“Like cold water to a thirsty soul”: “Soul” (Hebrew nefesh) in the expression “thirsty soul” is probably to be understood as “throat.” Note Revised English Bible “Like cold water to the throat that is faint with thirst. . ..” In some languages it will be more natural to express this line as “. . . to a person who is thirsty.”

“So is good news from a far country”: For “good news” see 15.30. “A far country” need not refer to a territory or nation outside of Israel. Travel was often a dangerous undertaking, and so to learn that friends or family had arrived safely was refreshing to those who stayed at home. This sense of refreshing is the point of comparison in the simile.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .