Proverbs 3:8 kjv

It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Proverbs 3:8 nkjv

It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

Proverbs 3:8 niv

This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:8 esv

It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:8 nlt

Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.

Proverbs 3 verses

Proverbs 3 8 Meaning

Proverbs 3:8 signifies a profound promise of holistic well-being to those who walk in God's wisdom, trust Him completely, and depart from evil. It portrays physical vitality and inner strength as a natural outpouring of a life lived in accordance with divine principles. The imagery of "health to your navel" and "marrow to your bones" speaks to deep-seated soundness, renewal, and vigor from the core of one's being to the foundational structures of the body. It suggests that a righteous walk can lead to a healthy and flourishing life, not merely physically but spiritually and mentally.

Proverbs 3 8 Context

Proverbs 3:8 is part of a longer exhortation from a father to his son (or teacher to disciple) beginning in Proverbs 3:1. The preceding verses lay the foundation for this promise:

• Proverbs 3:1-2: Encourages keeping God's commands for "length of days, and long life and peace."
• Proverbs 3:3-4: Exhorts holding fast to "mercy and truth" and promises "favor and high esteem."
• Proverbs 3:5-6: Crucially emphasizes "trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." This forms the direct spiritual precursor to verse 8.
• Proverbs 3:7: Instructs, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil."

Verse 8, therefore, presents a consequence or blessing that follows adherence to these commands: deep, holistic physical and spiritual vitality. It is not an isolated promise but part of a divine cause-and-effect principle within the wisdom literature, linking righteousness and trust in God with flourishing and well-being. Historically, the audience would have understood well-being as encompassing physical health, security, and prosperity, directly linked to divine favor.

Proverbs 3 8 Word analysis

• It will be: The implied subject refers to the actions mentioned in the preceding verses: trusting in the LORD, departing from evil, acknowledging Him, keeping His commands, valuing mercy and truth. This introduces the promised outcome.
• health: Hebrew: marpe (מַרְפֵּא). This word signifies healing, cure, remedy, or soundness. It denotes not just the absence of disease, but restoration, rejuvenation, and thriving. It often implies a dynamic state of being made whole or well.
• to your navel: Hebrew: sharekh (שָׁרֶךְ). While literally referring to the navel, in ancient physiology and poetic language, it symbolized the core, the center of vitality, or even the source of nourishment and life itself (like the umbilical cord connection to the mother). It points to the inner, foundational well-being.
• and marrow: Hebrew: 'etsem (עֶצֶם), often referring to the bone itself, but in this context, "marrow" is understood by implication to denote the rich, life-producing substance within the bones. Bone marrow is essential for producing blood cells, thus signifying deep vitality, strength, and continuous renewal.
• to your bones: The bones represent the deep structural foundation of the body. Combining "marrow" with "bones" points to deep-seated strength, the core physical essence, and sustained vigor from the very deepest parts of one's physical being.

Words-group by words-group analysis data

• "health to your navel and marrow to your bones": This phrase employs vivid poetic parallelism and a literary device known as merism. Merism refers to describing something whole by two contrasting or significant parts (like "heaven and earth" for the entire universe). Here, "navel" (the core/center) and "bones/marrow" (the deep structure/foundation) represent the entire physical being. It communicates a holistic and profound sense of health and vitality, from the innermost essence to the very foundations of the body. It implies not just superficial well-being but deep, pervasive strength and life.

Proverbs 3 8 Bonus section

The blessings outlined in Proverbs 3, culminating in verse 8, underscore the integrated nature of humanity in biblical thought. There is no strict division between spiritual, mental, and physical well-being; they are intricately connected. A heart rightly aligned with God often translates into a more ordered and resilient physical existence. While we live in a fallen world where illness can affect anyone, this proverb articulates a principle: walking in wisdom maximizes the potential for flourishing and strength given by the Creator, reflecting His good design for human life.

Proverbs 3 8 Commentary

Proverbs 3:8 is a testament to God's desire for the well-being of those who live wisely under His guidance. It serves as a beautiful, poetic promise that adhering to divine principles, rooted in genuine trust in the LORD and turning from evil, extends its blessings beyond the spiritual and emotional realms to encompass profound physical vitality. It is not a literal guarantee against all illness, but rather a general, proverbial truth that a life aligned with God's will tends towards greater flourishing, deep-seated peace, and internal resilience that positively impacts physical health. A heart at rest in God (Prov 14:30) can prevent many anxieties that lead to physical decay, and obedience to wise living principles (like diligence and self-control) often yields positive physical outcomes.

Practical applications:

• A person who trusts God with finances avoids the stress that leads to health issues.
• Living truthfully fosters internal peace, beneficial for health, unlike the tension of deceit.
• Exercising self-control in desires contributes to physical wellness.