Proverbs 17:22
Proverbs 17:22 in Multiple Translations
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry.
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones.
A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
Being cheerful is like swallowing good medicine; being discouraged/gloomy all the time will ◄drain away your energy/cause you to become weak► [MTY].
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 17:22
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 17:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לֵ֣ב
שָׂ֭מֵחַ
יֵיטִ֣ב
גֵּהָ֑ה
וְ/ר֥וּחַ
נְ֝כֵאָ֗ה
תְּיַבֶּשׁ
גָּֽרֶם
לֵ֣ב
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms
שָׂ֭מֵחַ
sâmêach
H8056
glad
Adj
יֵיטִ֣ב
yâṭab
H3190
be good
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
גֵּהָ֑ה
gêhâh
H1456
cure
N-fs
וְ/ר֥וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
Conj | N-cs
נְ֝כֵאָ֗ה
nâkêʼ
H5218
stricken
Adj
תְּיַבֶּשׁ
yâbêsh
H3001
to wither
V-Piel-Imperf-3fs
גָּֽרֶם
gerem
H1634
bone
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 17:22
לֵ֣ב
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
שָׂ֭מֵחַ
sâmêach
H8056
"glad"
Adj
This word describes someone who is joyful or glad, like the Psalmist in Psalm 100:1, who invites all to rejoice and be glad in the Lord.
Definition: 1) joyful, merry, glad 1a) joyful, showing joy 1b) you who rejoice (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: (be) glad, joyful, (making) merry((-hearted), -ily), rejoice(-ing). See also: Deuteronomy 16:15; Esther 5:14; Psalms 35:26.
יֵיטִ֣ב
yâṭab
H3190
"be good"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To be good means to be pleasing or joyful, making something or someone sound, beautiful, or happy. It is used in various forms, including being glad, doing well, or being content. It appears in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be glad, be joyful 1a2) to be well placed 1a3) to be well for, be well with, go well with 1a4) to be pleasing, be pleasing to 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make glad, rejoice 1b2) to do good to, deal well with 1b3) to do well, do thoroughly 1b4) to make a thing good or right or beautiful 1b5) to do well, do right
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen). See also: Genesis 4:7; 2 Samuel 3:36; Psalms 33:3.
גֵּהָ֑ה
gêhâh
H1456
"cure"
N-fs
This word refers to a cure or healing, like a medicine that makes someone better. It is used to describe a remedy or treatment for an illness. The KJV translates it as medicine.
Definition: a cure, a healing
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: medicine. See also: Proverbs 17:22.
וְ/ר֥וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
Conj | N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
נְ֝כֵאָ֗ה
nâkêʼ
H5218
"stricken"
Adj
This word describes being stricken or afflicted, often in a figurative sense. It's used to describe emotional or spiritual pain, like being broken or wounded.
Definition: stricken Another spelling of na.khe (נָכֵא "stricken" H5218B)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: broken, stricken, wounded. See also: Proverbs 15:13; Proverbs 18:14; Proverbs 17:22.
תְּיַבֶּשׁ
yâbêsh
H3001
"to wither"
V-Piel-Imperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to wither or dry up, like a plant without water. It can also mean to be ashamed or disappointed. The Bible uses it to describe things that have lost their freshness or vitality.
Definition: 1) to make dry, wither, be dry, become dry, be dried up, be withered 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be dry, be dried up, be without moisture 1a2) to be dried up 1b) (Piel) to make dry, dry up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to dry up, make dry 1c1a) to dry up (water) 1c1b) to make dry, wither 1c1c) to exhibit dryness
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: be ashamed, clean, be confounded, (make) dry (up), (do) shame(-fully), [idiom] utterly, wither (away). See also: Genesis 8:7; Jeremiah 6:15; Psalms 22:16.
גָּֽרֶם
gerem
H1634
"bone"
N-ms
A bone is the literal meaning of this word, but it can also be used figuratively to refer to one's self or inner strength. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) bone, strength, bare?, self? 1a) bone 1b) strength, strong-boned 1c) self?, bare? (of stairs) Aramaic equivalent: ge.rem (גְּרַם "bone" H1635)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: bone, strong, top. See also: Genesis 49:14; Job 40:18; Proverbs 17:22.
Study Notes — Proverbs 17:22
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 17:22 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 17:22
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 17:22
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 17:22
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 17:22
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 17:22
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 17:22
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 17:22
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 17:22
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 17:22
- Sermons on Proverbs 17:22
Context — Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
20The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
21A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.
22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice. 24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 15:13 | A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. |
| 2 | Proverbs 12:25 | Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up. |
| 3 | Proverbs 18:14 | The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? |
| 4 | 2 Corinthians 7:10 | Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. |
| 5 | Romans 5:2–5 | through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. |
| 6 | Ecclesiastes 9:7–9 | Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works: Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head. Enjoy life with your beloved wife all the days of the fleeting life that God has given you under the sun—all your fleeting days. For this is your portion in life and in your labor under the sun. |
| 7 | 2 Corinthians 2:7 | So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. |
| 8 | Psalms 102:3–5 | For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread. Through my loud groaning my flesh clings to my bones. |
| 9 | Psalms 22:15 | My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death. |
| 10 | Psalms 32:3–4 | When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat. Selah |
Proverbs 17:22 Summary
This verse teaches us that having a joyful heart is good for our overall well-being, while a broken spirit can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. Having a joyful heart doesn't mean we're always happy, but it means we trust in God's love and care for us, even in tough times (Psalm 23:4, Romans 8:28). We can cultivate a joyful heart by focusing on God's promises and being thankful for what we have (1 Thessalonians 5:18). By trusting in God's goodness, we can experience joy and peace, even in the midst of challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have a 'joyful heart' in Proverbs 17:22?
