Proverbs 13:24

24 He that spareth the rod, hateth his son; but he that loveth him, teacheth busily (but he who loveth him, busily teacheth him).

Proverbs 13:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 13:24

He that spareth his rod hateth his son
Who withholds or withdraws his rod of correction, which is in his hand, which he has power to use, and ought to exercise at proper times; he, instead of loving his son, may be said to hate him; for such fond love is no better than hatred; and, if he really hated him, he could scarcely do a more ill thing by him than not to correct him for a fault; which was the sin of good old Eli, and both he and his sons suffered for it; but he that loveth him;
that has a true love for his son, and a hearty concern for his welfare and future good; he will regulate his affections by his judgment, and not give way to a fond passion, to the prejudice of his child: but he chasteneth him betimes,
or "in the morning" F24; in the morning of his infancy, before vicious habits are contracted, or he is accustomed to sinning, and hardened in it; or as soon as a crime is perpetrated, before it is forgot or repeated: or every morning, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra; that is, continually, as often as it is necessary, or as faults are committed.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 (wrxv) "mane castigat eum", Munster; "matutinat ei disciplinam", Michaelis.

Proverbs 13:24 In-Context

22 A good man shall leave after him heirs, sons, and the sons of sons; and the chattel of a sinner is kept to a just man. (A good person shall leave heirs after him, yea, sons and daughters, and their sons and daughters; but a sinner's possessions shall be given to the righteous.)
23 Many meats be in the new-tilled fields of fathers; and be gathered to other men without doom. (Much food for the poor could be in untilled fields; but other men unjustly keep that land from being worked.)
24 He that spareth the rod, hateth his son; but he that loveth him, teacheth busily (but he who loveth him, busily teacheth him).
25 A just man eateth, and [ful]filleth his soul; but the womb of wicked men is unable to be filled. (The righteous eat, and fill their hunger; but the bellies of the wicked be unable to be filled.)

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Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.