Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 15:30
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.
30. The light of the eyes ] This is sometimes understood to mean the beaming eyes of kindly regard with which others look upon us (comp. the phrase “the light of the countenance,” Psa 4:6 [Hebrews 7 ]; Pro 16:15). “We all want to see that light in the eyes of our friends, which rejoices the heart,” Horton. Occurring, however, in a proverb, the phrase may well have a wider meaning: whatever gives light acts as a luminary (the Heb. word is rather light-bearer, , comp. Gen 1:14-16, than light, ) to the eyes, casting light and brightness upon them, extends through them its influence to the heart; just as, in the following clause, whatever charms the ear (lit. good hearing), be it “good tidings,” R.V., or the pleasant voice of a friend, or the tender accents of affection, or the sweet strains of music, refreshes and invigorates the whole bodily frame. By the gateway of the eye and of the ear alike the citadel of the heart may be reached for good.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The light of the eyes – The brightness which shines in the eyes of one whose heart and face are alike full of joy. Such a look acts with a healing and quickening power. Compare Pro 16:15.
A good report – i. e., Good news.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart] Nature and art are continually placing before our view a multitude of the most resplendent images, each of which is calculated to give pleasure. The man who has a correct judgment, and an accurate eye, may not only amuse, but instruct himself endlessly, by the beauties of nature and art.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; the light which we see with our eyes, and by the help of which we see many other pleasant objects, is a great comfort and refreshment. Compare Ecc 11:7, Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun; which is a good comment upon this place.
A good report; either,
1. Glad tidings. Or rather,
2. A good name, which is a more lasting thing, and makes deeper impression.
Maketh the bones fat; not only cheereth a man for the present, but gives him such solid and stable comfort as doth both revive his soul, and give health and rigour to his body. So he compares two senses together, seeing and hearing, with respect to their several objects, and prefers the latter before the former.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
30. light of the eyes (Pr13:9). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving fromanxiety as to our course; so
good reportor,”doctrine” (Isa 28:9;Isa 53:1),
maketh . . . fator,”gives prosperity” (Pro 3:13-17;Pro 9:11). The last clause isillustrated by the first.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart,…. Not so much the visive power, the faculty of seeing, a strong and clear eyesight; though this is a great mercy, and from the Lord, and to be prized, and does give joy of heart; but rather the objects seen by the light of the eyes, as Jarchi; as green gardens, flowing rivers, pleasant meadows, rising hills, lowly vales, herbs, plants, trees, birds, beasts, and creatures of every kind; nor is the eye ever satisfied with seeing; especially light itself beheld rejoiceth the heart, and particularly that grand luminary and fountain of light, the sun. “Light is sweet”, says the wise man, Ec 11:7, “and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun”, which is a proper comment on this text: and much more pleasant and delightful, cheering and rejoicing, must be the spiritual light of the eyes of the understanding, when opened by the Spirit of God at conversion; it is marvellous light souls are then called into, and wonderful things do they then behold, which rejoice their hearts; as Christ the sun of righteousness himself, the light of the world, the glories of his person and office, the fulness of grace that is in him, pardon of sin by his blood, justification by his righteousness, and free and full salvation through him for the worst and chief of sinners: in the light which is thrown into them they see light; the light of God’s countenance, his face and favour, which put gladness into them; the light of the divine word, and the precious truths of it; yea, the light, joy, and happiness of the world to come, in the hope of which their hearts rejoice. Jarchi mystically interprets this of the light of the eyes in the law; but it is much better to understand it of the light of the eyes in the Gospel, and the mysteries of it;
[and] a good report maketh the bones fat; or “a good hearing” w; not the sense of hearing, or a quick exercise of that, though a very great blessing; but things heard. Some understand this of a good or “fame” x, which is sometimes the sense of the phrase; either a good report which a man hears of himself, which makes his spirit cheerful; and this affects his body and the juices of it, which fill his bones with marrow, and cover them with fatness; or which he hears of his friends, and is pleasing to him, as it was to the Apostle John that Demetrius had a good report of all men, 3Jo 1:12. But rather this is to be understood of the good news, or good hearing, from a far country, as the same phrase is rendered in Pr 25:25; and here in the Arabic version is so translated, even the Gospel, which is a report; see
