16:15

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

15a
When a king’s face brightens, there is life ;

15b
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

In contrast to the king’s wrath in 16:14, this verse describes the beneficial effects of the king’s approval.

16:15a

When a king’s face brightens, there is life: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as When a king’s face brightens is literally “in the light of a king’s face” (New Revised Standard Version). This means that the king smiles, showing approval, delight, or good favor toward someone. The smile is a sign that the person concerned will enjoy a good and prosperous life. The New Living Translation (2004) expresses this meaning as follows:

When the king smiles, there is life (New Living Translation (2004))

16:15b

his favor is like a rain cloud in spring: This line is a simile. In this simile, the king’s favor is compared to a cloud that brings rain. The similarity between the two is that both result in life. A king’s smile is a sign that his subjects will have a good life. A cloud that brings rain is a sign that the crops will live and there will be a good harvest.

It is important to remember that a rain cloud in spring may indicate different things in different parts of the world. Some languages may have a term that refers specifically to rain that comes during the growing season or before the harvest. If there is no specific term, it may be better to use a term that refers to rain in general. The point of this simile is the beneficial effects of the rain, not the timing of the rain.

The New Living Translation (1996) omits the reference to the cloud and the season of the year. But it makes explicit the beneficial nature of the rain. It has:

his favor refreshes like a gentle rain

You will need to decide which parts of the simile can be left implied and which parts need to be made explicit.

his favor: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as his favor refers to the king’s kindness or goodwill. (See the note on 11:27a.) It describes the inner attitude that corresponds to the outward facial expression in 16:15a.

rain cloud in spring: In Israel, the spring rain comes in March or April, and provides the moisture necessary to ripen the grain harvest.

General Comment on 16:15a–b

A king’s smile and rain both result in life. So some versions have reordered the phrase about life so that it comes at the end of the verse. For example:

When a ruler is happy and pleased with you, it’s like refreshing rain, and you will live. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The king’s favor is like the clouds that bring rain in the springtime—life is there. (Good News Translation)

Both of these versions have omitted a specific reference to the king’s face/smile. They also differ in what they make explicit in 16:15b. You will need to decide what expresses the meaning most effectively in your language.

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