Proverbs 16:24
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Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
24 A honeycomb are pleasant words, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones. Honeycomb, i.e., honey flowing from the צוּף, the comb or cell (favus), is otherwise designated, Psa 19:11. מתוק, with מרפּא, is neut. אמרי־נעם are, according to Pro 15:26, words which love suggests, and which breathe love. Such words are sweet to the soul of the hearer, and bring strength and healing to his bones (Pro 15:30); for מרפא is not only that which restores soundness, but also that which preserves and advances it (cf. θεραπεία, Rev 22:2).
Open source ↗The pleasant words here commended must be those which the heart of the wise teaches, and adds learning to (Pro 16:23), words of seasonable advice, instruction, and comfort, words taken from God's word, for that is it which Solomon had learned from his father to account sweeter than honey and the honey-comb, Psa 19:10. These words, to those that know how to relish them, 1. Are pleasant. They are like the honey-comb, sweet to the soul, which tastes in them that the Lord is gracious; nothing more grateful and agreeable to the new man than the word of God, and those words which are borrowed from it, Psa 119:103. 2. They are wholesome. Many things are pleasant that are not profitable, but these pleasant words are health to the bones, to the inward man, as well as sweet to the soul. They make the bones, which sin has broken and put out of joint, to rejoice. The bones are the strength of the body; and the good word of God is a means of spiritual strength, curing the diseases that weaken us.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.
My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
How sweet are Your words to my taste— sweeter than honey in my mouth!
This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.
Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.
Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants.