Translation commentary on Proverbs 5:16

Although the sense of the proverb in verse 15 is reasonably clear, we cannot say the same for this verse. The Hebrew text can be read as a question or as a statement of consequence, and Hebrew Old Testament Text Project accepts both as ways to understand the first line. In either case verse 16 seems to develop the thought begun in verse 15. It is also not clear whether the figures of “springs” and “streams of water” in this verse are pictures of the wife, as “cistern” and “well” are in verse 15, or whether they refer to the sexual activity of the man. Some translations understand the figures one way and some take it the other. See the comments in the final paragraph on this verse.

“Should your springs be scattered abroad”: “Springs” refers to water that comes to the surface and flows from beneath the ground. “Scattered abroad” means to be dispersed, spread away from its place of origin.

“Streams of water in the streets”: “Streams” translates a word used in Job 38.25 for channels that carry rainwater. Here it seems to mean flowing currents of water. “Streets” translates a word referring to open areas in a town, town plaza, or square. These are public gathering places. “Streams” as well as “springs” are commonly used in the Old Testament as sources of enjoyment or pleasure. In contrast with “cisterns” and “wells” that are located on the owner’s property, “streams” and “springs” are more likely to be at a distance.

Translations of this verse are of two kinds: (1) those that retain the figurative language either as statement, negative command, or rhetorical question and (2) those that seek to interpret the meaning of the figurative language. Revised Standard Version is of the first kind. Note that it keeps the figurative language and asks a rhetorical question. New English Bible/Revised English Bible use a negative command: “Do not let your well overflow into the road, your runnels of water pour into the street.” New Jewish Publication Society Version uses a statement: “Your streams will gush forth in streams in the public squares.”

Literal renderings of verses 15 and 16 may give the reader the impression that they are simply advice about conserving water. As a result it is likely that the reader will see no connection between “the wife of your youth” in verse 18 and the water images in verses 15-17. It is recommended, therefore, that a meaningful rendering should suggest in some way what the images in these verses represent, even though interpreters and translators do not all understand them alike.

If you have used nonfigurative language in verse 15, it is advisable to continue to do so, as is necessary, in verses 16-17. However, if you have used a mixture of figurative and nonfigurative language in verse 15, it may be possible to continue in verses 16 and 17 with figurative language. The only way to be sure is by testing with enough readers.

In verse 16 only Good News Translation understands “springs scattered abroad” to mean having children with other women, and “will do you no good” refers to those children as belonging to someone else’s household. Bible en français courant, which made clear in verse 15 that the cistern is “Your wife . . . pure water” is able in verse 16 to keep the figurative language and say, “Do not let its water flow in the street and be scattered in the public squares.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy retains the images, but signals through the verb “spill” that it refers to semen or male sperm, “Don’t spill the water from your spring; don’t waste it in the street.” There are some languages in which “water” is used more generally for a range of fluids, including those from the human body, and readers in some of these languages will easily see a reference to semen here. Contemporary English Version suggests sexual relations outside the marriage with “And don’t be like a stream from which just any woman may take a drink.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 5:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 5:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do not be like a well that every woman scoops water from.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Why should you let the water of your well flood the streets?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “For it might be your (sing.) wife will- also -betray you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “You (sing.) should not be like a river from-which- even any woman is-able-to -drink.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 5:16

5:16

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

16a Why should your springs flow in the streets,

16b
your streams of water in the public squares ?

There is an ellipsis in 5:16b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 5:16a. For example:

16b
⌊and why should⌋ your streams of water ⌊flow⌋ in the public squares ?

5:16a–b

Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?: There are at least four ways to interpret the parallel metaphors in this verse:

(1) The words springs and streams of water refer to the son’s sexual affections or the source of his sexual pleasure. The verse contains parallel rhetorical questions. These questions advise the man not to share his sexual affections or seek a source of sexual pleasure in the streets or public squares. In other words, he should not seek sexual pleasure outside his own home with women other than his wife. For example:

Don’t pour your water in the streets; don’t give your love to just any woman. (New Century Version)

Notice that the New Century Version translates the rhetorical questions as statements.

(2) The words springs and streams of water refer to the young man’s wife. The verse contains parallel rhetorical questions. These questions advise the man not to neglect his wife and thus cause her to be unfaithful. With this interpretation, the streets or public squares refer to other men with whom the unfaithful wife would become involved.

(3) The words springs and streams of water refer to the children that result from a marriage. The verse contains parallel positive statements. These statements promise that a faithful marriage will result in many children and other benefits to the community. With this interpretation, the streets or public squares refer to the community into which the children would be born.

(4) The words springs and streams of water refer to the children that are born outside the marriage relationship. This verse advises the young man not to produce children with an immoral woman, because such children will grow up in another man’s home and will not benefit him. With this interpretation, the streets or public squares refer to other families who would raise the illegitimate children that he fathered. For example:

Children that you have by other women will do you no good. (Good News Translation)

Most versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it best fits the context. The chapter as a whole is a warning to the man against sexual unfaithfulness. Verses 5:15 and 5:18–20 clearly advise the man to seek sexual pleasure in his wife alone. The context is not about the danger of a wife’s unfaithfulness or the benefits of children.

The metaphors occur in the form of rhetorical questions. The function of the rhetorical questions is to give advice. Other ways to translate the metaphors are:

• Keep the first metaphor, and translate the meaning of the second metaphor. For example:

Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Should your springs flow outside in the streets? Of course not! You should never sleep with a woman who is not your wife.

• Translate both metaphors as similes. Make the point of comparison explicit. For example:

You should not be like a river that flows through the marketplace. Do not be like a water source where any woman can drink.

springs…streams of water: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as springs refers to the headwaters or source of streams and rivers. It is the place where flowing water first comes out of the ground. The parallel term, streams of water, refers to channels or canals in which water is flowing. In this verse, these terms are used figuratively. Both terms refer to the son’s sexual affections.

streets…public squares: These parallel terms are used figuratively. They refer to women other than the young man’s wife.

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