Proverbs 5:15Drink water out of your own cistern, running water out of your own well.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~950 BC. Father instructing son about marriage before wedding. Wells were precious, private family resources. Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: protective tenderness toward marriage covenant
The original word
bôr (בּוֹר) — cistern, a carved-out reservoir for collecting precious rainwater
Why it matters
Cisterns were family property, jealously guarded — sharing water with strangers could mean death in drought
Read with care
What most readers miss in Proverbs 5:15
In water-scarce Israel, this imagery meant exclusive access to something life-giving and irreplaceable
Common misconceptionMany think this only prohibits adultery, but it's actually promoting active marital intimacy and satisfaction — telling husbands to find joy at home, not just avoid sin outside.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Proverbs 5:15
Bible Genome reading
Proverbs 5:15 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Proverbs 5:15 comes from the book of Proverbs, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Solomon. The dominant emotion in this verse is joyful, with a comfort power of 70% and a tone that is tender. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include marriage, faithfulness. Notable phrases: drink water; your own cistern. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same joyful
“For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, …”
— Isaiah 9:6
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:22
“"Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?"”
— 1 Corinthians 15:55
“Rejoice always.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
Your reflection
What does Proverbs 5:15 mean to you, today?
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