Proverbs 29:21 kjv

He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

Proverbs 29:21 nkjv

He who pampers his servant from childhood Will have him as a son in the end.

Proverbs 29:21 niv

A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent.

Proverbs 29:21 esv

Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir.

Proverbs 29:21 nlt

A servant pampered from childhood
will become a rebel.

Proverbs 29 verses

Proverbs 29 21 Meaning

Proverbs 29:21 cautions against excessive indulgence and leniency towards a subordinate, specifically a servant raised from childhood with undue pampering. The verse teaches that such an upbringing, lacking appropriate discipline and boundaries, will not foster loyalty or gratitude, but will instead result in the servant becoming presumptuous, entitled, rebellious, or demanding the rights and status of a natural-born son. This outcome leads to disorder and difficulty for the master of the house, indicating that inappropriate favor can lead to ingratitude and defiance rather than a healthy, respectful relationship.

Proverbs 29 21 Context

Proverbs 29 focuses on wisdom regarding leadership, justice, and the impact of parental guidance. It contrasts the just ruler with the wicked, and the wise individual with the fool. Verses surrounding 29:21 specifically highlight the importance of discipline (Prov 29:15, 17) for children, lest they bring shame. In this context, verse 21 extends the principle of proper authority and discipline to the master-servant relationship, demonstrating that undue leniency creates disorder and negative consequences, much like neglecting to discipline one's own child. Historically, in ancient Israelite society, household servants (both Hebrew and foreign) were a common feature, integral to family life but distinctly subordinate. Maintaining the societal hierarchy and order was considered vital for stability. While servants were to be treated justly and humanely, their roles and expectations were distinct from those of a natural-born son. The verse indirectly advises against actions that blur these divinely ordered social distinctions without just cause or merit, advocating for wisdom in managing household roles.

Proverbs 29 21 Word analysis

• He who delicately brings up: Hebrew: מְפַנֵּק (məfannēq). This is from the root פנק (P-N-Q), meaning "to pamper," "to coddle," "to spoil," "to fondle." It denotes an upbringing characterized by excessive softness, indulgence, and lack of strict discipline. It's more than just providing for; it's catering excessively, often without demanding responsibility in return.

• his servant: Hebrew: עֶבֶד (`eved). This term denotes a "servant," "slave," or "bondservant." In the ancient world, a servant was a subordinate, typically bound to a master by debt, purchase, or birth, occupying a clear social and legal position distinct from that of a son.

• from childhood: Hebrew: מִנֹּעַר (minnōʿar). This phrase indicates "from youth" or "from tender age." The long duration of the pampering emphasizes that this indulgence began early, allowing undesirable character traits of entitlement and disrespect to become deeply ingrained over time.

• will in the end have him: Hebrew: וְאַחֲרִיתוֹ (wəʾaḥărîtô). Literally, "and his latter end" or "and his destiny." This highlights the eventual, predictable outcome or consequence of the specified manner of upbringing. It suggests a future state or ultimate result.

• as a son: Hebrew: מָנוֹן (mānôn). This word is complex and debated, with significant implications for interpretation. Common understandings are:

  1. "A son" or "heir": As in the Septuagint, Vulgate, KJV, ESV, NASB. This suggests the pampered servant will act with the presumption of a son, demanding the privileges without the responsibilities, or even seeking to usurp the son's place or rights. It implies an undeserved status claim and resulting misbehavior.
  2. "Complainer" or "Ungrateful one": Derived from a root suggesting "moaning" or "lamenting." This points to the servant becoming discontent, ungrateful, and a source of constant complaint or trouble.
  3. "Rebel" or "Rampant": As interpreted by the NIV. This implies that without proper boundaries and discipline, the servant's behavior will grow unruly and rebellious, showing no respect for authority.Regardless of the precise translation of manon, the underlying meaning conveyed across all interpretations is consistently negative: pampering a subordinate leads to undesirable outcomes such as presumption, ingratitude, disrespect, and rebellion, undermining the established order and creating hardship for the master.

• He who delicately brings up his servant from childhood: This phrase together emphasizes the dangerous combination of prolonged, indulgent treatment applied to someone in a subordinate position. It speaks to a profound blurring of appropriate hierarchical boundaries through misguided kindness.

• will in the end have him as a son/complainer/rebel: This phrase points to the inevitable, negative consequence. The indulgence does not create a filial bond of love and loyalty but rather produces someone who causes trouble due to perceived entitlement, rebellion, or constant discontent. It warns against expecting positive filial affection from methods that subvert proper order and discipline.

Proverbs 29 21 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "delicately brings up," məfannēq, suggests a high degree of luxury and tenderness, a treatment usually reserved for a cherished child within affluent families, not a servant. The negative outcome therefore arises from the inappropriate application of this kind of spoiling care to a subordinate role, breaking the social norm. While this proverb addresses a master-servant dynamic, its underlying wisdom is broadly applicable across various relational contexts where hierarchy exists. It underscores the biblical principle found throughout Proverbs: that true love and responsible leadership involve corrective discipline and the establishment of clear, healthy boundaries, fostering humility and order rather than presumption and chaos. The contrast with Proverbs 17:2 is particularly sharp: a servant who wisely manages affairs can indeed attain respect and high position, sometimes even over a dishonorable son; this verse implies a servant rising through earned merit and loyalty, standing in stark contrast to one whose undue elevation stems solely from excessive and unwise pampering by a lenient master.

Proverbs 29 21 Commentary

Proverbs 29:21 delivers a stark warning against misplaced indulgence and undiscerning generosity, particularly in relationships involving authority and submission. The core message is that an over-pampered upbringing of a subordinate does not lead to a better, more grateful servant, but rather to one who behaves as if entitled, possibly even claiming the rights and disrespecting the authority reserved for a natural heir. The emphasis is on the long-term, negative consequence—"in the end"—demonstrating that leniency without the necessary discipline or clear boundaries produces a rebellious or problematic individual.

This principle extends beyond literal master-servant relationships to other spheres of life. It speaks to parenting, warning against spoiling children to the point where they become ungrateful and disrespectful. It also applies to mentorships or employer-employee relationships, cautioning against a lax approach that allows subordinates to overstep boundaries and abuse their position. The wisdom of the proverb lies in its recognition that true leadership and love require firm, consistent discipline and clear expectations, rather than excessive coddling that can foster arrogance and undermine proper order. It highlights the potential for generosity to backfire if not tempered with discernment and an understanding of human nature, leading to instability rather than harmony in the household or organization.