Proverbs 15:13

Proverbs 15:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
• New International Version (NIV)A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Context of Proverbs 15:13

11Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the place of eternal punishment) lie open before the Lord— How much more the hearts and inner motives of the children of men. 12A scoffer [unlike a wise man] resents one who rebukes him and tries to teach him; Nor will he go to the wise [for counsel and instruction]. A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face, But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed. 14The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it, But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness. 15All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances].

Proverbs 15:13 word by word

לֵ֣ב שָׂ֭מֵחַ יֵיטִ֣ב פָּנִ֑ים וּבְעַצְּבַת־לֵ֝ב ר֣וּחַ נְכֵאָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A merryשָׂמֵחַώâmêach · gladH8056
• heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• maketh a cheerfulיָטַבyâţab · be goodH3190
• countenanceפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• but by sorrowעַצֶּ֫בֶת‛atstsebeth · injuryH6094
• the spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
• is brokenנָכֵאnâkê' nâkâ' · strickenH5218

Cross-references for Proverbs 15:13

• Proverbs 15:15All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances].
• Proverbs 17:22A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
• 2 Corinthians 1:12This is our [reason for] proud confidence: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world [in general], and especially toward you, with pure motives and godly sincerity, not in human wisdom, but in the grace of God [that is, His gracious lovingkindness that leads people to Christ and spiritual maturity].
• Proverbs 12:25Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.
• Proverbs 18:14The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness, But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it?
• Nehemiah 2:2So the king said to me, “Why do you look sad when you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” Then I was very frightened,
• John 14:1“Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.
• 2 Corinthians 7:10For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death.

Commentaries on Proverbs 15:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13By sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken - Every kind of sorrow worketh death, but that which is the offspring of true repentance. This alone is healthful to the soul. The indulgence of a disposition to sighing tends to destroy life. Every deep sigh throws off a portion of the vital energy.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Some prefer to render the last clause, “In sorrow of heart the breath is oppressed.”Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13Verse 13 A gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders a man uneasy to himself and others.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13People's feelings influence how they present themselves (compare Proverbs 15:30).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. maketh ... countenance--or, "benefits the countenance." spirit is broken--and so the countenance is sad.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 15:13

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Contentment
• Countenance
• Heart

In the dictionaries

• Abomination
• Cheerful
• Continual
• Countenance
• Disappoint
• Disperse
• Feast
• Grievous
• Humility
• Poetry

Commentaries on Proverbs 15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings