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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 5:17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/5-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/20_Pro_05_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 5:17 - Avoiding Immorality" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/5-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/5-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/5-16.htm" title="Proverbs 5:16">◄</a> Proverbs 5:17 <a href="/proverbs/5-18.htm" title="Proverbs 5:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Let them be only your own, And not for strangers with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let them be yours alone, And not for strangers with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Let them be yours alone And not for strangers with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Let them be yours alone, And not for strangers with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Let them be for you alone, And not for strangers with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />[Confine yourself to your own wife.] Let <i>your children</i> be yours alone, And not <i>the children</i> of strangers with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They should be for you alone and not for you to share with strangers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They should be for you alone and not for you to share with strangers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Let them be for thyself alone, And not for strangers with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Save yourself for your wife and don't have sex with other women. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Let them be for thyself alone, and not for strangers with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They should be yours alone, so do not share them with strangers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Your children should grow up to help you, not strangers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They should be for you alone and not for strangers who are with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let them be only thy own, and not for strangers with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Let them be to you for yourself, "" And not to strangers with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Let them be to thee for thyself, And not to strangers with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They shall be to thee alone, and not strangers with thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Keep them to thyself alone, neither let strangers be partakers with thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Hold them for yourself alone, and do not let strangers be partakers with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Let them be yours alone, not shared with outsiders; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Let them be for yourself alone, and not for sharing with strangers.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Let it be for yourself alone, let not strangers be partners with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And let them be to you alone, and let not estranged males be sexual partners with you.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Let them be only thine own, And not strangers' with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Let them be only thine own, and let no stranger partake with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/5-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=854" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/5.htm">Avoiding Immorality</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yū- (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">Let them be</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">yours</a> <a href="/hebrew/905.htm" title="905: lə·ḇad·de·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Separation, a part. ">alone,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">never</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tāḵ (Prep:: 2ms) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">to be shared</a> <a href="/hebrew/2114.htm" title="2114: lə·zā·rîm (Prep-l:: Adj-mp) -- A primitive root; to turn aside; hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically to commit adultery.">with strangers.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth:…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-2.htm">1 Corinthians 7:2-5</a></span><br />But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. / The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. / The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a></span><br />Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3-4</a></span><br />For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-33</a></span><br />Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4-6</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">1 Corinthians 6:18-20</a></span><br />Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. / Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-7.htm">1 Peter 3:7</a></span><br />Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Colossians 3:18-19</a></span><br />Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a></span><br />For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-14.htm">Malachi 2:14-16</a></span><br />Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. / Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/songs/4-12.htm">Song of Solomon 4:12</a></span><br />My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/songs/8-6.htm">Song of Solomon 8:6-7</a></span><br />Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unrelenting as Sheol. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all. / Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a></span><br />You shall not commit adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-20.htm">Leviticus 18:20</a></span><br />You must not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife and thus defile yourself with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-18.htm">Deuteronomy 5:18</a></span><br />You shall not commit adultery.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Let them be only your own, and not strangers' with you.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/148-13.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/psalms/41-9.htm">Shared</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-10.htm">Strangers</a> <a href="/psalms/104-2.htm">Thyself</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/9-12.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Shared</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-7.htm">Strangers</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-19.htm">Thyself</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-1.htm">Solomon exhorts to wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-3.htm">He shows the mischief of unfaithfulness and riot</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-15.htm">He exhorts to contentedness, generosity, and chastity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-22.htm">The wicked are overtaken with their own sins</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Let them be yours alone</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the importance of exclusivity in relationships, particularly within the context of marriage. In biblical times, marriage was a covenantal relationship, reflecting God's covenant with His people. The exclusivity here can be seen as a reflection of God's desire for a devoted relationship with His followers. The idea of "yours alone" underscores the sanctity and intimacy intended in marriage, aligning with the biblical principle of two becoming one flesh (<a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>). This exclusivity is a safeguard against the moral and spiritual dangers of infidelity, which is a recurring theme in Proverbs.