Isa 53:1; a report concerning God, the perfections of his nature, the purposes of his heart, the covenant of his grace, his love, grace, and mercy towards men in Christ Jesus; a “report” concerning Christ, concerning his person and offices, concerning his incarnation, obedience, sufferings, and death; concerning his resurrection, ascension, sitting at the right hand of God, intercession for his people, and second coming to judgment; and concerning salvation, peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life by him; a report concerning the good land, the heavenly Canaan, and the glories of it, the way unto it, and the persons that shall possess it: and this is a “good” report; it is good tidings of good things, a report of good things laid up in covenant, which are come by Christ the great High Priest, which saints are interested in, and shall partake of here and hereafter; it is a true report, and to be believed, since it is made by God himself, by Jesus Christ the faithful witness, and by the apostles of Christ, who were eye and ear witnesses of the things they reported; and such a report being heard, received, and embraced, greatly contributes to the spiritual health and prosperity of the children of God, it makes them fat and flourishing; such pleasant words are as the honeycomb, sweet to the soul, make glad the heart, and are marrow and health to the bones; see Pr 3:8.
w “auditus bona”, Vatablus; “auditio bona”, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius. x “Fama bona”, V. L. Tigurine version, Pagninus, Mercerus, Gejerus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Two proverbs regarding the eye and the ear:
30 The light of the eye rejoiceth the heart,
And a good message maketh the bones fat.
Hitzig corrects also here: , that which is seen with the eyes, viz., after long desire; and certainly can mean not only that which the eyes see (Isa 11:3), but also this, that the eyes do see. But is it true what Hitzig says in justification of his correction, that never means light, or ray, or brightness, but lamp ( )? It is true, indeed, that cannot mean a cheerful sight (Luther) in an objective sense (lxx ), as a verdant garden or a stream flowing through a landscape (Rashi), for that would be , and “brightness which the eyes see” (Bertheau); the genitive connection certainly does not mean: the is not the light from without presenting itself to the eyes, but, like (Psa 38:11) and similar expressions, the light of the eye itself [bright or joyous eyes]. But does not mean alone the body of light, but also the illumination, Exo 35:14 and elsewhere, not only that which ( , ) gives light, but also this, that ( ) light arises and is present, so that we might translate it here as at Psa 90:8, either the brightness, or that which gives light. But the clear brightness of one’s own eye cannot be meant, for then that were as much as to say that it is the effect, not that it is the cause, of a happy heart, but the brightness of the eyes of others that meet us. That this gladdens the heart of him who has a sight of it is evident, without any interchanging relation of the joy-beaming countenance, for it is indeed heart-gladdening to a man, to whom selfishness has not made the impossible, to see a countenance right joyful in truth. But in connection with Pro 16:15, it lies nearer to think on a love-beaming countenance, a countenance on which joyful love to us mirrors itself, and which reflects itself in our heart, communicating this sense of gladness. The ancient Jewish interpreters understand of the enlightening of the eye of the mind, according to which Euchel translates: “clear intelligence;” but Rashi has remarked that that is not the explanation of the words, but the Midrash. That, in line second of this synonymous distich, does not mean alloquium humanum (Fl.), nor a good report which one hears of himself, but a good message, is confirmed by Pro 25:25; as neut. part. pass. may mean that which is heard, but the comparison of , , stamps it as an abstract formation like , ( ), according to which the lxx translates it by (in this passage by ). Regarding , richly to satisfy, or to refresh, a favourite expression in the Mishle, vid., at Pro 11:25; Pro 13:4.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
Two things are here pronounced pleasant:– 1. It is pleasant to have a good prospect to see the light of the sun (Eccl. xi. 7) and by it to see the wonderful works of God, with which this lower world is beautified and enriched. Those that want the mercy know how to value it; how would the light of the eyes rejoice their hearts! The consideration of this should make us thankful for our eyesight. 2. It is more pleasant to have a good name, a name for good things with God and good people; this is as precious ointment, Eccl. vii. 1. It makes the bones fat; it gives a secret pleasure, and that which is strengthening. It is also very comfortable to hear (as some understand it) a good report concerning others; a good man has no greater joy than to hear that his friends walk in the truth.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Joy Is Contagious
Verse 30 seems to suggest that joy in the face of another, and good news, gladden the heart. Such effect seems to be indicated in Vs 13; Pro 16:15; Pro 25:25; Gen 45:25-28; Php_4:8.
