Proverbs 16:24
New International Version
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

New Living Translation
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

English Standard Version
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Berean Standard Bible
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

King James Bible
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

New King James Version
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

New American Standard Bible
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

NASB 1995
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

NASB 1977
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Legacy Standard Bible
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Amplified Bible
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

Christian Standard Bible
Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.

American Standard Version
Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Contemporary English Version
Kind words are like honey--they cheer you up and make you feel strong.

English Revised Version
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Pleasant words are [like] honey from a honeycomb- sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body.

Good News Translation
Kind words are like honey--sweet to the taste and good for your health.

International Standard Version
Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing for the body.

Majority Standard Bible
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

NET Bible
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

New Heart English Bible
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Webster's Bible Translation
Pleasant words are as a honey-comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

World English Bible
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, "" Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.

Young's Literal Translation
Sayings of pleasantness are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.

Smith's Literal Translation
Words of pleasantness an, honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Careful words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healthful to the bones.

New American Bible
Pleasing words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and invigorating to the bones.

New Revised Standard Version
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The speech of a wise man is like honeycomb, sweet to his soul, and health to his bones.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The speech of the wise is a honeycomb of honey, and it is sweet to his soul and healing to his bones.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
23The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.…

Cross References
Proverbs 12:18
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:4
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Proverbs 10:32
The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.

Proverbs 18:21
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Psalm 19:10
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

Psalm 119:103
How sweet are Your words to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth!

Song of Solomon 4:11
Your lips, my bride, drip sweetness like the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue, and the fragrance of your garments is like the aroma of Lebanon.

Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

Isaiah 57:19
bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.”

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. / Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

Matthew 12:34-37
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. / But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

pleasant

Proverbs 12:18
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverbs 15:23,26
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! …

Proverbs 23:16
Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

an

Proverbs 24:13,14
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: …

Psalm 19:10
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psalm 119:103
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

health

Proverbs 3:8
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Proverbs 4:22
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

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Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














Pleasant words
The Hebrew term for "pleasant" is "נֹעַם" (no'am), which conveys a sense of beauty, agreeableness, and delight. In the context of Proverbs, words that are pleasant are not merely kind or flattering but are rooted in truth and wisdom. They are words that build up, encourage, and bring joy to the listener. Historically, the Israelites valued speech that was not only truthful but also delivered with grace and respect, reflecting the character of God Himself.

are a honeycomb
The imagery of a "honeycomb" in ancient Israel is rich with meaning. Honey was a prized delicacy, a symbol of abundance and prosperity. The Hebrew word "נֹפֶת" (nofet) refers to the dripping honey from the comb, which is pure and unprocessed. This metaphor suggests that pleasant words are naturally sweet and nourishing, much like honey, which was used for both food and medicine in biblical times. The honeycomb represents the natural, unadulterated sweetness that comes from words spoken with love and wisdom.

sweet to the soul
The word "sweet" in Hebrew is "מָתוֹק" (matok), indicating something delightful and pleasing to the senses. The "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) in Hebrew thought encompasses the entire being—mind, will, and emotions. Thus, words that are sweet to the soul provide deep satisfaction and joy, reaching into the very essence of a person. In a spiritual sense, such words can uplift and inspire, bringing a sense of peace and contentment that transcends circumstances.

and healing to the bones
The Hebrew word for "healing" is "מַרְפֵּא" (marpe), which means restoration or cure. "Bones" (עֲצָמוֹת, atzamot) are often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent strength and vitality. In ancient times, the health of the bones was seen as indicative of overall well-being. Therefore, words that heal the bones are those that restore strength and vitality to a person. This phrase underscores the profound impact that words can have on one's physical and emotional health, echoing the biblical principle that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).

(24) Pleasant words.--Comp. Proverbs 15:26.

Health to the bones.--Comp. 1Samuel 14:27.

Verse 24. - Pleasant words are as an honeycomb. "Pleasant words" are words of comforting, soothing tendency, as in ch. 15:26; Psalm 19:10. The writer continues his praise of apt speech. The comparison with honey is common in all languages and at all times. Thus Homer sings of Nestor ('Iliad,' 1:248, etc.) -

"The smooth-tongued chief, from whose persuasive lips
Sweeter than honey flowed the stream of speech."

(Derby.)
So the story goes that on the lips of St. Ambrose, while still a boy, a swarm of bees settled, portending his future persuasive eloquence. Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones (Proverbs 15:30). The verse forms one sentence. The happy results of pleasant words are felt in body and soul. Honey in Palestine is a staple article of food, and is also used as a medicinal remedy. Of its reviving effects we read in the case of Jonathan, who from a little portion hurriedly taken as he marched on had "his eyes enlightened" (1 Samuel 14:27). Septuagint, "Their sweetness is the healing of the soul."

Ἰατρὸς ὁ λόγος τοῦ κατά ψυχὴν πάθους.

"Speech the physician of the soul's annoy."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Pleasant
נֹ֑עַם (nō·‘am)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5278: Agreeableness, delight, suitableness, splendor, grace

words
אִמְרֵי־ (’im·rê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 561: Something said

are a honeycomb,
צוּף־ (ṣūp̄-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6688: Comb of honey

sweet
מָת֥וֹק (mā·ṯō·wq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4966: Sweet, sweetness

to the soul
לַ֝נֶּפֶשׁ (lan·ne·p̄eš)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

and healing
וּמַרְפֵּ֥א (ū·mar·pê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4832: Curative, a medicine, a cure, deliverance, placidity

to the bones.
לָעָֽצֶם׃ (lā·‘ā·ṣem)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb sweet (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 16:23
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