Proverbs 3:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

NIV: This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

NASB: It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.

CSB: This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.

NLT: Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

KJV: It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

NKJV: It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

Solomon tells his student what the results will be if the student trusts in the Lord wholeheartedly, acknowledges the Lord in everything, fears the Lord, and turns his back on evil. Good health and refreshing are the normal results of a good relationship with the Lord.

Exodus 15:22–25 describes a situation in which the Israelites were desperate for water. They grumbled when they found water at Marah, but could not drink it because it was bitter. However, the Lord cured the water and promised, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer" (Exodus 15:26). Next, the people of Israel came to a refreshing oasis, where they set up camp.

Although the Lord's promise of healing was given to the ancient nation of Israel, good health and vitality is more likely to come to those who maintain a close relationship with the Lord. Following God's commands makes one less likely to experience the diseases, accidents, and consequences which often befall those who lead a decadent life.

Proverbs 3:1–12 is an exhortation from Solomon to his son, urging him to heed his teaching and trust wholeheartedly in the Lord. He cites some of the valuable results of obedience and trust. This section builds on the counsel Solomon gave in Proverbs 2. The following section describes the blessings that come to those who find wisdom and understanding.

This chapter of Proverbs is addressed to Solomon's son. The term, ''my son'' occurs 15 times in chapters 1—7. The words may apply to one of Solomon's students in his court or to one of his biological sons. The application of wisdom in Proverbs 3 shows the benefits of trusting in the Lord with one's whole heart. Solomon credits obedience to and trust in God for longevity, success, guidance, health, reward that exceeds monetary wealth, enjoyment, peace, security, confidence, excellent human relationships, the Lord's blessing and favor, and honor. As with all ''proverbs,'' biblical or otherwise, their purpose is to impart general wisdom, not absolute prophecy. Like the original audience, modern readers are not expected to see these guidelines as absolute guarantees for any one person.

This passage lies in the second section of the book, found in chapters 1—9. The author, King Solomon, reigned over Israel from 971 to 931 BC. The first section of Proverbs, the preface, is found in Proverbs 1:1–7. The third section, chapters 10—22, were also written by Solomon. These proverbs were likely written by Solomon in his middle years, whereas he probably wrote Song of Songs in his early adulthood, and Ecclesiastes near the end of his life. As in the first two chapters, wisdom is stressed in Proverbs 3.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.