The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
Parallel translations
- WEB The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
- BSB The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
- NKJV The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.
- NASB Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news refreshes the bones.
- NLT A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A bright look and good news bring gladness and even physical well-being. It matters because encouragement and welcome reports refresh both heart and body.
Overview
The proverb observes that joyful sights and good tidings nourish the whole person, gladdening the heart and strengthening the body. It recognizes the deep connection between emotional well-being and health. Ultimately the best 'good news' is the gospel, which brings life and healing to the soul (Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Luke 2:10–19And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
- Rev 22:5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
- Prov 25:25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
- Isa 58:11And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
- Rev 21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
- Ezra 9:8And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
- Prov 17:22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
- Eccl 11:7Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
- Ps 89:15Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
- Prov 3:8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
- Prov 13:9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 15:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.