This Proverb (and the later version of it by Samuel Butler) has been the base upon which we have justified the physical punishment of children (typically spanking). This is where I diverge from what has been the common understanding in the church for a long while.
However, I believe the better understanding is that of the shepherd's rod. Although obviously parents who use spanking as discipline wouldn't consider it "beating," understanding "rod" in this manner from a context like Proverbs 13:24 would best equate to the usage of the common rod for hitting a slave. The question that remains, then, is under what circumstances a verse like Proverbs 13:24 is using the word "rod." The two most viable options in my opinion is: 1) the rod used as an instrument of work, with common rods often used for beating slaves, or 2) the shepherd's rod (i.e.
Shepherd Staff/Crook - In the context of shepherding. Genesis 49:10.Ĭlub/Mace - In the context of battle, war, or fighting (typically still translated as "Rod" in the Old Testament). Scepter - In the case of ceremony or ruling. In the particular case of Exodus 21:20, it was used to punish a slave (considered a person's property). Rod - In the case of some sort of work being done Eg. Removing "tribe" from the discussion, we can break down the way the word was used based upon the contexts it was used: The final usage is "shepherd staff" or "shepherd crook." It was a sign of authority and rulership. The word could also mean "scepter." This was more ornamental and ceremonial. The word could be used more specifically to mean a weapon of some sort, like "javelin," "club," or "mace." In these instances, it was often still translated as rod. This rod was something many would carry around as a tool to do many things. The next most numerous is a "(thin) rod" typically made of metal or wood and was a small instrument used for beating seed, and also at times as an instrument to hit (see Exodus 21:20). Most frequently it actually means "tribe." This usage is wholly different from the "rod" scenario encountered in Proverbs. It occurs 190 times in the Old Testament, and depending on the context can mean numerous things: To gain a clear perspective on what the Bible teaches, it is necessary to take a look at the word "rod" in the Hebrew, šēbeṭ (kind of pronounced like shave it). See Proverbs 19:18, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 29:15, and especially Proverbs 23:13-14 (though this one is better translated as "servant" or "young man," not child).
However, it is clearly built upon Proverbs 13:24: "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." A number of other Proverbs are cited when talking about this issue as well. The phrase "Spare the rod, spoil the child" is often thought to be a proverb from the Bible, but it actually comes from a guy named Samuel Butler in a 1662 poem. Too many children, it seems to me, are very much lacking in discipline. In my own parenting, I see some that is good and some not so good. Having 3 children of my own, I see a lot of parents interacting with children. In this post, I want to talk about recovering the biblical mandate for proper discipline of children.