Proverbs 29:17

Pro 29:17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

Ver. 17. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest.] He will grow so towardly, that thou shalt with less ado rule him when grown up; or at least, thou shalt have peace within, in that thou hast used God’s means to mend him.

Yea, he shall give delight.] See Pro 10:1. The often urging this nurturing of children, shows that it is a most necessary, but much neglected duty.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

17 Correct thy son, and he will give thee delight,

And afford pleasure to thy soul.

The lxx well translates ויניחך by καὶ ἀναπαύσει σε;

(Note: Their translation of Pro 29:17 and Pro 29:18 here is found, in a marred and mutilated form, after Pro 28:17. At that place the words are καὶ ἀγαπήσει σε.)

הניח denotes rest properly, a breathing again, ἀνάψυξις; and then, with an obliteration of the idea of restraint so far, generally (like the Arab. araḥ, compared by Fleischer) to afford pleasure or delight. The post.-bibl. language uses for this the words נחת רוּח, and says of the pious that he makes נחת רוח to his Creator, Berachoth 17a; and of God, that He grants the same to them that fear Him, Berach. 29b; in the morning prayer of the heavenly spirits, that they hallow their Creator בנחת רוח (with inward delight). Write with Codd. (also Jaman.) and older editions ויניחך, not ויניחךּ; for, except in verbs 'ה'ל, the suffix of this Hiphil form is not dageshed, e.g., אמיתך, Kg1 2:26; cf. also Kg1 22:16 and Psa 50:8. מעדנּים the lxx understands, after Sa2 1:24 (עם־עדנים, μετὰ κόσμου), also here, of ornament; but the word signifies dainty dishes - here, high spiritual enjoyment. As in Pro 29:15 and Pro 29:16 a transition was made from the house to the people, so there now follows the proverb of the discipline of children, a proverb of the education of the people:

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

Note, 1. It is a very happy thing when children prove the comfort of their parents. Good children are so; they give them rest, make them easy, and free from the many cares they have had concerning them; yea, they give delight unto their souls. It is a pleasure to parents, which none know but those that are blessed with it, to see the happy fruit of the good education they have given their children, and to have a prospect of their well-doing for both worlds; it gives delight proportionable to the many thoughts of heart that have been concerning them. 2. In order to this, children must be trained up under a strict discipline, and not suffered to do what they will and to go without rebuke when they do amiss. The foolishness bound up in their hearts must by correction be driven out when they are young, or it will break out, to their own and their parents' shame, when they are grown up.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(Compare Pro 29:3, Pro 29:15; Pro 19:18).

give thee rest--peace and quiet (compare Pro 29:9).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest,.... Ease of mind, satisfaction and contentment, freedom from all anxious thoughts and cares; the correction being taken in good part, and succeeding according to wish and design;

yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul; by his tenderness to his parents, obedience to them, and respect for them; by his prudent behaviour among men; by his sobriety, diligence, and industry in his calling; by his fear of God, and walking in his ways; than which nothing can give a greater delight and pleasure to religious parents.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Rest; satisfaction to thy mind, and comfort in his amendment.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

17. Delight unto thy soul — Literally, delights, מעדנים, (ma’hadhannim,) from the same root as Eden; גן עדן, (gan ‘hedhen,) the garden of delights. “It may seem more easy and comfortable to let a child have his own wilful way, and troublesome to correct him for his faults; but this is only purchasing present ease at the expense of great future distress; therefore, however painful the duty, correct him when he needs it.” “By joining the rod with the reproof, the moral is sometimes better enforced.” — Chalmers.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; (Pro_19:18) Septuagint, anapausei se . He will be no longer a source of care and disquiet to you. Delight (maadanim); properly, dainty dishes, and then any great and special pleasure (comp. Ecc 30:1-12). Septuagint, "He shall give ornament (kosmon ) to thy soul." This verse and the following are presented by the Greek version in a mutilated form after Pro_28:17 (where see note).

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Once more the wise man returns to the subject of discipline. These repeated inculcations†1 strongly shew its importance. The command is positive — Correct thy son. How can an upright judgment evade or explain away a plain, literal rule? This book of Proverbs is not out of date. Like every other part of the Sacred Volume, it is the Book for every age; "given by inspiration of God; profitable for doctrine, and written for our learning."†2 To try therefore more self-pleasing rules, is to set up our will in opposition to God’s; reason or feeling in the stead of faith. It is making ourselves "wise above that which is written."

