New Living Translation
Proverbs 16:24
24Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
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.
- New International Version (NIV)Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing 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.
Context of Proverbs 16:24
22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools. 23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. 25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. 26It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach 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 12:18Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
- Proverbs 15:23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
- Proverbs 23:16Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.
- Proverbs 25:11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
- Proverbs 27:9The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
- Deuteronomy 32:2Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants.
- John 20:19That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said.
- Proverbs 24:13My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.
- Psalms 19:10They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.
- Psalms 119:103How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.
- Jeremiah 15:16When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.
- Proverbs 3:8Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
- Proverbs 4:22for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their 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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