Proverbs 23:13 kjv
Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
Proverbs 23:13 nkjv
Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 23:13 niv
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
Proverbs 23:13 esv
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 23:13 nlt
Don't fail to discipline your children.
The rod of punishment won't kill them.
Proverbs 23 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:24 | He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. | Discipline as an act of love. |
| Prov 19:18 | Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. | Discipline prevents destruction/death. |
| Prov 22:15 | Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. | Rod as means to remove foolishness. |
| Prov 29:15 | The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. | Discipline brings wisdom; neglect brings shame. |
| Prov 29:17 | Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul. | Discipline brings peace and joy. |
| Deut 8:5 | Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. | God's discipline mirrors parental care. |
| Heb 12:7-8 | It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons... For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? | God's fatherly discipline. |
| Heb 12:10 | ...[God] disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. | Discipline's purpose: good and holiness. |
| Heb 12:11 | For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. | Discipline is painful but yields righteousness. |
| Job 5:17 | Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. | God's discipline is a blessing. |
| Ps 89:32 | then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with blows. | Rod as divine judgment/discipline. |
| 1 Sam 3:13 | For I told him that I would punish his house forever for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. | Consequences of parental failure to discipline. |
| Eph 6:4 | Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. | Discipline as part of Lord's training. |
| Prov 4:1 | Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight. | Broader concept of instruction. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Value of instruction (includes discipline). |
| Prov 6:23 | For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life. | Discipline as a path to life. |
| Rev 3:19 | Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; so be zealous and repent. | Discipline rooted in love. |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. | God's word for instruction and correction. |
| Prov 15:32 | Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. | Benefits of accepting reproof/discipline. |
| Prov 20:30 | Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes purify the inner parts. | Physical discipline to purge evil. |
| Prov 23:14 | You will strike him with the rod and save his soul from Sheol. | Directly affirms the rod saves from death/hell. |
Proverbs 23 verses
Proverbs 23 13 Meaning
Proverbs 23:13 instructs parents not to refrain from disciplining their child, specifically mentioning the use of the "rod." The verse provides assurance that such physical correction will not cause the child to die, but rather serves to guide them away from harmful paths and towards life. It underscores that proper discipline is an act of love and a necessary component of wise upbringing.
Proverbs 23 13 Context
Proverbs 23:13 is situated within a collection of thirty sayings from the wise to their disciples or sons, imparting wisdom for living a godly life. The chapter itself offers practical admonitions against various pitfalls such as greed, gluttony, and dishonesty, contrasting them with the pursuit of wisdom. Verses 13-14 specifically address the crucial role of parental discipline. Historically and culturally in ancient Israel, parental authority was fundamental to society. The family was the primary unit for moral and spiritual education. Discipline, encompassing instruction and correction, was understood not as arbitrary punishment but as a vital part of preparing a child for a responsible and righteous life within the community and before God. There was no contemporary polemic against the concept of discipline itself; rather, the wisdom literature consistently upheld its necessity, often implying that failure to discipline leads to the child's ruin and disgrace for the family (a potential polemic against overly lenient parenting).
Proverbs 23 13 Word analysis
- Do not withhold: The Hebrew verb is al-timna‘ (אַל-תִּמְנַע), a strong prohibition indicating an active restraint from an expected action. It implies a moral obligation or duty to perform discipline, contrasting sharply with passive neglect.
- discipline: The Hebrew word is musar (מוּסָר). This is a broad and comprehensive term that refers to instruction, moral training, admonition, correction, and often, by extension, the means by which that instruction or correction is delivered, including physical chastisement. It encompasses a holistic upbringing intended to shape character and guide towards wisdom and righteousness. It is distinct from arbitrary punishment and is rooted in love and the desire for the child's well-being.
- from a child: The Hebrew word is na‘ar (נַעַר), which can refer to a boy or young person, often an adolescent, but also simply a child under parental authority. It is not limited to infancy, but points to a stage where guidance and correction are crucial for shaping future conduct.
- if you punish him: The phrase "if you punish him" translates ki takennu (כִּי תַכֶּנּוּ). Takennu comes from the verb nakah (נָכָה), which means "to strike" or "to hit." The "if" implies that the act is not a constant, but a necessary measure when needed. It describes the physical action component of discipline.
- with the rod: The Hebrew term is bashevet (בַּשֵּׁבֶט), where shebet (שֵׁבֶט) means "rod," "staff," "scepter," or even "tribe." In this context, it symbolizes authority, correction, and a shepherd's guiding stick. It represents a tool for physical correction, distinct from brutal beating. It suggests firm, purposeful, and controlled use, often to bring a child back into alignment with parental guidance, much like a shepherd uses a staff to guide or correct sheep.
- he will not die: The Hebrew is lo yamut (לֹא יָמוּת). This is a definitive statement, assuring the parent that such discipline will not result in physical death. More profoundly, in the context of Proverbs, "death" can also signify moral ruin, destruction of potential, or spiritual perishing (e.g., Prov 1:32; 10:21). Thus, the phrase implicitly contrasts temporary physical discomfort with enduring life and righteousness, emphasizing that discipline is life-preserving in a broader sense, saving the child from paths that lead to true destruction.
Proverbs 23 13 Bonus section
The "rod" as described in Proverbs should always be understood within the context of loving, parental discipline (musar), distinct from abusive violence. It signifies correction and guidance aimed at teaching and protecting, not inflicting harm for harm's sake. The wisdom literature consistently links such discipline to "life," "wisdom," and "righteousness," implying its goal is always the child's ultimate welfare. This perspective reinforces that true discipline flows from love and a deep concern for the child's soul, striving to redirect their will towards what is good and wise. The parent acts as God's representative in shaping the child, just as God disciplines those He loves.
Proverbs 23 13 Commentary
Proverbs 23:13 articulates a fundamental principle of biblical parenting: active, corrective discipline is not only permissible but essential for a child's flourishing. The "rod" mentioned is a symbol of parental authority and the application of physical correction, understood as a measured and purposeful act within the broader context of "musar" (holistic instruction). The core message is that loving parents must not shy away from using the necessary means, including physical ones, to correct their child's wayward behavior. The assurance "he will not die" is crucial, challenging the notion that discipline is inherently harmful. Instead, it promises that judicious discipline safeguards the child's well-being, protecting them from a path that would lead to ruin, moral decay, or spiritual death. This verse highlights that effective discipline, though sometimes painful in the moment, is an expression of love, designed to impart wisdom, prevent folly, and ultimately lead the child towards life and righteousness, reflecting God's own disciplinary care for His children.