The Meaning of Proverbs 25:25 Explained

Proverbs 25:25

KJV: As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

YLT: As cold waters for a weary soul, So is a good report from a far country.

Darby: As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

ASV: As cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

[As] cold  waters  to a thirsty  soul,  so [is] good  news  from a far  country. 

What does Proverbs 25:25 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 25:15-28 - Self-Control And Kindliness
In this paragraph we have good advice as to our dealings with the varied characters with whom we are forced into daily contact. Here is a man hard as a bone-try gentleness, for a soft tongue will win his heart, just because it finds a new and unexpected way of approach which no one else has tried for long years"¦. Beware of honeyed words; you may get stung."¦ Do not make yourself too common, or pry into your neighbor's affairs, or ask his help too often"¦. Keep clear of the tale-bearer."¦ Be very careful to whom you confide your troubles"¦. Vinegar poured on potash makes it effervesce; so joyous mirth is incongruous to a heavy heart"¦. Even if your love fails to meet your enemy, the Lord will reward you by revealing and communicating His own perfection, Matthew 5:43-48."¦ If you frown on a backbiter, you will silence him."¦ Do not give way to the wicked, lest you become a corrupted spring"¦. Rule over your spirit-nay, better, hand over its keys to Emmanuel, and let Him be crowned in Mansoul. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 25

1  observations about kings
8  and about avoiding causes of quarrels

What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:25 mean?

[As] water cold to a soul weary so [is] news good from a country far
מַ֣יִם קָ֭רִים עַל־ נֶ֣פֶשׁ עֲיֵפָ֑ה וּשְׁמוּעָ֥ה ט֝וֹבָ֗ה מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מֶרְחָֽק

מַ֣יִם  [As]  water 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
קָ֭רִים  cold 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: קַר  
Sense: cool.
נֶ֣פֶשׁ  a  soul 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: נֶפֶשׁ  
Sense: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion.
עֲיֵפָ֑ה  weary 
Parse: Adjective, feminine singular
Root: עָיֵף  
Sense: faint, exhausted, weary.
וּשְׁמוּעָ֥ה  so  [is]  news 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: שְׁמוּעָה  
Sense: report, news, rumour.
ט֝וֹבָ֗ה  good 
Parse: Adjective, feminine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ  from  a  country 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
מֶרְחָֽק  far 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֶרְחָק  
Sense: distant place, distance, far country.