Scripture on Marriage – Proverbs 5:15-20

Scripture on Marriage

The most popular scriptures on marriage are in Ephesians 5 and I Corinthians 7. But, I would like to present a scripture on marriage that is often overlooked. It is in Proverbs 5:15-20.

The Meaning of Proverbs 5:15-20

Proverbs 5:15-20 is primarily dealing with the issue of monogamy. However, I do not believe that the only thought is that of physical monogamy. Solomon is also dealing with emotional monogamy when he says that husbands and wives are to “drink waters out of thine own cistern”.

The entire passage of this scripture on marriage reads as such:

“Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.” (Proverbs 5:15-18)

He goes on to say in verses 19-20:

“Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?” (Proverbs 5:19-20)

A Few Helpful Thoughts

Not only is Solomon extolling the benefits of emotional and physical monogamy, but he is also making a few other extremely valid points. These points are as follows:

1. Marriage should help to provide a superabundance of satisfaction and blessing in our lives.

This is evident as he states that marriage is a well that provides “running waters” and “rivers of waters in the streets”. (Proverbs 5:15-16)

2. Marriage, though not to be our primary source of joy, is to be one of many sources of enjoyment in our lives.

There is a reason why the Lord said in Genesis that it was not good that man should be alone. Marriage was originally designed to be a blessing rather than a source of bondage and discouragement for men and women alike.

3. Sex in Marriage is for More than Procreation

In Proverbs 5:19, Solomon exhorted the men to ravished with the love of their wives. He even goes as far as to say, “let her breasts satisfy thee at all times”.

In other words, physical intimacy or sex was not simply given for the purpose of replenishing the earth as some would state. Sex was also given to mankind for the purpose of enjoyment. Though a primitive act indeed, it is, nonetheless, a God-ordained means of enjoyment.

4. Adultery is a Mirage

The entire focus of this scripture on marriage is to show the horrible trade off between adultery and marriage. Solomon is showing us that though adultery may give some immediate pleasure, it pales in comparison to the abundance of satisfaction and joy that marriage has to offer.

In fact, in verse 19 he uses the word ravish which literally means to delight to ecstasy. The word ecstasy, according to Websters 1828 dictionary, means to be carried away with extreme delight or joy.