Proverbs 29:17 kjv
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Proverbs 29:17 nkjv
Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
Proverbs 29:17 niv
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.
Proverbs 29:17 esv
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
Proverbs 29:17 nlt
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind
and will make your heart glad.
Proverbs 29 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:24 | Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. | Love necessitates discipline. |
| Prov 22:15 | Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from them. | Discipline expels foolishness. |
| Prov 23:13 | Do not withhold discipline from your children; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. | Discipline is not harmful. |
| Prov 23:14 | Punish them with the rod and save them from death. | Discipline leads to life. |
| Prov 23:24 | The father of a righteous child has great joy; a parent who has a wise child delights in them. | Joy from righteous children. |
| Prov 23:25 | May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be glad. | Gladness from well-raised children. |
| Prov 10:1 | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. | Contrast: Wise son brings joy. |
| Prov 17:21 | To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool. | Grief from foolish children. |
| Prov 17:25 | A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him. | Bitterness from foolish children. |
| Prov 15:20 | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. | Joy vs. despising parents. |
| Prov 28:7 | A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. | Discernment brings honor. |
| Prov 22:6 | Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. | Training for lifelong direction. |
| Prov 19:18 | Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. | Discipline offers hope. |
| Deut 6:6-7 | These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children… | Parents' duty to instruct. |
| Eph 6:4 | Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. | Nurturing discipline. |
| Col 3:21 | Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. | Balance in parental discipline. |
| Heb 12:5-6 | "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves..." | God's loving discipline. |
| Heb 12:11 | No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. | Benefits of discipline. |
| Ps 127:3 | Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. | Children as a blessing. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Foundation of wisdom. |
| Prov 4:1-2 | Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound instruction, do not abandon my teaching. | Exhortation to listen. |
| Prov 6:20 | My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. | Obedience to parental teaching. |
Proverbs 29 verses
Proverbs 29 17 Meaning
Proverbs 29:17 states that a parent who corrects their child will ultimately find rest and delight in that child. It emphasizes that diligent and proper discipline, instruction, and guidance bestowed upon a child lead to peace and joy for the parent in the long run. This verse presents a direct cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the beneficial outcome of parental wisdom and consistency in upbringing.
Proverbs 29 17 Context
Proverbs 29:17 is nestled within a chapter that frequently contrasts the wise and the foolish, and the righteous and the wicked. The preceding verses (29:15-16) speak of how a child left to himself brings shame, and how an increase in wicked people leads to transgression and grieving for the righteous. Verse 17 directly addresses the parental responsibility in shaping a child's character. The book of Proverbs is a collection of practical wisdom, primarily from Solomon, intended to teach its audience how to live a life pleasing to God and successful in the world. Its maxims are observational truths designed to guide behavior, especially concerning moral instruction, family relationships, and societal conduct within the ancient Israelite context. This specific verse emphasizes the long-term, tangible benefits of diligent child-rearing.
Proverbs 29 17 Word analysis
- Correct (יָסַר - yasar): This Hebrew word signifies much more than mere punishment. It means to discipline, instruct, admonish, educate, and chastise. It implies a comprehensive process of training, correction, and guidance aimed at teaching and bringing one to proper moral and spiritual understanding and conduct. It is often used in the context of God's discipline of His people (e.g., Ps 94:12; Jer 10:24). The root suggests shaping and forming.
- Your son (בִּנְךָ - binkha): "Son" (בֵּן - ben) often refers to a male child, but in wisdom literature, especially in the "My son" exhortations, it can also metaphorically represent a student, disciple, or child in a broader sense, encompassing both male and female offspring within the family structure. The direct address implies a personal responsibility.
- And he will bring you (וְיָנִיחַ לָךְ - v’yanuach lach): This is a direct causative phrase. "Bring you" implies an outcome or result directly flowing from the action of correction. The subject of the verb "bring" is the son, indicating that the corrected child, by their wise behavior, will provide this benefit to the parent.
- Rest (נוּחַ - nuach): This word conveys a sense of peace, tranquility, security, relief from trouble or vexation, and the cessation of struggle. It's not just physical rest but also a deep inner peace derived from the child's good character and conduct, meaning the parent will not be tormented by their child's poor choices or behaviors.
- And delight (מַעֲדַנִּים - maʿadannim): This word often translates to "pleasantness," "delicacies," or "dainties." In this context, it metaphorically means deep joy, pleasure, satisfaction, and rich gratification. It speaks to the emotional reward and inner happiness that come from having a well-behaved, respectful, and wise child who is a blessing rather than a burden.
- Correct your son: This phrase underscores the active and intentional role parents must play. It's a proactive measure, not merely reactive. The emphasis is on consistent training and steering the child away from harmful paths. This correction is a continuous process of instruction and discipline, foundational to shaping character.
- And he will bring you rest and delight: This consequence highlights the mutual benefit of discipline. The child, by accepting correction and maturing in wisdom, becomes a source of peace and joy for the parent. This outcome implies that the corrected child will make good decisions, avoid trouble, and honor their parents through their actions and character, leading to a calm and joyous family environment. The parents are spared the anxiety, shame, and weariness that often accompany the unruly or foolish behavior of undisciplined children.
Proverbs 29 17 Bonus section
This proverb, while specifically addressing parental discipline, resonates with the broader biblical principle that all faithful labor for righteousness, even if challenging in the present, will yield blessed and joyful outcomes in the future. It implicitly warns against indulgence and neglect, which are frequently linked to future parental sorrow in the wisdom literature. The "rest" provided by the well-disciplined child extends beyond emotional peace to a more ordered and harmonious household, contributing to the parent's reputation and legacy within the community. The emphasis on "delight" suggests a reciprocal joy, where the child's life lived in wisdom also brings them fulfillment, thus deepening the parent's happiness. This verse is not just a parental instruction but also a statement about the nature of wisdom itself—it brings order, peace, and pleasantness into life.
Proverbs 29 17 Commentary
Proverbs 29:17 offers a profound insight into the divine wisdom regarding parenting: proper, timely, and loving discipline is not a burden but an investment with an abundant return. The "correction" (yasar) detailed here transcends mere physical punishment; it encompasses consistent teaching, admonishment, and moral shaping of a child's character. This comprehensive guidance aims to instill godly values and practical wisdom. The promise of "rest" and "delight" is the tangible reward for parents. This rest is freedom from the anxieties, heartaches, and public shame associated with an undisciplined, rebellious, or foolish child. The delight refers to the deep satisfaction and joy derived from seeing one's child walk in wisdom, honor, and righteousness. This proverb is a powerful encouragement to parents to endure the often difficult and demanding work of raising children according to God's standards, assuring them that their diligent efforts will ultimately yield profound peace and gratification.