A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
Parallel translations
- WEB The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
- KJV The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
- 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.
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 2:10–19The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
- Rev 22:5There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.
- Prov 25:25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
- Isa 58:11and Yahweh will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in dry places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters don’t fail.
- Rev 21:23The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
- Ezra 9:8Now for a little moment grace has been shown from Yahweh 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 revived us a little in our bondage.
- Prov 17:22A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
- Eccl 11:7Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the sun.
- Ps 89:15Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. They walk in the light of your presence, Yahweh.
- Prov 3:8It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.
- Prov 13:9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed 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.