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 pivotal admonition within a broader warning against sexual immorality, urging the hearer to find exclusive satisfaction and joy within the bounds of their own marriage. Employing the vivid imagery of a personal cistern and well, the verse metaphorically calls for marital fidelity and contentment, presenting it as the pure, life-giving alternative to the destructive allure of illicit relationships described earlier in the chapter. It highlights that true fulfillment and refreshment are found in the committed, exclusive bond of one's own spouse.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 5 opens with a father's urgent appeal to his son to heed wisdom and understanding, specifically in the realm of sexual purity. Verses 3-14 graphically depict the seductive charm and devastating consequences of the adulteress, portraying her words as sweet but her end as bitter, leading to ruin, regret, and the loss of wealth, health, and reputation. The father warns against even approaching her house or path. Verse 15 marks a significant pivot from this negative warning to a positive, prescriptive command. Instead of merely saying "do not," it provides the "do this instead," offering the antidote to temptation: finding complete and exclusive satisfaction within one's own marriage. This positive command is then elaborated upon in the subsequent verses, particularly [Proverbs 5:18-19](/proverbs/5-18 "Proverbs 5:18-19 - Rejoice in Your Wife"), which explicitly celebrates the joy and pleasure to be found with one's wife.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, water was an indispensable and precious commodity, especially in arid regions like Israel. A personal "cistern" (a rock-cut reservoir for collecting rainwater) or "well" (a shaft dug to access groundwater) represented a vital, often exclusive, and highly valued source of life-sustaining water. Owning such a source implied self-sufficiency, security, and prosperity. "Running waters" (or "living waters") were particularly prized, signifying fresh, continually flowing, and invigorating water, superior to stagnant or easily contaminated sources. This imagery would have immediately resonated with an ancient audience, powerfully conveying the precious, private, and continually refreshing nature of marital intimacy when kept pure and exclusive. The cultural emphasis on family lineage, honor, and the dangers of sexual transgression (which could lead to social ostracization, disease, and economic ruin) further underscores the gravity of the father's warning.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme of [Proverbs 5](/proverbs/5 "Proverbs 5 - Warning Against Adultery") is **marital fidelity and sexual purity**. Verse 15 specifically champions **exclusive satisfaction within marriage**, presenting it as the divine 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 exclusively with one's spouse, thereby serving as a powerful **prevention against adultery**. This positive command reinforces the idea that true joy and contentment are not found in illicit pleasures, which ultimately lead to bitterness and regret ([Proverbs 5:4](/proverbs/5-4 "Proverbs 5:4 - The Bitter End of Adultery")), but in the committed, life-giving relationship of marriage. 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 continually invigorating source of joy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Drink (Hebrew, _shâthâh'_):** This primitive root means "to imbibe," encompassing both literal drinking and figurative consumption. In this context, it signifies the act of partaking in, enjoying, and finding satisfaction from a source. It implies a deep, personal engagement and appropriation of the "waters" for one's own refreshment and sustenance. The imperative "Drink!" is a direct command to actively seek and experience this satisfaction.
* **Waters (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** This dual noun refers to "water" literally, but frequently carries rich figurative meaning in Scripture. Here, it symbolizes the life-giving, refreshing, and satisfying essence of intimacy, pleasure, and fulfillment within the marital relationship. The plural form suggests abundance, while the contrast with "stolen waters" (implied by the surrounding context) highlights the purity and legitimacy of this source.
* **Cistern/Well (Hebrew, _bôwr'_ / _bᵉʼêr'_):** Both terms refer to private, owned sources of water. A "cistern" is a reservoir for collected rainwater, while a "well" is a shaft dug to access groundwater. Metaphorically, these represent one's own spouse, emphasizing the exclusivity, privacy, and personal ownership of the marital relationship. The imagery underscores that the source of legitimate 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 command to the hearer to find their satisfaction and refreshment (symbolized by "waters") exclusively from their own legitimate source (their "cistern," representing their spouse). The possessive "thine own" is crucial, emphasizing the private, personal, and exclusive nature of this source. It is a call to marital fidelity and to seek fulfillment solely within the marital covenant.
* **"and running waters out of thine own well":** This second clause parallels and reinforces the first, using slightly different but complementary imagery. "Running waters" (or "living waters") suggest a fresh, continually flowing, and invigorating source, implying that the satisfaction found within marriage is not stagnant or finite but dynamic and ever-renewing. "Thine own well" reiterates the theme of exclusivity and personal ownership, underscoring that the spouse is the unique and sufficient source of this ongoing refreshment and joy.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 5:15 is rich in **Metaphor**, where the "cistern" and "well" represent one's spouse, and "waters" symbolize sexual intimacy, satisfaction, and the life-giving joy found within marriage. This central metaphor powerfully 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 emphasizes the singular, exclusive 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 refreshing nature of a faithful marital relationship, contrasting it implicitly with the "stolen waters" of illicit affairs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound theological statement on 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 to be a unique and sufficient source of joy and satisfaction for each other. This principle guards against the destructive forces of lust and infidelity, which fragment individuals, families, and communities. The satisfaction derived from one's own spouse is presented as pure, legitimate, and life-giving, contrasting sharply with the fleeting, bitter, and ultimately ruinous "stolen waters" of illicit relationships. It underscores the wisdom of God's boundaries, which are given not to restrict joy but to protect and enhance it, leading to true flourishing.

* [Proverbs 5:18](/proverbs/5-18 "Proverbs 5:18 - Rejoice with the Wife of Your Youth") - Directly follows, reinforcing the 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.
* [1 Corinthians 7:3-5](/1_corinthians/7-3 "1 Corinthians 7:3-5 - Marital Duties and Mutual Satisfaction") - Paul's instructions on mutual marital duties and satisfaction to prevent temptation align with the proactive fulfillment encouraged in Proverbs 5:15.

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

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I "drink waters" from my own "cistern" and "well" more fully in my marriage?**
* **What temptations or external "waters" 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 witness to God's design for human relationships?**

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

Answer: In Proverbs 5:15, the "cistern" and "well" are powerful metaphors for one's own spouse. In the ancient world, these were private, vital, and exclusive sources of life-sustaining water. By using 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 within the covenant of marriage. It underscores the exclusivity and preciousness of the marital bond as the ordained place for such fulfillment, contrasting it 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 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, and relational—that should be found and cultivated within a marriage. The broader context of Proverbs emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of life. 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 preventing the temptation to seek fulfillment outside of it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 5:15, with its call to exclusive satisfaction within one's own well, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the physical well provides life-sustaining water, Jesus declares Himself to be the source of "living water" that truly satisfies the deepest longings of the human soul ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "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 fulfillment, preventing us from seeking satisfaction in the "broken cisterns" of the world ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns")). Furthermore, the imagery of marital fidelity in Proverbs foreshadows the exclusive and covenantal relationship between Christ and His Church. The Church, as the Bride of Christ, is called to absolute faithfulness and devotion to Him alone, rejecting the idolatry and spiritual adultery of seeking satisfaction elsewhere ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). In Christ, we find the perfect example of unwavering love and commitment, and through Him, we are empowered by the Spirit to live out the principles of fidelity and exclusive devotion in all our relationships, mirroring His own 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.