Proverbs 14:30

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Proverbs 14:30 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
English Standard Version (ESV)
30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
New Living Translation (NLT)
30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
The Message Bible (MSG)
30 A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.
American Standard Version (ASV)
30 A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh; But envy is the rottenness of the bones.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
30 A tranquil heart makes for a healthy body, but jealousy is [like] bone cancer.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
30 A peaceful heart gives life to the body. But jealousy rots the bones.

Proverbs 14:30 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:30

A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh
A heart made so by the grace of God, in which are sound principles of truth, righteousness, and holiness; these preserve from sin, and so from many diseases; whereby the life of the flesh or body is kept safe and sound, or that is kept in health and vigour; or a "quiet heart" F8; a heart free from wrath, anger, and envy, and such like passions and perturbations; this contributes much to the health of the body, and the comfort of life: or a "healing heart", or "spirit" F9; that is humane, kind, and friendly; that pities and heals the distresses of others, and makes up differences between persons at variance: such an one is "the life of fleshes" F11, as in the original text; or of men, of the same flesh and blood; the life of others, as well as of his own flesh; such an one contributes to the comfortable living of others as well as of himself; but envy the rottenness of the bones;
a man that envies the happiness and prosperity of others, this preys upon his own spirits, and not only wastes his flesh, but weakens and consumes the stronger parts of his body, the bones; it is as a "moth" within him, as the Arabic version: the Targum is,

``as rottenness in wood, so is envy in the bones;''
hence Ovid F12 calls it "livor edax", and so Martial F13.
FOOTNOTES:

F8 (aprm bl) "cor leve", Baynus; "cor lene", Mercerus; "cor lenitatis", Gejerus, so Ben Melech.
F9 "Animus sanans", Junius & Tremellius, so the Tigurine version; "sanator", Gussetius, p. 800.
F11 (Myrvb yyx) "vitae carnium", Montanus; "vita carnium", V. L. Pagninus, Michaelis.
F12 Amorum, l. 1. Eleg. 15. v. 1. & de Remed. Amor. l. 1. in fine.
F13 Epigr. l. 11. Ep. 21.

Proverbs 14:30 In-Context

28 A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Proverbs 17:22; Proverbs 12:4
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