Proverbs 15:30
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
Original Language Analysis
מְֽאוֹר
The light
H3974
מְֽאוֹר
The light
Strong's:
H3974
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e., (abstractly) light (as an element); figuratively, brightness, i.e.,cheerfulness; specifically, a chandeli
עֵ֭ינַיִם
of the eyes
H5869
עֵ֭ינַיִם
of the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
2 of 8
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְשַׂמַּֽח
rejoiceth
H8055
יְשַׂמַּֽח
rejoiceth
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
3 of 8
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
לֵ֑ב
the heart
H3820
לֵ֑ב
the heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
4 of 8
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
ט֝וֹבָ֗ה
and a good
H2896
ט֝וֹבָ֗ה
and a good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
6 of 8
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
Cross References
Isaiah 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.Proverbs 25:25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.Revelation 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.Revelation 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.Psalms 89:15Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.Proverbs 13:9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.Proverbs 17:22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.Ecclesiastes 11:7Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: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.
Historical Context
Ancient life included harsh realities—famine, war, disease, oppression. Pleasant sights (children playing, harvests) and good news (victory, rain, peace) brought genuine joy affecting physical well-being. Bad news could literally sicken people. Proverbs 25:25 compares good news from far country to cold water to a thirsty soul. The gospel—good news of salvation—brings ultimate rejoicing.
Questions for Reflection
- What are you letting your eyes see and ears hear—things that gladden your heart or things that sicken it?
- How does meditating on the gospel as good news bring spiritual and even physical vitality?
- In what ways can you be a bearer of good news that makes others' bones fat rather than spreading negativity?
Analysis & Commentary
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. Me'or-eynayim yesammach-lev (מְאוֹר־עֵינַיִם יְשַׂמַּח־לֵב, the light of eyes gladdens the heart). Pleasant sights bring joy. Shemu'ah tovah tedashshen-atsem (שְׁמוּעָה טוֹבָה תְּדַשֶּׁן־עָצֶם, good news makes bones fat). Good reports bring physical vitality. The proverb observes psychosomatic reality—what we see and hear affects emotional and physical health. The gospel is the ultimate good news, bringing joy and health to spirits and ultimately bodies (Romans 8:11).