Proverbs 12:25 kjv

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Proverbs 12:25 nkjv

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

Proverbs 12:25 niv

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Proverbs 12:25 esv

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Proverbs 12:25 nlt

Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Proverbs 12 verses

Proverbs 12 25 Meaning

Anxiety deep within a person's inner being burdens and diminishes their spirit and energy, causing a state of profound dejection or oppression. In contrast, a well-timed, kind, and encouraging word spoken by another has the power to uplift, revive, and restore joy to that individual, effectively counteracting the negative effects of worry.

Proverbs 12 25 Context

Proverbs chapter 12 focuses on contrasting the righteous and the wicked, illustrating the tangible consequences of moral choices and behaviors. It addresses various aspects of daily life, including speech, work ethic, relationships, integrity, and humility. Verse 25 fits within a broader theme in Proverbs that highlights the immense power of words – for good or ill. The historical and cultural context underscores the importance of communal relationships and direct oral communication in ancient Israel. In this society, individual well-being was deeply intertwined with the support and interaction within one's community, making the impact of interpersonal communication profound. The verse speaks to the psychological reality of the human condition, which resonates universally regardless of time or culture, contrasting internal distress with external verbal remedy.

Proverbs 12 25 Word analysis

• Anxiety (דְאָגָה, dᵉ'agah):
  • Meaning: Worry, solicitude, dread, apprehension. It signifies a deep, inner disquietude, not a fleeting thought, but a gnawing, consuming concern.
  • Significance: Highlights the profound internal nature of distress, reaching into the very core of one's being (the heart). It's an internal burden.
  • Usage: Found only a few times in the Old Testament, suggesting its specific gravity and impact.
• in a man's heart (בְּלֶב־אִישׁ, bᵉlev-’iysh):
  • Meaning: The "heart" (לֵב, lev) in Hebrew thought is not merely the emotional center, but the seat of intellect, will, thoughts, emotions, and moral character—the entire inner self. "A man" (אִישׁ, ’iysh) refers to humanity in general.
  • Significance: Emphasizes that anxiety's grip is deep-seated, affecting the totality of one's inner person. It isn't superficial; it's a foundational issue impacting thoughts, feelings, and intentions.
• weighs him down (יַשְׁחֶנָּה, yashḥennah):
  • Meaning: Literally "causes to stoop" or "bow down." From the root שָׁחַח (shaḥah), which means to sink, stoop, humble oneself, be depressed, or cast down. It implies a physical and spiritual depression.
  • Significance: Portrays anxiety as an active, debilitating force that imposes a heavy burden, causing one to literally or figuratively "bend over" under its weight, diminishing strength and resolve.
• but a good word (וְדָבָר טוֹב, wᵉdavar tov):
  • Meaning: "Word" (דָּבָר, davar) means not just a single utterance, but a matter, a thing, a discourse. "Good" (טוֹב, tov) means pleasant, delightful, excellent, beneficial, right, wholesome. This signifies a well-chosen, edifying, and beneficial message, counsel, or statement.
  • Significance: Points to the restorative power of verbal communication. It is not just any word, but one that is inherently beneficial and uplifting in its content and intent.
• makes him glad (יְשַׂמְּחֶנָּה, yesammeḥennah):
  • Meaning: Causes joy, gladdens, makes cheerful. From the root שָׂמַח (samah), to rejoice, be joyful, be glad.
  • Significance: Direct contrast to "weighs him down." This highlights the word's ability to not just alleviate distress but actively instill cheerfulness, happiness, and lightness of spirit, providing comfort and relief.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down": This phrase details the internal, oppressive nature of worry. It paints a picture of a soul bowed under the burden of deep-seated concern. The "heart" encompasses the whole inner life, demonstrating anxiety's comprehensive effect. This isn't external pressure, but an inner corrosion.
• "but a good word makes him glad": This contrasts sharply, presenting an external, positive remedy. A "good word" serves as a therapeutic agent, showing that spoken communication, if wisely and kindly delivered, possesses remarkable power to change one's emotional state, moving from gloom to gladness. It emphasizes the active role individuals play in supporting one another.

Proverbs 12 25 Bonus section

The Hebrew parallelism in Proverbs 12:25, where the first clause describes a problem and the second offers a solution, reinforces the immediate and direct relationship between anxiety and the "good word." The verb shaḥah (weighs down) suggesting physical posture also subtly implies how inner turmoil can manifest physically, aligning with modern understanding of psychosomatic effects of stress. The davar tov (good word) often goes beyond mere positive affirmation to encompass words of counsel rooted in truth, guidance, and divine perspective, demonstrating a holistic approach to well-being that involves both acknowledging suffering and offering genuine, Spirit-led relief. This proverb implicitly highlights the power of Christian community, where believers are called to minister to one another's deepest needs through thoughtful, edifying speech (Eph 4:29, 1 Thess 5:11).

Proverbs 12 25 Commentary

Proverbs 12:25 serves as a profound psychological and spiritual insight, illuminating the debilitating power of internal distress and the redemptive impact of compassionate communication. The verse establishes anxiety as a weighty burden that presses down on a person's entire inner being, encompassing their thoughts, emotions, and will. This "weighing down" signifies not just sadness but a comprehensive oppression, diminishing one's vitality and sense of hope. However, the Proverb offers an immediate and accessible antidote: "a good word." This is more than polite conversation; it implies a timely, genuine, and beneficial utterance—words of comfort, encouragement, truth, wisdom, or hope. Such words act as a counterbalance, capable of lifting the burdened spirit, restoring joy, and providing emotional healing. This underscores the significant ethical responsibility believers have in their speech, emphasizing that our words have the capacity to inflict harm or to minister life and comfort. The verse is a practical call to empathetic and discerning communication, urging us to be sources of light and encouragement to those wrestling with inner turmoil.

Examples:

• Offering sincere words of affirmation to someone struggling with self-doubt.
• Speaking hope and biblical truth to a friend facing difficult circumstances.
• Reminding a loved one of God's faithfulness when they feel overwhelmed.