Proverbs 5:17Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~950 BC. Solomon continues his father-son talk, emphasizing the exclusive nature of marital intimacy...
The emotion here: protective father establishing clear boundaries
The original word
zarim (זָרִים) — strangers or foreigners, those outside the covenant relationship
Why it matters
In ancient Near East, sharing water rights was a legal contract - Solomon uses this for marriage exclusivity
Read with care
What most readers miss in Proverbs 5:17
The word 'strangers' doesn't just mean random people - it means anyone who isn't your covenant partner
Common misconceptionPeople think this only applies to sexual intimacy, but Solomon is talking about emotional, intellectual, and spiritual intimacy - all the 'springs' of your inner life belong to your spouse alone.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Proverbs 5:17
Bible Genome reading
Proverbs 5:17 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Proverbs 5:17 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 deciding, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include faithfulness, marriage. Notable phrases: for yourself alone. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Proverbs 5:17 mean to you, today?
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