Proverbs 29:15 kjv

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Proverbs 29:15 nkjv

The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 29:15 niv

A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

Proverbs 29:15 esv

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 29:15 nlt

To discipline a child produces wisdom,
but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

Proverbs 29 verses

Proverbs 29 15 Meaning

Proverbs 29:15 declares that intentional and corrective discipline, encompassing both physical guidance ("the rod") and verbal instruction ("reproof"), is essential for fostering wisdom in a child. Conversely, a child who is allowed to grow without proper instruction or restraint ("left to himself") will ultimately engage in actions that bring deep humiliation and sorrow upon his mother. This verse highlights the profound responsibility of parents in raising their children and the far-reaching consequences of their choices on the child's development and the family's honor.

Proverbs 29 15 Context

Proverbs chapter 29 forms part of the final collection of "the proverbs of Solomon" (Prov 25:1), interspersed with wisdom sayings about rulers and justice, as well as family and societal dynamics. This chapter frequently contrasts the righteous with the wicked, highlighting their respective consequences for a nation and household. Verse 15 fits into this broader context by emphasizing the importance of a well-ordered home as a microcosm of a well-ordered society. Historically, in ancient Israelite society, the family unit was central, and a child's character was seen as a direct reflection of the parents and their upbringing. Parental responsibility for moral and ethical instruction was paramount, reinforced by the covenant God had established with His people, which included the command to teach their children His ways. The "shame" brought upon the mother would have been a deeply significant societal and personal consequence, given the emphasis on familial honor.

Proverbs 29 15 Word analysis

• The rod (שבט, šebet):

  • Literal meaning: staff, club, stick, scepter, tribe.
  • Significance: In the context of discipline, it's not merely a brutal instrument but a tool for correction, guidance, and authority, much like a shepherd's staff guiding and correcting his sheep. It implies physical intervention that is firm but measured.
  • Database insight: This word is often associated with the exercise of authority, whether royal (scepter) or parental. Its use in Proverbs for discipline rarely implies abuse but rather controlled and necessary correction. It represents a tangible boundary or consequence.

• And reproof (ותוכחת, we-tôkaḥat):

  • Literal meaning: correction, rebuke, admonition, argumentation.
  • Significance: This refers to verbal instruction and correction. It emphasizes that discipline is not solely physical but critically includes communication, explanation, and moral teaching. It appeals to the child's reason and understanding.
  • Database insight: Wisdom literature highly values verbal instruction. Reproof is vital for knowledge acquisition and moral development (Prov 1:7, Prov 6:23). It implies a reasoning process, not just punitive action.

• Give wisdom (תתן חכמה, tittēn ḥokmâ):

  • Significance: "Give" indicates that wisdom is imparted or yielded as a direct result of receiving discipline. This isn't just about knowledge but practical discernment, skill in living, and moral rectitude—the ability to make right choices.
  • Words-group: "The rod and reproof give wisdom": This phrase combines the two methods of discipline—physical and verbal—showing they are meant to work in conjunction. Effective wisdom is fostered through both actions and words of correction, leading to true understanding and discernment. It suggests a balanced, comprehensive approach to upbringing.

• But a child (ונער, wə-na‘ar):

  • Literal meaning: boy, youth, lad, servant, attendant, young person.
  • Significance: Refers to an immature person, someone still under the care and instruction of parents, highlighting the vulnerability and malleability of youth. It emphasizes the critical stage of life when guidance is most needed.

• Left to himself (משלח, měšullaḥ):

  • Literal meaning: sent away, unrestrained, loosed, permitted to run free, abandoned.
  • Significance: This phrase powerfully describes parental neglect or the failure to provide proper guidance and restraint. It implies a lack of supervision, instruction, and moral boundaries, allowing the child to follow their own undeveloped impulses without correction.
  • Database insight: The Hebrew term conveys an active release or sending forth, indicating a conscious (or passively neglectful) decision not to engage in responsible parenting.

• Brings his mother to shame (יביש אמו, yabîsh 'immō):

  • Literal meaning: causes his mother to be ashamed/dishonored/disgraced.
  • Significance: This highlights the devastating emotional and social consequence of a neglected child's actions. In collectivist societies, a child's behavior reflected directly on the entire family, particularly the parents who were responsible for their upbringing. The mention of the mother specifically emphasizes her deep personal sorrow, disappointment, and social disgrace, as she bore the child and likely carried the primary caregiving responsibilities within the home.

• Words-group: "a child left to himself brings his mother to shame": This stark contrasting phrase illustrates the dire outcome of a lack of discipline. The consequence is deeply personal and specific, focusing on the mother who often carries the primary emotional burden and societal judgment when her child errs due to neglect. This consequence goes beyond mere social embarrassment to profound sorrow and personal dishonor.

Proverbs 29 15 Bonus section

The understanding of "the rod" in Proverbs needs careful biblical interpretation, distinguishing it from abuse. Scripture defines discipline as a loving, corrective process (Heb 12:6-11; Prov 13:24). The rod is presented not as a tool for wrathful punishment, but for guidance and protection (like a shepherd's rod, Ps 23:4) to prevent more severe consequences. It serves to break cycles of destructive behavior, teaching boundaries, and instilling a healthy respect for authority. This concept of disciplined upbringing (Hebrew: musar) is comprehensive, encompassing teaching, admonition, and correction—a holistic formation of character that integrates spiritual and practical wisdom, mirroring God's own fatherly musar towards His children. A society's future depends on the wisdom of its rising generation, underscoring that the home, through intentional discipline, lays the very foundation for societal health or decay.

Proverbs 29 15 Commentary

Proverbs 29:15 presents a fundamental principle of parental responsibility and child development: effective discipline is a two-fold endeavor involving both firm boundaries and direct instruction. The "rod" signifies authoritative correction, a boundary, or a consequence applied physically when necessary, not for harm, but for redirection. It symbolizes the exercise of authority and consistent, loving boundaries. "Reproof" complements this by representing the verbal dimension—teaching, explaining, rebuking, and guiding the child's understanding and conscience. Together, these methods impart wisdom, leading the child toward righteous living and practical discernment.

The stark contrast is drawn with the "child left to himself." This phrase does not mean literal abandonment but rather a lack of oversight, guidance, and correction. When a child is allowed to follow their own desires without moral constraint or instruction, their inherent foolishness (as acknowledged in other Proverbs, like Prov 22:15) flourishes, leading them down paths of ruinous behavior. The painful outcome is that such a child "brings his mother to shame." This isn't just social embarrassment; it's a deep-seated grief and personal dishonor for the one who invested heavily in bringing life into the world, bearing witness to their child's self-destructive path and the failure to fulfill their potential due to neglect. The verse emphasizes that love, not indifference, demands intentional, consistent discipline for the well-being of the child and the honor of the family.