New International Version
Proverbs 16:24
24Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Context of Proverbs 16:24
22Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. 23The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. 26The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.
Read all of Proverbs 16Proverbs 16:24 word by word
צוּף־דְּ֭בַשׁ אִמְרֵי־נֹ֑עַם מָת֥וֹק לַ֝נֶּפֶשׁ וּמַרְפֵּ֥א לָעָֽצֶם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 16:24
- Proverbs 12:18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- Proverbs 15:23A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
- Proverbs 23:16my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
- Proverbs 25:11Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
- Proverbs 27:9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
- Deuteronomy 32:2Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.
- John 20:19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
- Proverbs 24:13Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
- Psalms 19:10They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
- Psalms 119:103How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
- Jeremiah 15:16When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.
- Proverbs 3:8This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
- Proverbs 4:22for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
Commentaries on Proverbs 16:24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24Pleasant words are as a honey-comb - The honey of which is sweeter than that which has been expressed from it, and has a much finer flavour before it has come in contact with the atmospheric air.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24Honey took its place not only among the luxuries, but among the medicines of the Israelites. This two-fold use made it all the more suitable to be an emblem both of the true Wisdom which is also true obedience, and of the “pleasant words” in which that Wisdom speaks.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24Verse 24 The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. (Compare Pr 15:26). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 16:24
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 16
- 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
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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