BibleWord.ai› Bible› Proverbs› Chapter 17› Verse 22

Proverbs 17:22

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 17:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
22A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.
24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.
← Proverbs 17:21Proverbs 17:23 →
← Full Chapter 17 Proverbs Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“A merry heart doth good [like] a medicine, etc.] Does the body good, makes it healthful and vigorous. Cheerfulness of spirit has a great influence upon the body, and much contributes to the health and welfare of it; (see <210907>Ecclesiastes 9:7-9); and especially a heart full of spiritual joy, peace of conscience, flowing from the blood of Christ, joy in the Holy Ghost, a rejoicing in Christ Jesus and his righteousness, and in hope of the glory of God, much affect even the outward man. Or, “a merry heart makes a good medicine”f504; it is a good medicine of itself; raises the spirits, invigorates the body, and fits it for service and business: or, “does a medicine good”f505; makes that…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Pro 14:30; Pro 15:13). The effect of the mind on the body is well known. medicine--or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone." drieth--as if the marrow were exhausted.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Doeth good like a medicine - Better, worketh a good healing. Omit “like.” return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Doth good - Even to the body; it contributes much to bodily health and vigour. Drieth - Wastes the marrow of the bones, and the moisture and strength of the body. Proverbs 17:24”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“merry: Pro 12:25, Pro 15:13, Pro 18:14; Ecc 9:7-9; Rom 5:2-5 like a medicine: Heb. to a medicine a broken: Psa 22:15, Psa 32:3, Psa 32:4, Psa 102:3-5; Co2 2:7, Co2 7:10 Proverbs 17:23”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“22 A joyful heart bringeth good recovery; And a broken spirit drieth the bones. The heart is the centre of the individual life, and the condition and the tone of the heart communicates itself to this life, even to its outermost circumference; the spirit is the power of self-consciousness which, according as it is lifted up or broken, also lifts up or breaks down the condition of the body (Psychol. p. 199), vid., the similar contrasted phrases לב שׂמח and רוּח נכאה, Pro 15:13. The ἄπ. λεγ. גּהה (here and there in Codd. incorrectly written גּיהה) has nothing to do with the Arab. jihat, which does not mean sight, but direction, and is formed from wjah (whence wajah, sight), like עדה,…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Proverbs 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification