Proverbs 23:14 kjv
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 23:14 nkjv
You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 23:14 niv
Punish them with the rod and save them from death.
Proverbs 23:14 esv
If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.
Proverbs 23:14 nlt
Physical discipline
may well save them from death.
Proverbs 23 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prv 13:24 | Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. | Discipline shows love and care. |
| Prv 22:15 | Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. | Correction drives away foolishness. |
| Prv 29:15 | The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. | Discipline brings wisdom, lack brings shame. |
| Prv 29:17 | Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul. | Benefits of consistent discipline. |
| Heb 12:6 | For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. | God's fatherly discipline. |
| Heb 12:7 | It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. | Enduring discipline for growth. |
| Heb 12:8 | If you are left without discipline... then you are illegitimate children and not sons. | Discipline as mark of true sonship. |
| Heb 12:9 | Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us... how much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! | Earthly fathers as examples for divine discipline. |
| Deut 8:5 | Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you. | God's discipline mirrors fatherly care. |
| Ps 49:15 | But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. | Deliverance from Sheol (ultimate fate). |
| Ps 86:13 | For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. | God delivers from deepest destruction. |
| Hos 13:14 | I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. | God's redemptive power over death. |
| Jon 2:2 | "I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice." | Deliverance from life-threatening situation. |
| Lk 1:79 | ...to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. | Guidance from paths of death/darkness. |
| Gal 5:1 | For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. | Deliverance from destructive bondage. |
| Ps 34:19-20 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. | God's protection and deliverance. |
| 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 and teaching lead to life. |
| Prov 4:13 | Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. | Instruction as means to life preservation. |
| Col 1:13 | He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. | Spiritual deliverance from spiritual death. |
| Eph 2:1 | And you were dead in the trespasses and sins... | Spiritual death without intervention. |
| Jn 5:24 | Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life. | Passing from spiritual death to life. |
| Tit 3:3-5 | ...we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions... But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us... | God's rescue from foolish and destructive ways. |
| Rom 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. | Sin leads to death, salvation leads to life. |
Proverbs 23 verses
Proverbs 23 14 Meaning
This proverb instructs a parent or guardian not to withhold firm correction, symbolized by "the rod," from a child. The purpose of this discipline is profoundly redemptive: it is a loving act intended to divert the child from a destructive path that would otherwise lead to ultimate ruin, symbolized by "Sheol," signifying not just the grave but a life culminating in spiritual death and hopelessness.
Proverbs 23 14 Context
Proverbs 23:14 is part of a series of "sayings of the wise" (Prov 22:17 – 24:34), specifically falling within a section (verses 13-16) that directly addresses the importance of parental discipline for the long-term well-being of a child. This verse follows Prv 23:13, which states, "Do not withhold discipline from your son; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die." The immediate context reinforces that this is about firm, intentional, and even physical correction as an act of parental love and responsibility. Culturally, "the rod" was a recognized symbol of authority and correction, common in households, for shepherds, and even rulers, not necessarily implying abuse but a structured form of instilling wisdom and obedience. The alternative—neglecting correction—was seen as a path to personal and societal ruin, leading to a state synonymous with "Sheol." This wisdom challenges a natural inclination to avoid unpleasant confrontations, promoting instead a loving intervention that seems harsh but yields life-saving results.
Proverbs 23 14 Word analysis
- You: The implicit subject is the parent or instructor, emphasizing personal responsibility and active engagement in raising the child. This is a direct command.
- shall strike: Hebrew: takkennu (תַּכֶּנּוּ), from the root nakah (נָכָה), meaning "to strike, smite, beat." In this context, it denotes a purposeful and firm act of discipline, distinct from uncontrolled rage or abuse. It implies corrective, rather than punitive, action.
- him: Refers to the "son" mentioned in the preceding verse (Proverbs 23:13). The wisdom is specifically directed at training the younger generation.
- with the rod: Hebrew: baššebet (בַּשֵּׁבֶט). The "rod" is a multi-faceted symbol. Literally, it refers to a stick used for physical correction. Metaphorically, it represents the instrument of authority, guidance, and correction—it can imply verbal reproof, wise instruction, or firm boundaries. It's associated with a shepherd's staff for guidance and protection (Ps 23:4), underscoring care and not harm.
- and rescue: Hebrew: wattatsṣîl (וְתַצִּיל), from the root natsal (נָצַל), meaning "to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save." This verb emphasizes the purpose and positive outcome of the "striking." It highlights deliverance from imminent danger or ruin, portraying the discipline as an act of salvation.
- his soul: Hebrew: napšô (נַפְשׁוֹ). Nephesh in Hebrew denotes the whole being, the person's life, vitality, spirit, and essence. It is not merely the immaterial part, but the entire person, including their future, destiny, and spiritual state. Saving "his soul" means saving his entire person from destruction.
- from Sheol: Hebrew: miššĕ'ôl (מִשְּׁאוֹל). Sheol is the common Hebrew term for the grave or the underworld, the realm of the dead. In the context of Proverbs, it represents more than just physical death; it signifies a destructive way of life that leads to ruin, spiritual separation, eternal consequences, and utter hopelessness. It encapsulates the full negative outcome of unchecked folly and rebellion.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- You shall strike him with the rod: This phrase conveys the necessity of firm, loving intervention. The emphasis is on proactive discipline using appropriate means, not abuse. It reflects the idea that wisdom must sometimes be physically reinforced when mere words are insufficient.
- and rescue his soul from Sheol: This second clause clarifies the ultimate, benevolent purpose of the discipline. The core aim is not punishment for punishment's sake, but liberation from a self-destructive path that culminates in eternal death and separation. It highlights the profound, life-or-death stakes involved in proper child-rearing. The phrase implies a radical deliverance from spiritual and moral decay that would otherwise consume the child's entire being.
Proverbs 23 14 Bonus section
The concept of "Sheol" in Proverbs transcends mere physical death. While it is the abode of the dead, within the wisdom literature, a life lived apart from God's wisdom, marked by folly and rebellion, is itself a pathway "down to Sheol." Thus, saving from Sheol implies delivering a child from a life that is fundamentally ungodly, self-destructive, and ultimately without hope. This holistic view of salvation emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical behavior, spiritual state, and eternal destiny. The "rod" of discipline can also be interpreted symbolically as the "rod of God's Word" or wise counsel, indicating that the true discipline involves guiding the heart and mind according to divine truth. This Proverb stands as a stark reminder of the long-term, spiritual stakes inherent in seemingly simple acts of parental authority.
Proverbs 23 14 Commentary
Proverbs 23:14 succinctly presents a foundational principle of wise child-rearing: proactive and firm discipline, administered with the rod, serves a redemptive purpose, ultimately saving the child from a destructive destiny symbolized by Sheol. This is not about harshness but about heartfelt love that prevents ultimate ruin. The "rod" represents the authority and means of correction, which could include various forms of firm guidance, boundaries, and consequences, including physical. Its goal is to rescue the child's entire being, leading them towards wisdom and life, rather than allowing their folly to lead them to spiritual and existential death. This instruction aligns with God's own fatherly discipline (Heb 12:6), which is always aimed at the beloved child's eternal welfare. Without such intervention, children are left vulnerable to the inherent folly within them and the temptations of the world, leading to dire, potentially eternal, consequences.Examples for practical usage:
- A parent consistently sets and enforces bedtimes to instill discipline and prioritize rest, saving the child from a chaotic lifestyle leading to chronic sleep deprivation.
- Teaching a child the discipline of honest work and saving, protecting them from a future of financial debt and instability.
- Drawing firm boundaries for technology use to prevent addiction and social isolation, steering them toward real-world relationships and activities.