Proverbs 5:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Let thy fountains {H4599} be dispersed {H6327} abroad {H2351}, and rivers {H6388} of waters {H4325} in the streets {H7339}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let what your springs produce be dispersed outside, streams of water flowing in the streets;

Berean Standard Bible

Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

American Standard Version

Should thy springs be dispersed abroad, And streams of water in the streets?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 5:16, positioned within a father's urgent warning against sexual immorality, employs vivid hydraulic metaphors to underscore the destructive consequences of infidelity. Far from an endorsement of promiscuity, this verse is best interpreted as a rhetorical question or a stark warning: if one's intimate life, symbolized by "fountains" and "rivers of waters," is "dispersed abroad" and "in the streets," it signifies the public shame, loss of control, and defilement that inevitably follow the abandonment of marital fidelity. It highlights the public exposure and spiritual barrenness resulting from a life lived outside the bounds of God-ordained intimacy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 5 is a direct admonition from a father to his son, warning him against the seductive allure and devastating consequences of the "strange woman" or adulteress. The chapter begins with an appeal to heed wisdom's instruction ([Proverbs 5:1-2](/proverbs/5-1 "Proverbs 5:1-2 - Listen to Wisdom's Call")), contrasting the momentary pleasure of illicit sex with its bitter end ([Proverbs 5:3-5](/proverbs/5-3 "Proverbs 5:3-5 - The Bitter End of Folly")). Verses 15-20 pivot to positive instruction, using the metaphor of water sources to advocate for marital exclusivity. [Proverbs 5:15](/proverbs/5-15 "Proverbs 5:15 - Drink from Your Own Well") explicitly commands, "Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well." In this light, [Proverbs 5:16](/proverbs/5-16 "Proverbs 5:16 - The Consequences of Dispersed Fountains") functions as a rhetorical question or a dire warning, illustrating what happens when the counsel of [Proverbs 5:15](/proverbs/5-15 "Proverbs 5:15 - Drink from Your Own Well") is ignored, leading to the public dispersal of what should be privately cherished.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, family lineage, reputation, and the sanctity of marriage were paramount. Water sources—cisterns, wells, and fountains—were vital for survival, representing life, sustenance, and prosperity. A private, guarded water source was a sign of security and exclusivity, while public, uncontrolled water could be polluted or shared by many, losing its purity and value. The "streets" (Hebrew: _rᵉchôb_) refer to public squares or wide thoroughfares, places of commerce, public gathering, and open exposure. To have one's "fountains" or "rivers" in such public spaces would signify a loss of privacy, control, and honor, leading to public shame and the defilement of one's family name and legacy. This cultural understanding amplifies the warning against sexual promiscuity, which would bring disgrace upon the individual and their household.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Proverbs and the wisdom literature. It directly addresses **Marital Exclusivity and Fidelity**, asserting that the intimate relationship within marriage is a sacred and private covenant, not to be shared or defiled. It highlights the severe **Consequences of Immorality**, particularly sexual sin, which leads to public shame, loss of legacy, and spiritual barrenness, contrasting sharply with the blessing of faithfulness articulated in [Proverbs 5:18](/proverbs/5-18 "Proverbs 5:18 - Blessed Fountain and Wife of Youth"). Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Wisdom vs. Folly**, presenting the choice between guarding one's intimacy within marriage (wisdom) and allowing it to be "dispersed" (folly), with starkly different outcomes for reputation and well-being.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fountains (Hebrew, _maʻyân'_):** Derived from a root meaning "eye" (as a spring), this term refers to a natural spring or well, a source of fresh, flowing water. Figuratively, it represents a source of satisfaction, life, and offspring. In the context of Proverbs 5, it is a profound metaphor for one's spouse, the exclusive source of intimate satisfaction and legitimate progeny within marriage, as reinforced by [Proverbs 5:18](/proverbs/5-18 "Proverbs 5:18 - Let Thy Fountain Be Blessed").
* **dispersed (Hebrew, _pûwts'_):** This primitive root means "to dash in pieces," "to break," or "to scatter abroad." It conveys a sense of violent fragmentation, loss of control, and widespread scattering. When applied to "fountains," it implies that the precious, life-giving source is no longer contained or controlled, but rather broken open and spread indiscriminately, losing its purity and purpose.
* **streets (Hebrew, _rᵉchôb'_):** This word denotes a wide place, an avenue, or a public square. It signifies an open, public area, distinct from the private, enclosed space of a home or garden. To have one's "rivers of waters" in the "streets" vividly portrays the public exposure, defilement, and shame that result from sexual immorality, bringing what should be private and sacred into the common, accessible domain.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad,"**: This clause, often interpreted as a rhetorical question ("Should your fountains be dispersed abroad?") or a warning ("If your fountains are dispersed abroad..."), metaphorically speaks to the loss of exclusivity and control over one's intimate life. "Fountains" represent the spouse and the marital relationship as the exclusive source of sexual intimacy and the origin of one's legitimate lineage. "Dispersed abroad" signifies the scattering, defilement, and public exposure of what should be private and consecrated within marriage, leading to a loss of honor and integrity.
* **"and rivers of waters in the streets."**: This parallel clause reinforces the imagery of public defilement and loss of control. "Rivers of waters" continue the metaphor of vital life-giving intimacy and progeny. Placing these "in the streets" (public thoroughfares) emphasizes the shame and dishonor that result from infidelity. It implies that the life-giving potential and intimate satisfaction meant for one's spouse are instead squandered on public, illicit encounters, leading to widespread knowledge of one's transgression and the erosion of one's reputation and legacy.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 5:16 is rich in **Metaphor** and **Imagery**, using the familiar concept of water sources to represent deeply personal and sacred aspects of life. "Fountains" and "rivers of waters" serve as powerful metaphors for one's spouse, the marital relationship, and the legitimate offspring produced within that union. The imagery of these vital sources being "dispersed abroad" and "in the streets" creates a vivid picture of public shame, defilement, and the loss of control over one's intimate life and family legacy. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, where the second clause ("and rivers of waters in the streets") echoes and intensifies the meaning of the first ("Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad"), reinforcing the destructive consequences of infidelity through synonymous yet distinct imagery. While presented as a statement, its placement within a strong warning often implies a **Rhetorical Question**, challenging the listener to consider the absurdity and devastation of such an outcome.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 5:16 stands as a stark theological warning against the desecration of God's design for human sexuality and marriage. It underscores the divine mandate for marital exclusivity, viewing the marital bed as a sacred space where intimacy is to be exclusively shared and preserved. The "dispersal" of one's "fountains" into the "streets" is a powerful image of the public consequences of private sin—not merely social embarrassment, but a spiritual defilement that impacts one's legacy and relationship with God. This aligns with a broader biblical theology that views sexual purity as integral to covenant faithfulness and personal holiness, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that sexual sin is uniquely a sin against one's own body and against God's design.

* [Proverbs 5:15](/proverbs/5-15 "Proverbs 5:15 - Drink from Your Own Cistern"): Directly preceding this verse, it commands fidelity, setting the positive standard against which verse 16 warns of deviation.
* [Proverbs 5:18](/proverbs/5-18 "Proverbs 5:18 - Let Your Fountain Be Blessed"): Reaffirms the blessing and joy found in a faithful marital relationship, contrasting with the curse implied by the "dispersed" fountain.
* [Song of Solomon 4:12](/song_of_solomon/4-12 "Song of Solomon 4:12 - A Garden Enclosed, A Fountain Sealed"): Uses the imagery of a "garden enclosed" and "fountain sealed" to beautifully depict the exclusivity and purity of marital love, providing a positive counterpart to Proverbs 5:16's warning.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 5:16 serves as a timeless and urgent call to guard the sanctity of marriage and personal sexual purity in a world that often trivializes or distorts God's design for intimacy. It compels us to recognize that our choices regarding sexuality have profound, far-reaching consequences, not only for ourselves but also for our families, our reputation, and our spiritual well-being. The "dispersal" of our "fountains" into the "streets" vividly illustrates how private sin can lead to public shame, loss of control, and the defilement of what God intended to be a source of life and blessing. Therefore, we are called to cultivate deep satisfaction and joy within the covenant of marriage, cherishing our spouse as the exclusive source of intimate fulfillment, and to flee from all forms of sexual immorality. This verse reminds us that true wisdom involves making choices that honor God, preserve our integrity, and protect the sacred boundaries He has established for our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "fountains dispersed abroad" challenge modern perspectives on sexual freedom and privacy?**
* **In what ways might a lack of sexual integrity "disperse" one's reputation or legacy in today's society?**
* **What practical steps can individuals and couples take to "guard their fountain" and ensure marital exclusivity in a world full of temptations?**
* **How does understanding the public shame associated with "rivers of waters in the streets" motivate us towards greater purity and integrity?**

### FAQ
**Is Proverbs 5:16 advocating for sharing one's intimate life broadly?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Interpreted in its immediate literary context, [Proverbs 5:16](/proverbs/5-16 "Proverbs 5:16 - The Consequences of Dispersed Fountains") is a rhetorical question or a dire warning, not a command or endorsement. It follows directly after [Proverbs 5:15](/proverbs/5-15 "Proverbs 5:15 - Drink from Your Own Well"), which explicitly instructs the son to "Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well," a clear call for marital exclusivity. Therefore, [Proverbs 5:16](/proverbs/5-16 "Proverbs 5:16 - The Consequences of Dispersed Fountains") describes the negative outcome—the public shame and loss of control—that results from *failing* to heed the call to fidelity, rather than encouraging promiscuity. The imagery of "fountains dispersed abroad" and "rivers of waters in the streets" vividly portrays the public disgrace and defilement that accompany sexual immorality.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 5:16, with its stark warning against the "dispersal" of one's life-giving "fountains" into the "streets," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. First, Jesus Himself is the ultimate "fountain of living waters" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water"); [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")), offering spiritual satisfaction that contrasts sharply with the fleeting and ultimately destructive pleasures of illicit intimacy. Unlike the defiled "rivers in the streets" that bring shame, the water Christ offers leads to eternal life and purity. Second, the New Testament elevates marriage to a sacred institution, a profound mystery reflecting Christ's relationship with the Church ([Ephesians 5:25-32](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-32 - Christ and the Church as Bride and Groom")). Just as Christ gave Himself exclusively for His bride, the Church, believers are called to exclusive fidelity within marriage, guarding their intimacy as a sacred trust. The warning against "dispersed fountains" foreshadows the New Covenant's call to purity, where believers are exhorted to flee sexual immorality because their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:18-20](/1_corinthians/6-18 "1 Corinthians 6:18-20 - Flee Sexual Immorality")). Ultimately, the shame and defilement depicted in Proverbs 5:16 are overcome by Christ's atoning sacrifice, which cleanses us from all sin and offers a new life of purity and honor, transforming our defiled "streets" into paths of righteousness ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life")).

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

Psalms 128:3

Thy wife [shall be] as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Psalms 127:3

Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.

Genesis 24:60

And 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.

Psalms 68:26

Bless ye God in the congregations, [even] the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.

Isaiah 48:21

And 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.

Judges 12:9

And 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.

Deuteronomy 33:28

Israel 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.