Proverbs 14:30 Meaning and Explanation
“A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A peaceful heart gives life to the body; envy rots the bones from within.
The Context of Proverbs 14:30
Proverbs recognizes the physical and spiritual consequences of emotional states.
What Does Proverbs 14:30 Mean?
A heart at peace—tranquil, content, rightly ordered—brings health and vitality to the whole body. The peace is not just in the mind but manifests in physical well-being. The sound heart is life-giving; it animates and sustains. This is not about denial but about genuine inner peace that comes from contentment and right relationship.
Envy, by contrast, is corrosive. It eats from within like rot in bone. The person consumed by envy over what others have cannot find rest. His inner corruption spreads through his whole being—affecting health, affecting relationships, affecting everything. Envy is self-inflicted suffering; it is how we choose to rot ourselves from the inside.
Proverbs 14:30 in the Original Language
envy (קִנְאָה, qin'ah) — burning jealousy over another's good; destructive emotion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 14:30
What does Proverbs 14:30 mean?
A peaceful heart gives life to the body; envy rots the bones from within.
What is the context of Proverbs 14:30?
Proverbs recognizes the physical and spiritual consequences of emotional states.