Proverbs 15:30

The light of the eyes This is sometimes understood to mean the beaming eyes of kindly regard with which others look upon us (comp. the phrase "the light of the countenance," Psalms 4:6 [Hebrews 7]; Proverbs 16:15). "We all want to see that light in the eyes of our friends, which rejoices the heart," Horton. Occurring, however, in a proverb, the phrase may well have a wider meaning: whatever gives light acts as a luminary (the Heb. word is rather light-bearer, φωστήρ, comp. Genesis 1:14-16, than light, φῶς) to the eyes, casting light and brightness upon them, extends through them its influence to the heart; just as, in the following clause, whatever charms the ear (lit. good hearing), be it "good tidings," R.V., or the pleasant voice of a friend, or the tender accents of affection, or the sweet strains of music, refreshes and invigorates the whole bodily frame. By the gateway of the eye and of the ear alike the citadel of the heart may be reached for good.