Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 5:16

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

16. Let thy fountains ] This rendering (retained in R.V. marg.) gives a good sense: purity of married life ( Pro 5:15) will diffuse itself abroad like streams from a fountain, in a numerous family, and in wholesome influences: but only by such purity can these advantages be secured ( Pro 5:17).

The rendering of R.V. text, Should thy springs &c. with a note of interrogation at the end of the verse, makes however the connection of thought in Pro 5:15-17 more clear, and is a return to the warning of the earlier verses of the chapter.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Wedded love streams forth in blessing on all around, on children and on neighbors and ill the streets, precisely because the wifes true love is given to the husband only.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Pro 5:16

Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad.

The children of marriage

Streams of children. Unlawful intercourse is often barren.

I. Children of lawful marriage are like rivers.

1. In plenty. Gods blessing goes with marriage.

2. In purity. Pure fountains bring forth pure streams.

3. In spreading abroad.

4. In profitableness.

II. Children are a great part of the comforts of marriage.

1. Because they are a part of both their parents.

2. Because they are a firm bond of love, peace, and reconciliation to both their parents.

III. Parents need not be ashamed of their children.

1. Because they come into the world Gods way, and that brings no shame with it.

2. Because there is hope that they will be good.

3. Being well-bred, they may come to preferment in the State.

4. They are likely to have honourable posterity. (Francis Taylor, B. D.)

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 16. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad] Let thy children lawfully begotten be numerous.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Thy fountains; thy children proceeding from thy wife, called thy fountain, Pro 5:18, and from thyself, as the Israelites are said to come from the fountain of Israel, Deu 33:28; Psa 68:26. Compare Isa 51:1. And fountains are here put for rivers flowing from them, as it is explained in the next clause, and as it is Psa 104:10, by a metonymy of the cause for the effect. And this title may be the more fitly given to children, because as they are rivers in respect of their parents, so when they grow up, they also become fountains to their children.

Be dispersed abroad; they shall be multiplied, and in due time appear abroad in the world to thy comfort and honour, and for the good of others; whereas whores are commonly barren, and men are ashamed to own the children of whoredom.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad,…. Or “shall abound”, as the Targum; that is, streams of water from fountains; which Aben Ezra interprets of a multitude of children, namely, that are lawfully begotten: the “fountains” are the man and his wife in lawful marriage; the streams are their offspring lawfully procreated by them; which may be said to be “dispersed abroad”, when being grown up they are disposed of in marriage in other families, and so become fountains to others, and public blessings;

[and] rivers of waters in the streets; meaning a numerous posterity as before; and such as a man is not ashamed publicly to own, whereas he is ashamed of such as are unlawfully begotten; but these are to his honour in the streets, and for public good; and particularly to those to whom they are given in marriage; see Isa 48:1. Jarchi interprets this of multiplying disciples, and of teaching them the law publicly, and of getting a name thereby; but it might be interpreted much better of spreading the doctrines of the Gospel, and of the public ministry and profession of that, for the good of others.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Pro 5:16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, [and] rivers of waters in the streets.

Ver. 16. Let thy fountains be dispersed. ] “Thy fountains,” that is, thy children. Let thine end in marrying be, that thou mayest have a numerous offspring, that may be as an infantry to the kingdom of heaven. Lawful marriage is usually blessed with many children; and the contrary. Hos 4:10 Erasmus tells of one Combe, a young woman in Euboea, that being married to one whom she liked, became mother and grandmother to a hundred children. a The same author tells of an Englishman, a cripple, that married a blind woman, lived very lovingly with her, and had by her twelve lusty boys, that had no defect or deformity. b

a Erasm. in Chiliad.

b Erasm. De Instit. Matrim.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)