Proverbs 17:22

ยถ A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

A merry {H8056} heart {H3820} doeth good {H3190} like a medicine {H1456}: but a broken {H5218} spirit {H7307} drieth {H3001} the bones {H1634}.

A happy heart is good medicine, but low spirits sap one's strength.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

Commentary

Proverbs 17:22 offers profound wisdom regarding the intrinsic connection between one's emotional state and physical well-being. This verse succinctly contrasts the life-giving power of joy with the debilitating effects of sorrow, presenting timeless truths about holistic health.

Context

The book of Proverbs is a collection of practical wisdom for living a godly and prosperous life. It often uses antithetical parallelism, contrasting two opposing ideas to highlight a truth. In this chapter, Solomon (or other wise men) addresses various aspects of human conduct, relationships, and the consequences of choices. Verse 22 fits within a broader theme of understanding human nature and the importance of a healthy inner life, echoing sentiments found throughout the wisdom literature that a person's inner state profoundly impacts their outer reality.

Key Themes

  • The Power of Joy: A "merry heart" is presented as a restorative force, likened to a "medicine." This highlights the positive impact of cheerfulness, optimism, and joy on physical health and overall vitality. It suggests that a positive emotional outlook can genuinely contribute to healing and well-being.
  • The Destructive Nature of Sorrow: Conversely, a "broken spirit" is depicted as physically depleting, causing one to "drie the bones." This vivid imagery speaks to the profound and damaging effects of deep sadness, despair, and emotional distress on the body, leading to weakness, loss of vitality, and even physical illness.
  • Mind-Body Connection: The verse powerfully articulates the ancient understanding of the psychosomatic link โ€“ that the mind and emotions are not separate from the body but intricately connected, influencing each other profoundly. This concept is increasingly affirmed by modern science.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew phrase for "merry heart" is lev sameach (ืœึตื‘ ืฉึธื‚ืžึตื—ึท), signifying a joyful, cheerful, or glad heart. It implies an inner state of contentment and positive disposition.
  • "Medicine" comes from the Hebrew word gehah (ื’ึตึผื”ึธื”), which means healing, cure, or remedy. It emphasizes the therapeutic quality of joy.
  • "Broken spirit" translates ruach nekhe'ah (ืจื•ึผื—ึท ื ึฐื›ึตืึธื”), describing a spirit that is crushed, dejected, or severely depressed. It conveys a sense of deep inner wound and despair.
  • "Drieth the bones" (ื™ึฐื™ึทื‘ึตึผืฉื ืขึธืฆึถื - yeyabesh 'etsem) is a powerful metaphor. Bones were often seen as the core of one's physical strength and vitality. To "dry the bones" suggests a complete loss of vigor, a wasting away, or a deep, pervasive weakening of the entire being, much like chronic physical illness or severe depression can deplete a person.

Related Scriptures

This proverb encourages us to cultivate joy and guard our emotional state. The Bible frequently affirms the importance of joy, recognizing it as a gift from God and a source of strength, as seen in Nehemiah 8:10, where "the joy of the LORD is your strength". Conversely, deep sorrow or unaddressed grief can have tangible physical consequences, a truth also echoed in Psalm 32:3, where David describes his bones waxing old through groaning when he kept silent about his sin.

For practical application, Proverbs 17:22 reminds us:

  • To actively seek out sources of wholesome joy and laughter in our lives.
  • To address sorrow, grief, and despair, not allowing them to fester and cause deeper harm. This might involve seeking comfort in God, confiding in trusted friends, or professional help.
  • To recognize the holistic nature of our being, understanding that our spiritual and emotional health are integral to our physical well-being. This aligns with the broader biblical principle to "keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

Ultimately, this verse is a call to wisdom in managing our inner lives, acknowledging that a cheerful heart is not merely a pleasant disposition but a powerful tool for health and resilience, while a broken spirit can lead to profound decline.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 15:13

    ยถ A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

  • Proverbs 12:25

    ยถ Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

  • Proverbs 18:14

    ยถ The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

  • 2 Corinthians 7:10

    For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

  • Romans 5:2

    By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

  • Romans 5:5

    And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:7

    Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
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