Proverbs 19:18 kjv

Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

Proverbs 19:18 nkjv

Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

Proverbs 19:18 niv

Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

Proverbs 19:18 esv

Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

Proverbs 19:18 nlt

Discipline your children while there is hope.
Otherwise you will ruin their lives.

Proverbs 19 verses

Proverbs 19 18 Meaning

This proverb instructs parents to actively and lovingly discipline their children while they are still young and receptive to correction, emphasizing the critical window of opportunity for shaping character. It strongly warns against misguided parental softness or sentimentalism that, swayed by a child's immediate emotional reaction, allows the child to go undisciplined. True love for a child seeks their long-term well-being and salvation from a destructive path, which withholding discipline would otherwise permit.

Proverbs 19 18 Context

Proverbs 19 is a diverse collection of wisdom sayings, emphasizing themes like justice, integrity, diligence, humility, and the contrast between wisdom and folly. Verse 18 is part of a larger section addressing domestic wisdom and proper child-rearing within the household. It stands as a firm admonition against passive or permissive parenting, advocating instead for proactive and timely intervention. The broader biblical context positions parental discipline not as an act of anger or punishment, but as a vital expression of love and a means to instill wisdom and preserve a child from moral and spiritual ruin. Historically, in ancient Israel, the family unit was foundational to society, and the responsibility of parents to pass on faith and wisdom was paramount. Discipline, often involving physical correction (the "rod" as a symbol of authority and guidance), was seen as a necessary part of this upbringing, ensuring the child grew into a responsible, righteous member of the community. This was crucial for survival and maintaining the covenant relationship with God.

Proverbs 19 18 Word analysis

• Chasten (יַסֵּר - yassêr): From the Hebrew root יסר (yasar), meaning "to discipline," "to instruct," "to admonish," "to correct." This word carries the nuance of guiding, training, and bringing to an ordered state. It is not merely punitive but remedial and preventative, aiming at the child's moral and spiritual development. It implies correction by instruction, warning, and at times, physical correction.
• Your son (בִּנְךָ - binḵā): Refers directly to one's male offspring. Proverbs often uses "my son" to address the reader, symbolizing the teacher-student relationship and highlighting the parent's specific and personal responsibility for their own child's upbringing.
• While there is hope (כִּי־יֵשׁ תִּקְוָה - kî-yēš tiqwāh): "Hope" (תִּקְוָה - tiqwāh) implies an opportunity for positive change, improvement, and ultimate well-being. This phrase stresses the critical window of time when a child's character is still pliable and habits can be formed or broken. Discipline is most effective when administered early, before negative patterns become entrenched and the child's heart hardens. It emphasizes urgency and the possibility of a beneficial outcome.
• Do not let your soul spare him for his crying (וְאֶל־הֲמִיתוֹ אַל־תִּשָּׂא נַפְשֶׁךָ - wəʾel-hămîṯô ʾal-tiśśāʾ napšěḵā):
  • וְאֶל־הֲמִיתוֹ (wəʾel-hămîṯô): Literally means "and to his dying" or "to his destruction." The root here is מוּת (mûṯ), "to die" or "to kill." In this context, it is widely interpreted to refer to spiritual, moral, or societal ruin, not literal physical death at the hands of the parent. The consequence of neglecting discipline is the child's eventual "death" or ruin through folly and sin.
  • אַל־תִּשָּׂא נַפְשֶׁךָ (ʾal-tiśśāʾ napšěḵā): "Do not lift up your soul" or "do not set your desire/inclination." "Nefesh" (נַפְשֶׁךָ) refers to one's self, desires, or emotions. This phrase is idiomatically understood as "do not be swayed by," "do not give in to," or "do not consent to."
  • Combined meaning: Do not be inclined or desirous towards his ruin (by withholding discipline due to immediate discomfort or misplaced pity). It directly addresses the parental tendency to avoid discomfort (like a child's cries) and the warning that such leniency ultimately leads to the child's moral demise. "Sparing him for his crying" implies that a parent's desire for immediate peace or fear of upsetting the child must not override the crucial act of correction necessary for the child's long-term benefit.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Chasten your son while there is hope: This phrase highlights the urgency and purpose of discipline. It is a time-sensitive duty. Discipline is not a punishment out of anger but a form of loving instruction and training, proactively molding the child's character before it solidifies into harmful patterns. It conveys an optimistic outlook that discipline can change a child's path towards wisdom.
• Do not let your soul spare him for his crying: This part serves as a powerful warning against misplaced compassion or emotional weakness in parenting. It exposes the temptation to prioritize short-term comfort (silencing a child's cries) over the long-term character development of the child. The "crying" symbolizes the child's immediate emotional reaction to discipline, which a parent must be firm enough to endure for the child's ultimate good. To "spare" here is to allow the child to continue unchecked on a destructive path.

Proverbs 19 18 Bonus section

This proverb serves as a polemic against overly permissive parenting philosophies that were, and continue to be, tempting throughout history. It directly counters the notion that discipline is inherently harmful or that love means always appeasing a child's immediate desires. The biblical understanding of discipline (from yasar) is holistic, encompassing instruction, correction, and training for life, far removed from punitive anger or abuse. The wisdom here points to the reality that uncorrected folly in childhood inevitably blossoms into greater societal and personal issues in adulthood. It suggests that allowing a child to run wild, often termed "spoiling," is ultimately an act of cruelty in the long run, setting them on a path toward moral "destruction" or inability to thrive responsibly within God's created order. This principle is not unique to parenting but extends to all forms of authority entrusted with guiding others, recognizing that true care involves corrective measures for the long-term health and growth of the one being guided.

Proverbs 19 18 Commentary

Proverbs 19:18 is a concise yet profound directive on the art of biblical parenting. It emphasizes that discipline is a vital, loving responsibility, not an optional punitive measure. The phrase "while there is hope" underscores the limited window of a child's formative years when their character is still pliable and responsive to guidance. This period offers the greatest opportunity to impart wisdom, moral understanding, and self-control. To delay or avoid discipline is to squander this precious chance, leading to potentially irreparable harm to the child's future. The verse's stark warning, "do not let your soul spare him for his crying," challenges the common human inclination to avoid confrontation or discomfort. Parental love is not passive indulgence; it requires courage to administer necessary correction, even when met with tears or protests, understanding that such fleeting distress prevents much greater future sorrow and ruin. True parental love looks beyond immediate emotional gratification (both the child's and the parent's) to the child's enduring spiritual and moral well-being. It recognizes that failing to discipline effectively sentences a child to a life characterized by folly and potential self-destruction. This wisdom is a reflection of God's own perfect fatherly discipline, as He chastens those He loves for their ultimate good.Examples: A child repeatedly leaving toys everywhere: Instead of simply picking them up to avoid a tantrum ("sparing for crying"), a parent disciplines by setting consequences for not cleaning up ("chastening while there is hope"). A teenager exhibiting disrespect: Instead of ignoring it to maintain peace, a parent confronts the behavior, explaining expectations and consequences ("chastening") because their future respect for authority depends on it.