<p><b>never to be shared with strangers</b><br>The term "strangers" in this context refers to those outside the covenant relationship of marriage. In ancient Israel, the community was tightly knit, and the concept of a "stranger" often implied someone outside the faith community or covenant. Sharing intimate aspects of one's life with strangers could lead to spiritual and moral compromise. This phrase warns against the dilution of the marital bond and the potential consequences of infidelity, which can lead to personal and communal discord. The warning against sharing with strangers also echoes the broader biblical theme of remaining separate from pagan practices and influences, as seen in passages like <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14-18</a>, which calls believers to be distinct from the world.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_audience.htm">The Audience</a></b><br>The primary audience of Proverbs is Solomon's son, but by extension, it includes all who seek wisdom and understanding in their lives.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_context_of_marriage.htm">The Context of Marriage</a></b><br>Proverbs 5 addresses the sanctity of marriage and the importance of fidelity, warning against the dangers of adultery.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_marriage.htm">The Sanctity of Marriage</a></b><br>Marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God, meant to be exclusive and intimate. <a href="/proverbs/5-17.htm">Proverbs 5:17</a> emphasizes the importance of keeping the marital relationship private and untainted by outside influences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_temptation.htm">Guarding Against Temptation</a></b><br>The verse serves as a warning to guard against the temptation of infidelity. It encourages believers to remain vigilant and committed to their spouses, recognizing the destructive nature of adultery.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_blessing_of_faithfulness.htm">The Blessing of Faithfulness</a></b><br>Faithfulness in marriage is not only a command but a blessing. It fosters trust, love, and a deeper connection between spouses, reflecting God's faithfulness to us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_wisdom_in_relationships.htm">The Role of Wisdom in Relationships</a></b><br>Applying wisdom in relationships, particularly in marriage, involves understanding the value of exclusivity and the dangers of sharing what is meant to be private with others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_watchman_nee_in_christianity.htm">Should you drink from your own cistern?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_generosity_affect_relationships.htm">How can you inscribe mercy and truth in your heart?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_'own_cistern'_fit_with_polygamy.htm">Proverbs 5:15-17: How does the 'drink from your own cistern' analogy reconcile with the fact that polygamy was practiced in biblical times?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/1_kings_11_4_-_why_was_solomon_swayed.htm">1 Kings 11:4 - Why would a wise ruler be so easily swayed by foreign religions despite his renowned wisdom?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Let them be only thine own.--</span>The deepest joys and sorrows of each heart are sacred, and cannot be shared with others (<a href="/proverbs/14-10.htm" title="The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy.">Proverbs 14:10</a>), and so it is with the various relations of family life also, strangers have no part in them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.</span> By confining yourself to chaste intercourse with your lawful wife, be assured that your offspring is your own. Promiscuous and unlawful intercourse throws doubt upon the paternity of children. Thy children may be thine, they may belong to another. The natural pride which is felt in a legitimate offspring is the motive put forward to commend the husband to confine himself exclusively to his wife. Grotius on this verse remarks, "Ibi sere ubi prolem metas" - "Sow there where you may reap an offspring." <span class="accented">Them</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the children referred to figuratively in the preceding verse, from which the subject of this verse is supplied. The repetition of the pronoun which occurs in the original, "let them belong to thee, to thee," is emphatic, and exclusive of others. The latter clause of the verse, "and not strangers' with thee," covers the whole ground. The idea of their being strangers' is repulsive, and so gives further point to the exhortation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/5-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Let them be</span><br /><span class="heb">יִֽהְיוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(yih·yū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yours</span><br /><span class="heb">לְךָ֥</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">alone,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבַדֶּ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇad·de·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_905.htm">Strong's 905: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">never</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֖ין</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to be shared</span><br /><span class="heb">אִתָּֽךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’it·tāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with strangers.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְזָרִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(lə·zā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2114.htm">Strong's 2114: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside, to be a, foreigner, strange, profane, to commit adultery</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/5-17.htm">Proverbs 5:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/5-17.htm">Proverbs 5:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/5-17.htm">Proverbs 5:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/5-17.htm">Proverbs 5:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/5-17.htm">Proverbs 5:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/5-17.htm">Proverbs 5:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/5-17.htm">Proverbs 5:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/5-17.htm">Proverbs 5:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/5-17.htm">Proverbs 5:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/5-17.htm">Proverbs 5:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/5-17.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 5:17 Let them be for yourself alone not (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/5-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 5:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 5:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/5-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 5:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 5:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>