Translation commentary on Proverbs 15:30

“The light of the eyes rejoices the heart”: “The light of the eyes” most likely refers to the radiant glow on the face of a happy person; but it could also refer to the person who hears good news in the second line. In any event it is assumed that the light is observed in another’s eyes. Accordingly, Good News Translation has “Smiling faces make you happy,” and Contemporary English Version “A friendly smile makes you happy.” “Rejoices the heart” means “makes the heart of the observer rejoice.”

“And good news refreshes the bones”: “Good news” refers to “a good report.” “Refreshes”, according to the Revised Standard Version footnote, is literally “makes fat,” and in reference to “the bones” this is a figurative expression for “well-being.” We may translate, for example, “and getting good news makes you feel good.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 15:30)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 15:30:

  • Kupsabiny: “A happy person makes people happy,
    and good news strengthens/encourages people.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “A face full of joy makes the heart happy.
    Good news gives strength to the body.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A cheerful face can-give joy, and a good news can-strengthen.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “A person who smiles causes-happiness and good news causes-encouragement.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “If people have a smile on their faces, it makes them/others happy,
    and when people hear good news, it refreshes their spirits.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 15:30

15:30

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

30a
The light of the eyes cheers the heart,

30b and good news nourishes the bones.

The underlined parallel parts have different meanings, but they are both associated with a person who brings a good report. Both also have good effects on the listener.

15:30a

The light of the eyes cheers the heart: In Hebrew, the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The light of the eyes probably refers to a cheerful expression on someone’s face. When a person smiles cheerfully, it makes another person happy. Another way to translate this line is:

A friendly smile makes you happy (Contemporary English Version)

15:30b

and good news nourishes the bones: The parallelism implies that the person with a cheerful face is the same person who reports good news. When a messenger smiles cheerfully and tells good news, it makes his listeners happy. It also has a positive effect on their health and well-being.

nourishes the bones: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “makes fat the bones.” This is a figure of speech that refers to the beneficial effects of good news on a person’s health. It refers mainly to physical health but also to general well-being.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

good news gives health to the body (NET Bible)
-or-
good news makes you feel better (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 15:30a–b

In some languages, the parallel lines may wrongly imply that a cheerful look has different effects from good news. One way to avoid this wrong meaning is to reorder the parallel parts. See 15:30a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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