15:31-33
Responses to Wisdom
Verses 31-33 affirm some important consequences of man’s responses to the appeals of wisdom:
1) Wisdom effects a reproof of sin that leads to life those who heed it. Those who do so dwell among the wise and get understanding, Vs 5b; Vs 31; Vs 32b.
2) He who rejects the reproof of wisdom despises or takes lightly his own soul, as did Belshazzar, Dan 5:17; Pro 1:29-32; Pro 8:35-36.
3) Wisdom, which begins with the fear of the LORD (see 1:7a), administers an instructive discipline in the life of those who yield to its authority, Vs 33a; Pro 1:3; Pro 8:32-35.
4) A basic teaching of wisdom is stated in Vs 33b; before honor is humility. This is exemplified in the life of men such as Joseph, Daniel, Saul of Tarsus, etc.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 15:30
CHEERFULNESS AND GOOD TIDINGS
Two views are taken of the meaning of the first clause of this verse. Some understand it to mean that the objective light that plays upon the eyes of the body rejoices the heart of the man who is under its influence; and others understand by the light of the eyes that cheerfulness of countenance spoken of in Pro. 15:13, which has such an inspiriting effect upon those who behold it. We suggest a line of thought upon both views.
The light of the material sun rejoices the heart.
1. Because of its healthful influence upon the bodily frame. It is well known that sunlight is favourable to bodily healththat a dwelling into which it does not freely enter has a most depressing influence upon its inhabitants, because it deprives them of natural bodily health and vigour. Other things being equal, health of body adds much to cheerfulness of spirit, to gladness of heart. Everyone can testify from personal experience how a low state of bodily health depresses the spirit, and how returning health after sickness revives and gladdens it. Therefore, in this sense the light of the eyes rejoices the heart.
2. Because of its beautifying influence upon all that the eyes behold. If we go from the light and brightness of noonday into a dark cave or dungeon where the suns rays never penetrate, we find none of that beauty of colour or contrasts of light and shade, which afford us such exquisite enjoyment in the landscape outside. When we come again into the light of day we realise that light is sweet, and that it is a pleasant thing to behold the sun (Ecc. 11:7), for to its blessed influence we owe all the joy that fills our hearts when we look abroad upon the beauties of the natural world.
3. It ought to rejoice the heart of man on account of its symbolic suggestions. God intends the light of nature to be a symbol to the children of men of blessed realities which can be appreciated only by the eye of the soul. Light is symbolic of the glory of the Divine nature (1Ti. 6:16), and of the perfect purity of the Divine character (1Jn. 1:5). The beneficent influence of sunlight is a symbol of the soul-warming and soul-gladdening influence of the Divine presence (Psa. 84:11). And as the light of the sun rejoices the heart of the beholder, so does light and cheerfulness upon one mans face gladden the heart of him who looks upon it. Cheerfulness upon one mans countenance brings cheer to the heart of those with whom he comes in contact. Upon this subject we remark
1. That there is a great difference between levity and cheerfulness. Two men may be swimming in a river, and one may keep himself afloat by artificial appliances, and the other by his natural strength skilfully used. The beholders may not for a time observe any difference in the two; but should the first man, by any mishap, lose his floats, then the difference will be at once manifest. He will be in danger of going to the bottom while his companion will keep steadily on his way. The natural strength and long practice of the latter has made it second nature to keep on the surface of the water. There is just such a difference between gaiety which depends for its continuance upon good fortune and external excitement, and the cheerfulness that springs from a never-failing and internal source. In the first case, if the floating-tackle is cut away the poor man sinks into despondency and gloom, but in the second there is a buoyancy of heart which, if overwhelmed for a moment by some sudden wave of adversity, brings him again to the surface and re-awakens hope within him. The first is of earth, but, although natural temperament may do much towards the second, real and heartfelt cheerfulness can only be born of a consciousness of reconciliation with God and goodwill to men. It is not, however, a universal characteristic of good men and women. But
2. It is a mans duty to cultivate this cheerfulness of heart. It is good for the man himself. If sunlight gives strength to the body this sunlight of the soul is strengthening to the whole man. Cheerfulness gives courage to face the difficulties of lifethat gladness of heart which springs from doing justly, loving mercy, and walking with God is a power which no man for his own sake can afford to throw away. But it is also a duty which we owe to others: In this sense the light of the eyes rejoices the heart, the incoming of a cheerful man into a house where the inhabitants are depressed and sad is like the entrance of sunlight into a darkened roomit changes the entire aspect of things. The influence of such a man is like a shower upon the parched eartheverything seems to spring into new life after it. If it has so reviving and cheering an effect in a world where there is so much to sadden and to weaken mens energies, every man is bound to cultivate a habit of cheerfulness as a matter of duty. It is part of the duty which men owe to God. It is a manifestation of confidence in His righteous character and merciful purposes towards His creatures. It reveals contentment with the lot in life which He has assigned to usa spirit of submission to His will. Therefore it is an apostolic command, Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice (Php. 4:4). The second clause of the verse relates to another very fruitful source of gladness, viz., the reception of a good report, or good news.
1. A good report gives joy, or maketh the bones fat in proportion as such news was desired. If the sick man, who has been awaiting the verdict of the physician, receives from him the assurance that he will recover his health, his heart is filled with joy at the tidings. He can testify that his bones waxed old while he was filled with fear and doubt as to his case, but the good report makes him renew his youth, and is the first step to renewal of health. The good news that the guilt of the soul can be removed fills the soul with joy in proportion as the misery of unforgiven sin has weighed upon the spirit. This was Davids experience: When I kept silence (while my sin was unconfessed) my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. And the consciousness of forgiveness enabled him then to sing of the blessedness of him whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is covered (Psa. 32:1-5).
2. The joy imparted by a good report of this nature is shadowed forth by the gladness which is imparted to men who have long sat in darkness, when they greet again the light of day. What must be the joy of an arctic traveller, when, after months of night, he sees the first streak of returning sunlight? Who can describe the feelings of a prisoner who has been for years immured in a gloomy dungeon, when he again finds himself in the sunshine? Or who but those who have passed through the experience can conceive what the blind man feels who has never seen the light of day, when first his eyes are opened? So none but he who has been in darkness of soul on account of unpardoned sin, and has felt the joy of a sense of reconciliation with his God, can know how the good report that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners maketh the bones fat, in other words, gives him a sense of new life.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
We may conceive this verse to show the comfort of life as it cometh from God, and from man. From God in the light of the eyes, and in seeing those good things which He bestowed upon us. From man in hearing the good report and testimony which he giveth of us. Or else we may take the first part of the verse more literally, to speak only of the joy of the heart, which by the light of the eye from the pleasant objects thereof, is conveyed to it, and so the good contentment of a man from a good report to be compared to it. Now well may these be compared together, for report is the eye whereby the world judgeth of a man, and it is also a useful eye whereby a man judgeth of himself. Certainly it must be the care of the godly, not only to keep a good conscience, but to have a good report.Jermin.
It is riches enough to be well reputed and well spoken of. It pleased David well that whatsoever he did pleased the people. It pleased John well that his friend Demetrius had a good report of the truth (3Jn. 1:12), and he had no greater joy than to hear that his children walked in the truth.Trapp.