Having a joyful heart means to have a positive and optimistic outlook on life, trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 16:11 and Jeremiah 29:11.
How can a 'broken spirit' affect our physical health?
A broken spirit can lead to emotional and mental distress, which can have physical consequences, such as fatigue, weakness, and illness, as mentioned in Proverbs 17:22 and supported by Psalm 38:3-8.
Is it possible to have a joyful heart despite difficult circumstances?
Yes, it is possible to have a joyful heart despite difficult circumstances, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Paul, who wrote in Philippians 4:4-7 about rejoicing in the Lord despite his struggles.
How can we cultivate a joyful heart in our daily lives?
We can cultivate a joyful heart by focusing on God's love and promises, practicing gratitude, and trusting in His goodness, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Psalm 100:4-5.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things that bring joy to my heart, and how can I prioritize them in my life?
- How do I respond to difficult circumstances, and what can I do to maintain a joyful heart in those times?
- What are some ways I can trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when I don't understand what's happening in my life?
- How can I use my experiences, both joyful and difficult, to encourage and support others, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doth good [like] a medicine,.... Does the body good, makes it healthful and vigorous.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. A merry heart doeth good (like) a medicine - or else, 'make good (i:e., effectual) medicine;' cf. margin: so Mercer.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart; cheerfulness of soul, especially that which is solid, and ariseth from the witness of a good conscience. Doeth good, even to the body; it contributes very much to the restoration or preservation of bodily health and rigour, as physicians observe, and experience showeth. Broken; sad and dejected. Drieth the bones; wasteth the marrow of the bones, and the moisture and strength of the body.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 17:22
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.Ver. 22. A merry heart doeth good, like a medicine.] Eυεκτεινποιει: so the Septuagint renders it. And, indeed, it is ευθυμια~ that makes ευεξια. All true mirth is from rectitude of the mind, from a right frame of soul. When faith hath once healed the conscience, and grace hath hushed the affections, and composed all within, so that there is a Sabbath of spirit, and a blessed tranquillity lodged in the soul; then the body also is vigorous and vigetous, for the most part in very good plight and healthful constitution, which makes man’ s life very comfortable. For, si vales, bene est. If you are well it is good. And λωστονυγιαινειν. "Go thy ways," saith Solomon to him that hath a good conscience, "eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart, since God accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white, and let thy head lack no ointment.
Live joyfully with the wife of thy youth," &c., be lightsome in thy clothes, merry at thy meats, painful in thy calling, &c., these do notably conduce to and help on health. They that in the use of lawful means "wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." But a broken spirit drieth the bones.] By drinking up the marrow and radical moisture. See this in David, whose "bones waxed old," whose "moisture," or chief sap, "was turned into the drought of summer"; his "heart was smitten and withered like grass; his days consumed like smoke"; his whole body was "like a bottle in the smoke"; he was a very bag of bones, and those also "burnt as a hearth." Aristotle, in his book of long and short life, assigns grief for a chief cause of death. And the apostle saith as much in 2 Corinthians 7:10. All immoderations, saith Hippocrates, are great enemies to health.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 17:22
(22) A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.—Or rather, Makes good a recovery., (For the duty of religious gladness, in gratitude for the love of God towards us, comp. Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 17:22
Verse 22. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine] Instead of גהה gehah, a medicine, it appears that the Chaldee and Syriac had read in their copies גוה gevah, the body, as they translate in this way. This makes the apposition here more complete: "A merry heart doeth good to the body; but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Nothing has such a direct tendency to ruin health and waste out life as grief, anxiety, fretfulness, bad tempers, &c. All these work death.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 17:22
22. doeth good like a medicine] Rather, is a good medicine, R.V. “Heb. causeth good healing,” R.V. marg.; giveth a happy healing, Gesen.; εὐεκτεῖνποιεῖ, LXX.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 17:22
Doeth good like a medicine - Better, worketh a good healing. Omit “like.”
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 17:22
22. A merry heart doeth good… medicine — Makes a good medicine — “a happy cure.” — Gesenius. Broken spirit — A heart so smitten as to be devoid of gladness drieth the bones.
Sermons on Proverbs 17:22
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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What the Christian Can Loose by Jack Hyles | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that the answer to all of our problems, including pollution, morals, narcotics, and more, is the gospel of Jesus Christ. He calls for a gene |
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Building a Godly Home (Tamil) by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of building strong, godly homes as the foundation for a healthy church. It highlights the need for husbands and wives to have a good relations |
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Surviving Pitfalls by George Verwer | In this video, the speaker shares about his transformative trip to India, which changed the course of his life and the ministry of OM. He emphasizes the importance of being strong |
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Strengthening Your Weakest Link by Gary Wilkerson | Gary Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of addressing the weakest links in our lives and ministries, sharing five practical elements that can lead to a sustainable and joyful mini |
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A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the healing power of joy in his sermon 'A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine.' He cites King Solomon's wisdom, asserting that a merry heart acts as a re |
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Wholesome or Unwholesome Living by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes the contrast between wholesome and unwholesome living, illustrating how wholesome individuals positively influence their surroundings with cheerfulness, love |
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William Guthrie by Alexander Whyte | Alexander Whyte preaches about the life of William Guthrie, a great humorist, sportsman, preacher, and writer, who found solace in humor and sports to alleviate his melancholy. Des |