Proverbs 15:30-33

15:30 A bright look ¹  brings joy to the heart,

and good news gives health to the body. ² 

15:31 The person ³  who hears the reproof that leads to life ⁴ 

is at home ⁵  among the wise. ⁶ 

15:32 The one who refuses correction despises himself, ⁷ 

but whoever hears ⁸  reproof acquires understanding. ⁹ 

15:33 The fear of the Lord provides wise instruction, ¹⁰ 

and before honor comes humility. ¹¹ 

[15:30]  ¹ tc The LXX has “the eye that sees beautiful things.” D. W. Thomas suggests pointing מְאוֹר (mÿ’or) as a Hophal participle, “a fine sight cheers the mind” (“Textual and Philological Notes,” 205). But little is to be gained from this change.

[15:30]  ² tn Heb “makes fat the bones”; NAB “invigorates the bones.” The word “bones” is a metonymy of subject, the bones representing the whole body. The idea of “making fat” signifies by comparison (hypocatastasis) with fat things that the body will be healthy and prosperous (e.g., Prov 17:22; 25:25; Gen 45:27-28; and Isa 52:7-8). Good news makes the person feel good in body and soul.

[15:31]  ³ tn Heb “ear” (so KJV, NRSV). The term “ear” is a synecdoche of part (= ear) for the whole (= person).

[15:31]  ⁴ tn “Life” is an objective genitive: Reproof brings or preserves life. Cf. NIV “life-giving rebuke”; NLT “constructive criticism.”

[15:31]  ⁵ tn Heb “lodges.” This means to live with, to be at home with.

[15:31]  ⁶ sn The proverb is one full sentence; it affirms that a teachable person is among the wise.

[15:32]  ⁷ sn To “despise oneself” means to reject oneself as if there was little value. The one who ignores discipline is not interested in improving himself.

[15:32]  ⁸ tn Or “heeds” (so NAB, NIV); NASB “listens to.”

[15:32]  ⁹ tn The Hebrew text reads קוֹנֶה לֵּב (qoneh lev), the participle of קָנָה (qanah, “to acquire; to possess”) with its object, “heart.” The word “heart” is frequently a metonymy of subject, meaning all the capacities of the human spirit and/or mind. Here it refers to the ability to make judgments or discernment.

[15:33]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “[is] instruction of wisdom” (KJV and NASB similar). The noun translated “wisdom” is an attributive genitive: “wise instruction.”

[15:33]  ¹¹ tn Heb “[is] humility” (so KJV). The second clause is a parallel idea in that it stresses how one thing leads to another – humility to honor. Humble submission in faith to the Lord brings wisdom and honor.