Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 5:18
18. Let thy fountain be blessed That is, with offspring, so much desired in the East, as they ought to be everywhere. Wife of thy youth This seems to imply and sanction early marriages, though the words may be no more than a Hebraism for thy young wife. (Comp. Proverbs 2:16.) Let thy young wife, to whom thou art fitly mated, bring thee joy by a vigorous and numerous progeny. This would not be the case if he spent his strength in unlawful gratifications with harlots. For “wife of thy... read more
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 5:15-17
EXHORTATION TO CHASTENESS AND PROPER CONJUGAL DUTIES, Proverbs 5:15-23. 15-17. Drink waters Waters often stand for posterity. Numbers 24:7. Fountains, wells, and cisterns, in the East were regarded as of great importance. Hence they were largely used metaphorically for that which is noble, desirable, and even sacred. Compare Psalms 68:26; Isaiah 43:1; Song of Solomon 4:12; Genesis 26:15-20; Jeremiah 18:14. These verses, under an allegory, contain an exhortation to restrain the sexual... read more