The measure and mode of correction indeed must depend upon the age, sex, temper of the child, the character, the aggravation, or the mitigated circumstances, of the fault. But let it be, like our gracious Father’s discipline, never more than can be borne.†3 Make due allowance for any marks of ingenuous confession. Yet with a wise application of the principle, there must be no exception to the rule. Different tempers, like different soils, require corresponding difference of treatment. But discipline there must be; not relaxed in fondness, not pushed on in harshness; but authority tempered with love.†4 If a gentle hand cannot control, a stronger hand must be applied.

We may take rest without correction; but such rest will bring trouble in the end. The true rest is that, which our child will give; and that he may give it, the rule is — Correct.†5 We may be assured, that God would not have so insisted upon it, if a blessing was not with it. If Eli was rejected, it was because in this matter he "honored his sons above God."†6 Those men "that honor him" above their sons "he will honor." Pain is the present exercise both to parent and child,†7 but the after blessing is secured. (Heb 12:11 .) Ground well tilled, trees carefully pruned, "bring forth more fruit."

Observe how the objection of parental weakness is anticipated. ’If I put my son to pain, will he not hate me?’ No — when "left to himself," he was a deep and anxious trouble. Now he shall give thee rest. Before — he "brought thee to shame." (Pro 29:15 .) Now he shall give delight to thy soul.†8 The momentary feelings of the child under correction will give way to the conviction of the parent’s wisdom and regard for his profit. (Heb 12:9 .)

Yet the rule against discouragement would not have been repeated, had there not been some parental evil to be corrected. "Provocation" revolts, transfers confidence to most unworthy associates, and brings into ruinous temptations. Children claim a considerate treatment. They must not be driven by brute force. Authority must be tempered with love. The grounds of extraordinary commands should be explained to them. What is good should be liberally commended. The best construction should be put upon defective efforts. The distinction should be carefully drawn between weakness and willfulness, between heedlessness and obstinacy. Home should be gladdened with the invigorating joy of spring, and replete with every wholesome indulgence. Every attempt should be made to gain confidence, so that the child, instead of a cold trembling reserve, should run into our arms. But in this glowing atmosphere, forget not God’s rule. The completeness of discipline is the father’s firmness combined with the mother’s tenderness; each infusing into the other the quality of each. A wise parent will put his seal to the testimony, that this well-disciplined education is the surest means of securing the children’s affection, gratitude, and reverence.

In fine — on this important subject so often enforced — we are not taught to believe without promises, or to obey without precepts. The Book of Proverbs exhibits cause and effect — the certain consequence of a given course of action, whether good or evil. It sets out promise and obligation — promise fulfilled in the way of obligation. The promised blessing to godly parental discipline is written in beams of living light. If the grace of the promise be lost, it is only by unbelief in the promise, or by a presumptuous confidence in it (separating the end from the means) such as brings shame in the issue. It is not that God is untrue, but that we are unfaithful. God has given the promise. Man either slights, rejects or abuses it. He attempts to put aside the Scripture by an appeal to experience, instead of proving the faithfulness of God by "the obedience of faith." The commands — the directions — the promises — the blessing — all are the Lord’s. Put his word to the test. The simplicity and perseverance of faith will be richly honored in his own best time and way.

Footnotes:

†1 Pro 29:15. Pro 13:24 ; Pro 19:18 ; Pro 22:15 ; Pro 23:13-14 .

†2 2Ti 3:16 . Rom 15:4 .

†3 Isa 27:8; Isa 57:16 . 1Co 10:13 .

†4 See Wis 6:17 .

†5 Compare Sir 30:2 .

†6 1Sa 2:29-30 . Contrast Gen 22:12 .

†7 Pro 15:10.

†8 Pro 23:13-16, Pro 23:24-25 .

Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

the one who keeps the law is blessed

This can be translated in active form. AT: "God will bless the one who keeps the law" (See: Active or Passive)

translationWords

discipline

rest

prophet

vision

law, laws

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.