metaphorically, these represent one's own spouse, emphasizing the exclusivity, privacy, and personal ownership inherent in the marital covenant. The imagery powerfully underscores that the legitimate source of sexual and emotional satisfaction is to be found solely within the bounds of one's own marriage, a resource that is both personal and precious.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Drink waters out of thine own cistern":** This clause issues a direct, imperative command, urging the hearer to actively seek and find their deepest satisfaction and refreshment (symbolized by "waters") exclusively from their own legitimate source (their "cistern," representing their spouse). The possessive "thine own" is paramount, underscoring the private, personal, and exclusive nature of this source. It is a profound call to marital fidelity, demanding that all legitimate desires for intimacy and companionship be met solely within the marital covenant.
* **"and running waters out of thine own well":** This second clause functions as a powerful parallel, reinforcing and intensifying the meaning of the first. "Running waters" (Hebrew, _nâzal'_ H5140, implying flowing or gushing water) suggest a fresh, continually flowing, and invigorating source, implying that the satisfaction found within marriage is not stagnant or finite but dynamic, abundant, and ever-renewing. "Thine own well" reiterates the theme of exclusivity and personal ownership, firmly establishing the spouse as the unique and sufficient source of this ongoing refreshment, joy, and profound fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 5:15 is rich in **Metaphor**, where the "cistern" and "well" serve as powerful symbols for one's spouse, and "waters" represent sexual intimacy, satisfaction, and the life-giving joy found exclusively within the marital bond. This central metaphor vividly conveys the idea of exclusive access and ownership. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second line ("and running waters out of thine own well") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first line ("Drink waters out of thine own cistern"). This repetition serves to emphasize the singular, exclusive, and abundant source of marital satisfaction. Furthermore, the verse utilizes vivid **Imagery**, drawing on the essential and highly valued resource of water in an arid land to illustrate the precious, vital, and continually refreshing nature of a faithful marital relationship, implicitly contrasting it with the "stolen waters" of illicit affairs that ultimately lead to bitterness and death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse articulates a profound theological truth regarding the sanctity and exclusivity of marriage as a divine institution. It teaches that God's design for human intimacy and sexual fulfillment is found solely within the covenant of marriage, where a husband and wife are intended to be a unique, sufficient, and continually refreshing source of joy and satisfaction for each other. This principle actively guards against the destructive forces of lust, infidelity, and relational fragmentation that undermine individuals, families, and communities. The satisfaction derived from one's own spouse is presented as pure, legitimate, and life-giving, standing in stark contrast to the fleeting, bitter, and ultimately ruinous "stolen waters" of illicit relationships. It underscores the wisdom of God's boundaries, which are established not to restrict joy but to protect, enhance, and lead to true human flourishing and contentment.

* [Proverbs 5:18](/proverbs/5-18 "Proverbs 5:18 - Rejoice with the Wife of Your Youth") - Directly follows this verse, reinforcing the positive command to "rejoice with the wife of thy youth."
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage is Honourable") - Affirms the New Testament's emphasis on the honor and purity of the marriage bed, stating that "marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled."
* [1 Corinthians 7:3-5](/1_corinthians/7-3-5 "1 Corinthians 7:3-5 - Marital Duties and Mutual Satisfaction") - Paul's instructions on mutual marital duties and satisfaction to prevent temptation align perfectly with the proactive fulfillment encouraged in Proverbs 5:15.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 5:15 issues a timeless and profound call for believers to actively cultivate, cherish, and find deep satisfaction within the intimacy of their own marriage, recognizing it as a sacred and exclusive covenant. It challenges individuals not merely to passively avoid infidelity, but to proactively invest in their marital relationship, fostering profound emotional, spiritual, and physical connection with their spouse. This involves intentional and empathetic communication, mutual respect, shared experiences, and a selfless commitment to meeting each other's legitimate needs and desires within the sacred bounds of the marriage. The verse encourages a mindset of contentment and profound gratitude for the spouse God has given, recognizing that true, lasting, and abundant satisfaction is found in the purity and exclusivity of the marital bond, rather than in seeking fleeting, deceptive pleasures elsewhere. For those not yet married, it serves as a powerful reminder of the value of purity, self-control, and the divine wisdom of reserving intimacy for the covenant of marriage.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical and intentional ways can I more fully "drink waters" from my own "cistern" and "well" in my marriage this week?**
* **What specific temptations or external "waters" (e.g., media, relationships, desires) do I need to guard against in order to maintain the purity and exclusivity of my marital relationship?**
* **How does cultivating deep satisfaction within my marriage serve as a powerful witness to God's wise and beautiful design for human relationships and intimacy?**

### FAQ
**What do "cistern" and "well" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: In Proverbs 5:15, the "cistern" and "well" are potent metaphors for one's own spouse. In the ancient world, these were private, vital, and exclusive sources of life-sustaining water. By employing this imagery, the proverb emphasizes that a person's spouse is the sole, legitimate, and sufficient source of sexual intimacy, emotional satisfaction, and the refreshing joy that God intends to be found exclusively within the covenant of marriage. It underscores the preciousness and exclusivity of the marital bond as the divinely ordained place for such fulfillment, contrasting it sharply with any "stolen waters" from illicit relationships ([Proverbs 9:17](/proverbs/9-17 "Proverbs 9:17 - Stolen Waters Are Sweet")).

**Is this verse only about sexual fidelity?**

Answer: While Proverbs 5:15 is primarily understood in the immediate context of sexual fidelity and the avoidance of adultery, its wisdom extends beyond mere physical intimacy. The "waters" from one's "cistern" and "well" can also symbolize the holistic satisfaction—emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and relational—that should be found and cultivated within a marriage. The broader context of Proverbs consistently emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of life and wisdom. Therefore, the verse encourages a comprehensive commitment to one's spouse, fostering a relationship where all legitimate needs and desires for companionship, comfort, and joy are met exclusively within the marital bond, thereby proactively preventing the temptation to seek fulfillment outside of it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 5:15, with its profound call to exclusive satisfaction within one's own well, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as the physical well provides life-sustaining water in an arid land, Jesus declares Himself to be the ultimate source of "living water" that truly satisfies the deepest spiritual longings of the human soul ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water")). He is the "well" from whom we are to drink exclusively, finding in Him all spiritual refreshment, joy, and eternal fulfillment, thereby preventing us from seeking satisfaction in the "broken cisterns" of the world that can hold no water ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns")). Furthermore, the rich imagery of marital fidelity and exclusive devotion in Proverbs powerfully foreshadows the covenantal and exclusive relationship between Christ and His Church. The Church, as the Bride of Christ, is called to absolute faithfulness and singular devotion to Him alone, rejecting the idolatry and spiritual adultery of seeking ultimate satisfaction elsewhere ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). In Christ, we find the perfect example of unwavering love and commitment, and through His empowering Spirit, we are enabled to live out the principles of fidelity and exclusive devotion in all our relationships, mirroring His own steadfast faithfulness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 7:2

Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

1 Corinthians 7:5

Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Proverbs 5:18

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

Proverbs 5:19

[Let her be as] the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.