Proverbs 5:16

Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.

Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, (and) rivers of waters in the streets - i:e., by being faithful to thine own wife thou shalt have an overflowing offspring from thee going forth into the streets to the various honourable duties of life (). As the wife is the well, so the children are the waters from it. An abundant progeny is a special gift from God (; ). The promise here follows the precept in . The reward is the result of obedience. The negative reading rests on insufficient authority, "Let not thy fountains be dispersed." As to children "in the streets" cf. . The union of one husband to one wife tends to a numerous offspring; concubinage generally causes barrenness.