The bones may be called the foundation of the corporeal structure, on which its strength and stability depend. The cavities and cellular parts of the bones are filled with the marrow, of which the fine oil, by one of the beautiful processes of the animal physiology, pervades their substance, and, incorporating with the earthy and silicious material, gives them their cohesive tenacity, a provision without which they would be brittle and easily fractured. Making the bones fat, means supplying them with plenty of marrow, and thus strengthening the entire system. Hence marrow to the bones is a Bible figure for anything eminently gratifying and beneficial. The import, then, of the expression of the text is, that a good reputation contributes eminently to enjoyment, to comfort, health, active vigour, spirit, life, and happiness. By some, however, a good report is understood of good tidings, and they conceive the light of the eyes to refer to the happy glancing looks of the messenger of such good tidings.Wardlaw.
The light of the eyes means the look of a pleased friend. When He is the Almighty, how it rejoices the heart. And when the rapture of another sense is secured by a good report (a good hearing, as it is in the original), the good news being also from on high, it reaches the very penetration of our comfort.Miller.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(30) The light of the eyes . . .It does the heart good to see one whose eyes are sparkling with happiness.
A good report.Good news, affecting either oneself or others.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
30. The light of the eyes, etc. , ( meor,) is properly a luminary or means of light, but is used here for light itself. , ( ‘ hetsem,) bone, singular collective, is used for the body, or the person himself. So the older commentators. But Zockler renders, “light of the eyes,” a friendly look; that is, the cheerful beaming of a friendly eye; which makes a good sense. Bright eyes make others happy. Compare for the sentiment Pro 16:15.
Maketh fat Comp. Pro 13:4; Pro 16:24.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
v. 30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Pro 15:30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart The light of the eyes refresheth the mind; a good report the marrow of the bones. Houbigant. In the same manner that the sensible light rejoices a sound eye, and diffuses its pleasure through the whole soul, a good reputation gives pleasure, and contributes to the health of the body. The wise man frequently advises his disciple for a good reputation. He often proposes to him human motives to incline him to virtue and his own good. But it is grace alone which raises the soul to more elevated sentiments, and to the most pure and sacred motives. See chap. Pro 10:7 Pro 22:1 and Calmet.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Pro 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.
Ver. 30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart. ] Light and sight are very comfortable. He was a mad fool that being warned of wine by the physicians as hurtful to his eyes, cried out, Vale lumen amicum; – If they will not bear with wine, they are no eyes for me. “Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is to behold the sun.” Ecc 11:7 Eudoxus professed that he would be willing to be burnt up by the sun presently, so he might be admitted to come so near it as to behold the beauty of it, and to see further into the the nature of it. a
And a good report maketh the bones fat.
a Plutarch.
b Xenophon.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Pro 15:30
Pro 15:30
“The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; And good tidings make the bones fat.”
“Good fortune is the joy of life, and good news is health and vigor. “Makes the bones fat” is also read as, “Refreshes the bones. The language here is metaphorical. This is a truism. People like it when good news and prosperity come.
Pro 15:30. The sunlight and other beautiful things that man sees bring joy to his heart, and the good news that he hears makes him feel good and results in good health. What one sees and hears, then, affects the way he feels, and the way he feels affects the functions of his body. People who trust instead of fret, who pray instead of worry, who thank God rather than complain, etc. are bound to have better health than those who do otherwise.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
light: Pro 13:9, Ezr 9:8, Ecc 11:7, Rev 21:23, Rev 22:5
a good: Pro 17:22, Pro 25:25, Psa 89:15, Luk 2:10-19
the bones: Pro 3:8, Isa 58:11
Reciprocal: Pro 28:25 – made Ecc 7:1 – name
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 15:30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, &c. In the same manner that the sensible light rejoices a sound eye, and diffuses its pleasure through the whole soul, so a good reputation gives pleasure, and contributes to the health of the body. The wise man frequently advises his disciple to labour for a good reputation: see Pro 10:7; Pro 22:1. He often proposes to him human motives, and reasons of private interest, to incline him to virtue and his own good: weak minds have need of this sort of succours. They raise them, by little and little, to more elevated sentiments, and to the most pure and sacred motives. See Calmet.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Happy people and good news both have a heartwarming effect. Good news also uplifts people. Healthy bones (lit. fat bones) represented health and prosperity to the Jews (cf. Pro 17:22; Pro 25:25; Gen 45:27-28; Isa 52:7-8).