Proverbs 5:15 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 5:15 mean?

Proverbs 5:15 urges the reader to be satisfied with what belongs to them, using the image of drinking water from their own cistern and well. The verse is a call to faithfulness and contentment, especially in the context of marriage and relationships.

In Proverbs 5, a father is warning his son about the dangers of unfaithfulness and the allure of forbidden relationships. The imagery of water from one’s own cistern and well is a poetic way of saying that a person should seek fulfillment and intimacy within their own marriage, not outside it. This verse sets up a contrast between the safety and satisfaction of what is rightfully one’s own and the risks of seeking pleasure elsewhere.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 5:15

• "Drink" (שָׁתָה, shatah): This word means to drink, but here it is used figuratively for enjoying what is rightfully yours. The image is not just about quenching thirst, but about satisfaction and rightful enjoyment.
• "Cistern" (בּוֹר, bor): A cistern is a storage tank for water, often dug into the ground. In ancient Israel, water was precious, so a personal cistern symbolized something valuable and private—here, it stands for one’s own marriage.
• "Well" (בְּאֵר, be’er): A well is a source of fresh, running water. The use of both "cistern" and "well" emphasizes both stored and flowing water, suggesting both stability and ongoing refreshment in one’s own relationship.

Why Proverbs 5:15 matters

• Proverbs 5:15 clears up the idea that the verse is about literal water; the context shows it is a metaphor for faithfulness in marriage.
• The verse emphasizes the value and satisfaction found in what is rightfully yours, rather than seeking excitement or fulfillment elsewhere.
• This verse connects to the wider passage’s warning against adultery, highlighting the wisdom of cherishing and investing in one’s own relationships.