Proverbs 17:22 kjv

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 nkjv

A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 niv

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 esv

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 nlt

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.

Proverbs 17 verses

Proverbs 17 22 Meaning

Proverbs 17:22 declares that a heart filled with joy acts as effective medicine, promoting health and vitality. Conversely, a spirit burdened by sorrow or despair brings profound weakness and physical debilitation, akin to the drying up of one's very core. This proverb highlights the profound, divinely established connection between one's internal emotional and spiritual state and their physical well-being. It underscores that inner disposition is not merely superficial but holds tangible consequences for health.

Proverbs 17 22 Context

Proverbs chapter 17 is a collection of diverse wisdom sayings, much like other chapters in the book. It offers observations and moral lessons concerning various aspects of human character, relationships, and behavior. Common themes include the contrast between wise and foolish conduct, the value of integrity and peace over strife and dishonesty, the nature of true friendship, and the consequences of one's words and actions. Proverbs 17:22 fits well within this fabric by focusing on an internal disposition ("heart," "spirit") and its powerful, yet often overlooked, external consequences, specifically concerning one's physical and mental health. It reinforces the holistic view of humanity prevalent in the Hebrew Scriptures, where the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects are intricately interwoven. There isn't a direct polemic here against a specific false god or doctrine, but rather an affirmation of a divinely ordered reality: that the state of one's innermost being has profound, God-ordained effects on their outward vitality. It subtly challenges the idea that health is purely external or independent of one's internal spirit.

Proverbs 17 22 Word analysis

• A joyful heart (לֵב שָׂמֵחַ, lev sameach):
  • Lev (לֵב): "Heart." In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is not merely the organ of emotion but the core of a person – the seat of intellect, will, reason, and moral character. It is the control center of thoughts, decisions, and emotions.
  • Sameach (שָׂמֵחַ): "Joyful," "glad," "cheerful." This describes an abiding inner disposition, a settled state of gladness, rather than fleeting happiness based on external circumstances. It suggests a contentment rooted in wisdom and trust in God.
• is good medicine (גֵּהָה טוֹבָה, gehah tovah):
  • Gehah (גֵּהָה): "Healing," "remedy," "cure." It signifies something that brings restoration or health. The use of this word underscores the tangible, therapeutic effect of a joyful disposition.
  • Tovah (טוֹבָה): "Good," "pleasant," "beneficial." This emphasizes the positive and wholesome quality of this "medicine."
• but a crushed spirit (וְרוּחַ נְכֵאָה, ve'ruach nekhe'ah):
  • Ve'ruach (וְרוּחַ): "And a spirit." Ruach signifies "spirit," "breath," or "wind." Here, it refers to the inner life, disposition, vitality, or emotional state.
  • Nekhe'ah (נְכֵאָה): "Crushed," "broken," "dejected," "despondent." This powerful term indicates a severe spiritual or emotional devastation, a deep internal collapse, often associated with grief, despair, or depression.
• dries up the bones (תְּיַבֶּשׁ־גָּרֶם, teyabesh-garem):
  • Teyabesh (תְּיַבֶּשׁ): "Dries up," "withers," "makes dry." This metaphor implies a profound loss of vitality, strength, and nourishment, leading to physical depletion and decay.
  • Garem (גָּרֶם): "Bone," "skeletal frame," "physical structure." In Hebrew parallelism, "bones" often represent the entire body, its strength, vitality, or inner essence, including bone marrow. "Drying up the bones" suggests an extreme loss of vigor and life-force, implying profound physical emaciation, weakness, or even chronic illness stemming from an inner malady.

Words-group analysis:

• "A joyful heart is good medicine": This phrase asserts a fundamental principle: the internal state of joy and gladness acts as a powerful restorative and health-preserving agent. It highlights a psychosomatic link, where spiritual and emotional health directly impact physical well-being. This "medicine" is not external but cultivated from within.
• "but a crushed spirit dries up the bones": This presents the stark and debilitating contrast. A spirit that is broken or despairing saps life from the very physical foundation of a person. It illustrates the destructive power of negative internal states, leading to profound physical weakening, often signifying chronic illness or an absence of vitality. This vivid imagery emphasizes how despair consumes life's essence. The parallelism contrasts holistic wellness with complete physical and vital depletion, showcasing the holistic unity of body, mind, and spirit as designed by God.

Proverbs 17 22 Bonus section

This proverb implicitly speaks to the holistic nature of humanity as created by God (body, soul, spirit interconnected). True wisdom, therefore, is not merely intellectual assent but engages the heart and spirit, knowing their profound influence on life itself. The New Testament affirms that genuine, abiding joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22), and that Christ gives us peace and joy even in tribulation (Jn 16:33; Phil 4:7). This supernatural joy goes beyond mere human happiness, providing the ultimate "medicine" for the heart and spirit. While the proverb is a general observation about life, it also points to God as the ultimate source of that healing joy. It highlights that cultivating an inward posture of trust and delight in God serves as a divine balm to the entire human person, designed to flourish in His presence.

Proverbs 17 22 Commentary

Proverbs 17:22 powerfully articulates a fundamental truth about human flourishing, deeply rooted in divine wisdom: the inseparable connection between one's inner disposition and outer physical vitality. A "joyful heart" is not superficial cheerfulness but a deep-seated gladness, a fruit of wisdom and often, trust in the Lord. This inner joy, cultivated through faith and right living, acts as a genuine "medicine," promoting physical health and well-being. It implies resilience against sickness, robust energy, and a vibrant spirit.

Conversely, a "crushed spirit," marked by deep despair, grief, or despondency, becomes an insidious force that actively undermines physical strength. The imagery of bones drying up vividly conveys a profound wasting away, reflecting chronic weakness, physical deterioration, or a deep sense of vitality being leached away. This proverb is a call to recognize the immense impact of our spiritual and emotional health. It warns against dwelling in despondency and encourages seeking sources of true, God-given joy, which ultimately revitalizes both soul and body. This does not mean joy cures all illness but points to a divine design where inner peace and hope contribute significantly to overall health and resilience.

Examples:

• For physical ailments: Cultivating gratitude and prayer amidst chronic pain, instead of spiraling into despair, can aid coping and even physiological processes.
• For emotional struggles: Seeking fellowship, focusing on God's promises, and engaging in praise can mitigate the destructive impact of sadness, preventing it from consuming one's entire being.
• For daily life: Approaching challenges with an attitude of hopeful expectation and faith can buffer the stresses that would otherwise drain one's energy.