Proverbs 4:22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.

◄ Proverbs 4:22 ►

New International Version
for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.

New Living Translation
for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

English Standard Version
For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

Berean Standard Bible
For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.

King James Bible
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

New King James Version
For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

New American Standard Bible
For they are life to those who find them, And healing to all their body.

NASB 1995
For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body.

NASB 1977
For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their whole body.

Legacy Standard Bible
For they are life to those who find them And healing to all his flesh.

Amplified Bible
For they are life to those who find them, And healing and health to all their flesh.

Christian Standard Bible
For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body.

American Standard Version
For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh.

Contemporary English Version
Knowing these teachings will mean true life and good health for you.

English Revised Version
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
because they are life to those who find them and they heal the whole body.

Good News Translation
They will give life and health to anyone who understands them.

International Standard Version
For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

Majority Standard Bible
For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.

NET Bible
for they are life to those who find them and healing to one's entire body.

New Heart English Bible
For they are life to him who finds them, and health to all of his body.

Webster's Bible Translation
For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

World English Bible
For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
For they [are] life to those finding them, "" And healing to all their flesh.

Young's Literal Translation
For life they are to those finding them, And to all their flesh healing.

Smith's Literal Translation
For they are life to those finding them, and healing to all their flesh.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For they are life to those that find them, and health to all flesh.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For they are life to those who find them and health to all that is flesh.

New American Bible
For they are life to those who find them, bringing health to one’s whole being.

New Revised Standard Version
For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For they are life to him who finds them, and health to all his flesh.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because he who finds them has life, and all healing in his flesh.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

A Father's Instruction
…21Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. 23Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Psalm 107:20
He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit.

Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Psalm 119:50
This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life.

Isaiah 55:10-11
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

John 15:3
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Psalm 119:93
I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.

James 1:21
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

Deuteronomy 32:46-47
he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to carefully follow all the words of this law. / For they are not idle words to you, because they are your life, and by them you will live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Psalm 19:7-8
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. / The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

Treasury of Scripture

For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

life

Proverbs 4:4,10
He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live…

health

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

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

Jeremiah 33:6
Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

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Proverbs 4

1. persuades to wisdom
14. and to show wickedness
20. He exhorts to sanctification

Berean Study Bible

For they are life
The phrase "for they are life" refers to the teachings and wisdom of God as imparted through the Scriptures. In Hebrew, the word for "life" is "חַיִּים" (chayim), which signifies not just physical life but a fullness of life, encompassing spiritual vitality and eternal life. This reflects the belief that God's wisdom is not merely a set of rules but a source of true life, offering guidance that leads to a flourishing existence. In a historical context, the ancient Israelites viewed the Torah as a living document, essential for maintaining a covenant relationship with God, which was the foundation of their community and personal well-being.

to those who find them
The phrase "to those who find them" implies an active pursuit and discovery of wisdom. The Hebrew root for "find" is "מָצָא" (matsa), which suggests seeking with intention and effort. This highlights the importance of diligence in studying and applying God's word. In the scriptural context, wisdom is portrayed as a treasure that must be sought after, as seen in Proverbs 2:4, where wisdom is compared to searching for hidden treasures. This pursuit is not passive but requires dedication and a heart inclined towards understanding God's will.

and health to the whole body
The phrase "and health to the whole body" underscores the holistic impact of wisdom on a person's life. The Hebrew word for "health" is "מַרְפֵּא" (marpe), which can also mean healing or cure. This suggests that wisdom brings restoration and wholeness, not just to the soul but to the entire being. The "whole body" indicates that the benefits of wisdom are comprehensive, affecting every aspect of life. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel, recognized the interconnectedness of spiritual and physical health. The teachings of Proverbs affirm that living according to God's wisdom promotes overall well-being, aligning with the biblical view that obedience to God's commandments leads to blessings and prosperity.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(22) For they are life . . .--Comp. 1Timothy 4:8, "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, (the highest happiness that man can attain to now, peace of mind,) and of that which is to come," the assurance of a joyful resurrection.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 22. - They are life; i.e. they bring life (khayyim; the plural, as usual). Unto those that find them; i.e. to those who by effort get possession of and procure them; the verb matsa, to find, embodying the idea of activity. Health; mar'pe, derived from the root rapha, "to heal" (like riph'uth of Proverbs 3:8, which see), and hence rather "the means of health" than "health," "healing," or, as margin, "medicine," "that which restores to health;" LXX., ἴασις; Vulgate, sanitas. The moral condition is regarded as enfeebled by sickness, from which it may be restored to health and soundness by the words of wisdom. The effect of these, however, is not only to restore to health, but to maintain in health. Their tendency is to promote "a sound mind in a sound body." To their flesh; literally, to his flesh; the singular, b'saro, being used instead of the plural, which we should have expected, because what is said applies to each one of those who receive the precepts of wisdom. The all implies the completeness of the restoration; it is not confined to one part, but pervades the whole body.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they
הֵ֭ם (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

are life
חַיִּ֣ים (ḥay·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

to those who find them,
לְמֹצְאֵיהֶ֑ם (lə·mō·ṣə·’ê·hem)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

and health
מַרְפֵּֽא׃ (mar·pê)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4832: Curative, a medicine, a cure, deliverance, placidity

to the whole
וּֽלְכָל־ (ū·lə·ḵāl-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

body.
בְּשָׂר֥וֹ (bə·śā·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

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OT Poetry: Proverbs 4:22 For they are life to those who (Prov. Pro Pr)