Proverbs 29:17
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Original Language Analysis
יַסֵּ֣ר
Correct
H3256
יַסֵּ֣ר
Correct
Strong's:
H3256
Word #:
1 of 6
to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct
בִּ֭נְךָ
thy son
H1121
בִּ֭נְךָ
thy son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 6
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וִֽינִיחֶ֑ךָ
and he shall give thee rest
H5117
וִֽינִיחֶ֑ךָ
and he shall give thee rest
Strong's:
H5117
Word #:
3 of 6
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
וְיִתֵּ֖ן
yea he shall give
H5414
וְיִתֵּ֖ן
yea he shall give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 6
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Proverbs 29:15The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.Proverbs 13:24He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.Proverbs 10:1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.Proverbs 19:18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.Proverbs 22:15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Historical Context
Israelite parenting viewed child-rearing as covenant responsibility—raising the next generation to fear YHWH and walk in Torah. Parental authority was backed by community and religious expectation. The proverb promises that faithful correction, though difficult, produces both social stability (rest) and personal satisfaction (delight) for parents.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise of 'rest' and 'delight' motivate you to engage in the difficult work of correction and discipline?
- What changes when you view discipline not as punishment but as investment in future joy?
- How have you experienced either the rest that comes from faithful correction or the turmoil that comes from neglecting it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest (יַסֵּר בִּנְךָ וִינִיחֶךָ)—the imperative yaser means discipline, chasten, correct. The result is rest (vinicheka)—peace, quietness, relief from anxiety. An undisciplined child produces parental turmoil; a corrected child brings tranquility. Yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul (וְיִתֵּן מַעֲדַנִּים לְנַפְשֶׁךָ)—he will provide delights (ma'adanim, pleasures, dainties) to your soul.
This reverses verse 15's shame. Faithful discipline yields multi-generational blessing—the joy of seeing children walk in wisdom. John echoed this: 'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth' (3 John 1:4). The investment of correction produces the harvest of delight. Conversely, Eli's failure to correct his sons resulted in catastrophic grief (1 Samuel 4).