Proverbs 15:30 kjv

The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

Proverbs 15:30 nkjv

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.

Proverbs 15:30 niv

Light in a messenger's eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

Proverbs 15:30 esv

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.

Proverbs 15:30 nlt

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health.

Proverbs 15 verses

Proverbs 15 30 Meaning

Proverbs 15:30 teaches that pleasant visual stimuli and positive communication profoundly uplift the inner spirit and promote physical well-being. A cheerful outlook and good news bring joy to the soul and vigor to the body, illustrating a deep connection between mental disposition and physical health.

Proverbs 15 30 Context

Proverbs 15 is a collection of contrasts, frequently opposing the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, in their speech, actions, and resulting lives. This chapter emphasizes the power of words, the importance of a teachable spirit, the blessings of fearing the Lord, and the value of humility. Verse 30 specifically highlights how external pleasantries and internal reception of positive news directly impact one's spirit and physical health. It falls within a section that addresses how character, especially expressed through speech and perception, determines outcomes for individuals. Historically and culturally, health and vitality ("fat bones") were seen as tangible blessings, indicative of prosperity and God's favor, while illness or emaciation were signs of distress or divine displeasure. The verse also underscores an ancient understanding of psychosomatic connections—that the state of one's inner being affects their physical condition.

Proverbs 15 30 Word analysis

• The light (אֹור, 'or): This term signifies illumination, radiance, prosperity, joy, and often a manifestation of divine blessing or truth. It's not just physical light but carries a spiritual and metaphorical weight, indicating something good and uplifting.
• of the eyes (עֵינַיִם, 'eynayim): Refers to the physical organs of sight, but metaphorically it encompasses perception, outlook, countenance, and perhaps even the brightness or cheerfulness emanating from someone's eyes, reflecting an inner state. It also relates to what one beholds or perceives.
• rejoiceth (שָׂמֵחַ, sameach): To be glad, to cheer up, to delight. It implies a deep internal feeling of happiness and contentment that resonates through the entire being.
• the heart (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is not merely an organ but the seat of intellect, will, emotion, memory, and conscience—the entire inner person. So, joy here affects one's entire core being and personality.
• and a good (טוֹב, tov): Meaning excellent, pleasant, wholesome, morally upright, beneficial. This signifies news or a report that is beneficial, encouraging, and desirable.
• report (שְׁמוּעָה, sh'mu'ah): A hearing, something heard, news, a message, a rumor. It refers to communicated information, specifically what one hears.
• maketh...fat (יְדַשֵּׁן, y'dashchen): From the root dashen, meaning to make fat, fertile, prosperous, or to enrich. It implies bringing abundance, health, and vitality. This is a vivid metaphor for nourishing and strengthening, leading to robustness.
• the bones (עֶצֶם, 'etsem): The skeleton, the structural core of the body. In ancient thought, bones were often associated with the very essence, strength, or deep health of a person. "Fat bones" (like bone marrow) represented peak health, vigor, and substance, not mere physical obesity but deep well-being and flourishing.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart": This phrase speaks of the profound impact of what we perceive visually. It could refer to a bright, cheerful look from another person, the sight of a beloved one, or beautiful and uplifting scenes. More broadly, it means that positive, visually apprehended experiences bring inner gladness. This gladness penetrates to the core of one's being (the heart). It highlights how our immediate environment and interactions impact our emotional state.
• "and a good report maketh the bones fat": This second clause parallels the first, shifting from visual perception to auditory reception. A "good report" means pleasant or encouraging news, information that brings comfort, hope, or affirmation. Such news has a deep, sustaining, and fortifying effect. "Maketh the bones fat" is an idiom for robust health, vigor, strength, and overall prosperity. It suggests that good news does not just superficially cheer someone up, but it nourishes their very essence, giving them strength and vitality at the deepest physical and spiritual levels, preventing despair and weakness often associated with lean or "dried" bones (Prov 17:22).

Proverbs 15 30 Bonus Section

The idiom "maketh the bones fat" carries significant cultural weight. In ancient Israelite thought, leanness or "dried bones" were often associated with extreme distress, poverty, and weakness, sometimes even leading to death (e.g., Ps 102:3-5). Conversely, "fatness" was a sign of prosperity, strength, and divine blessing (e.g., Deut 32:15, Isa 30:23). Thus, the verse paints a picture of comprehensive flourishing—not just happiness, but genuine strength and well-being from the core outward. This understanding applies not only to personal health but also metaphorically to the health of a community or a spirit that thrives due to positive influences. The verse advocates for a conscious pursuit of good input, both visual and auditory, as a discipline that cultivates a healthy spirit and robust life, aligning with the broader Proverbial teaching that life choices have direct consequences on one's quality of life.

Proverbs 15 30 Commentary

Proverbs 15:30 poetically articulates a profound truth about human well-being: it is holistically influenced by our sensory input and received information. The "light of the eyes" refers to what brings delight and joy through sight—be it pleasant visages, beautiful scenery, or indeed, the cheerful disposition visible in someone's eyes. Such positive visual experiences penetrate deeply, "rejoicing the heart," which represents the very core of one's inner being, emotions, and thoughts. This inner joy is crucial for flourishing.

Similarly, "a good report" – wholesome, encouraging, or glad tidings – is presented as a powerful restorative. In a world full of distressing news, the verse underscores the value of hearing messages that uplift and affirm. The powerful imagery of "maketh the bones fat" conveys more than superficial cheer. In ancient Near Eastern understanding, healthy, "fat" bones were a sign of deep vitality, robust physical health, and thriving. It means the good news invigorates one to the marrow, strengthening them against illness and despair, just as bad news or a "broken spirit" can "dry the bones" (Prov 17:22).

This verse highlights the psychosomatic connection recognized in biblical wisdom. What enters our mind through our senses and ears significantly impacts our spiritual and physical health. It teaches that actively seeking out and focusing on the good, whether through sight or sound, is vital for a vibrant life. For believers, this extends to embracing the "good news" of the Gospel, which brings ultimate joy to the heart and eternal well-being, fortifying the spirit. It's an encouragement to fill our lives with truth, hope, and kindness.

• Practical usage examples:
  • Visiting a loved one brings visible joy to an ailing relative, improving their spirits.
  • Receiving a letter about the success of a mission endeavor provides encouragement and renewal to workers.
  • Watching children play innocently can lighten one's burdened spirit.
  • Hearing testimony of God's faithfulness can reinvigorate someone experiencing doubt or discouragement.