Proverbs 15 13

Proverbs 15:13 kjv

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 15:13 nkjv

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 15:13 niv

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:13 esv

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Proverbs 15:13 nlt

A glad heart makes a happy face;
a broken heart crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15 verses

Proverbs 15 13 Meaning

A joyful heart manifests itself outwardly through a cheerful facial expression, reflecting inner peace and gladness. Conversely, a heart burdened with sorrow deeply impacts the inner self, causing the spirit to be disheartened, crushed, and depleted of its vitality and resilience. The verse highlights the profound connection between one's inner emotional and spiritual state and its visible and invisible effects on the individual.

Proverbs 15 13 Context

Proverbs chapter 15 is a collection of various two-line sayings, often presenting sharp contrasts between wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, and their resulting consequences. It emphasizes the profound importance of inner character, speech, and moral choices for human flourishing. This verse, Proverbs 15:13, stands as a particular maxim illustrating the deep connection between one's inner emotional and spiritual state (the "heart" and "spirit") and its external manifestations or internal effects. It reflects ancient Israel's holistic understanding of human beings, where inner life intrinsically shapes outer demeanor and overall well-being. There's no direct polemic, but it implicitly counters any belief system that might value external conformity or ritual over genuine inner disposition, emphasizing that true well-being originates from within, rooted in one's heart condition before God.

Proverbs 15 13 Word analysis

• A joyful heart (Hebrew: lēḇ śamēaḥ – לֵב שָׂמֵחַ):
• lēḇ (heart): In biblical thought, "heart" is far more than an organ; it encompasses the totality of the inner being – emotions, will, intellect, and moral character. It's the center from which life flows. A joyful heart implies a settled, contented inner disposition, not just fleeting happiness.
• śamēaḥ (joyful, glad): This describes a deep-seated inner state of positive emotion and contentment, often associated with spiritual well-being and blessing from God.
• makes a cheerful face (Hebrew: yiṭîḇ pānîm – יְטִיב פָּנִים):
• yiṭîḇ (makes good, gladdens, brightens, improves): This verb implies causing something to become good, pleasant, or beneficial. Here, it denotes bringing cheerfulness or a pleasant appearance to the face.
• pānîm (face, countenance): The face is the most visible indicator of a person's inner state. A cheerful face implies a bright, open, and inviting expression, naturally resulting from an inner gladness. This shows an authentic link between the internal and external.
• but by sorrow of heart (Hebrew: wəḥeʿaṣṣaṯ-lēḇ – וַעֲצַבַּת-לֵב):
• wəḥeʿaṣṣaṯ (and by sorrow/grief/pain): This word signifies deep grief, affliction, or pain. It stands in direct contrast to "joyful." It’s a weightiness of emotion.
• lēḇ (heart): Again, highlighting the deep internal source of this sorrow, permeating the entire inner person.
• the spirit is crushed (Hebrew: tēkkahe hārûaḥ – תֵּכָהֶה הָרוּחַ):
• tēkkahe (is dulled, grows faint, is broken, is crushed): This verb signifies a state of being debilitated, losing strength, vibrancy, or sharp edges. It speaks of a deep internal erosion.
• hārûaḥ (the spirit, breath, inner life-force, disposition): Ruakh here refers to the inner vital force, the core energy, and the disposition of a person. A crushed spirit indicates a profound debilitation of one's resilience, vitality, and motivation, impacting not just mood but the very will to endure.
• Word-group analysis:
• "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face": This phrase establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the holistic integrity where inner wellness naturally expresses itself outwardly. It speaks to authenticity; true joy emanates, rather than being manufactured. This is a common theme in ancient wisdom, connecting internal character to external manifestation.
• "but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed": This parallel clause creates a stark contrast, demonstrating the destructive power of internal grief. It indicates that profound sorrow does not just cause a gloomy countenance; it penetrates deeper, impacting one's core vitality and inner resilience, potentially leading to despair or debilitating weakness. This is a deeper, more devastating effect than mere facial expression, showing the seriousness of internal emotional burdens. The crushing implies a loss of the very 'breath' or 'life' within, a vital dimming.

Proverbs 15 13 Bonus section

This verse subtly points to a foundational aspect of wisdom literature: the emphasis on the internal, unseen reality as more impactful than superficial appearances. While external religious observances or social standings were important in ancient cultures, Proverbs consistently redirects attention to the purity and state of the heart. The concept of "crushed spirit" can be understood in the context of the Hebrew word ruakh referring to not just emotional state but also vital breath and animating force. Thus, deep sorrow effectively "kills" or diminishes a person's life force, making them lifeless or despairing. The contrast highlights the active nature of joy (making something cheerful) versus the passive suffering of the spirit (being crushed), underscoring the severity of profound sorrow.

Proverbs 15 13 Commentary

Proverbs 15:13 succinctly captures a fundamental truth about human well-being: the internal condition of the "heart" dictates external demeanor and internal "spirit." True joy is not merely a fleeting emotion but a deep disposition of the heart that naturally illuminates the face, signaling a cheerful and well-adjusted personality. This is often the joy that stems from a right relationship with God, characterized by peace and contentment. Conversely, sorrow that afflicts the heart has a profoundly debilitating effect, crushing the "spirit"—the innermost vitality, resilience, and willpower. This demonstrates a deep psychosomatic connection, where emotional distress impacts one's overall being and energy. The verse serves as both an observation of human experience and an implicit call to cultivate a joyful heart, which often involves focusing on eternal truths and God's promises, knowing that a vibrant inner life fortifies against life's crushing adversities.