Proverbs 23:14
in Proverbs 23Strike him with a rod, and you will deliver his soul from Sheol.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, And shalt deliver his soul from Sheol.
KJV
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
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This verse in Proverbs 23
Commentary
7 notes on this verseAs small children who are negligent in learning become more attentive and obedient after being punished by their teacher or tutor, and as they do not listen before the lash, but, after feeling the pain of a beating, hear and respond as though their ears were just recently opened, improving also in memory, so likewise with those who neglect divine doctrine and spurn the commandments. For, after they experience God's correction and discipline, then the commandments of God which had always been known to them and always neglected are most readily received as though by ears freshly cleansed.
This site's exposition
Apply your heart to instruction
on Proverbs 23:12-14
"Apply your heart to instruction" reopens the father's direct appeal. A child struck "with a rod, he will not die," and "you will deliver his soul from Sheol" states the stakes. The correction aims at the child's whole future more than at the moment's offense.
This site's exposition
deliver his soul from Sheol
Albert Barnes explains Sheol as the world of the dead, and the verse sets the rod against that end. The rod aims at the soul's rescue. Basil of Caesarea compares the believer under God's discipline, who at last hears commands long known and long neglected.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
If the evil will is always to be left to its own freedom, why are careless shepherds rebuked, and why is it said to them, "The wandering sheep you have not called back, that which was lost you have not sought"?
When someone presumes to commit a sin against God, he ought to suffer a monastic penance. This should be done in a kind and devout spirit, so that through rebuke he may be corrected in this life in such a way that he may not …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Thou shall beat him with the rod,....
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
Thou shalt beat him with the rod - A proper correction of children was a favourite point of discipline with Solomon. We have already seen how forcibly he speaks on this subject. See the notes on the places referred to in 1Co 5:5 (note).
The words behind it
6 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| אַ֭תָּה | ʾatah | you | H859 → | 1094 times |
| בַּשֵּׁ֣בֶט | bashevet | with the rod | H7626 → | 190 times |
| תַּכֶּ֑נּוּ | takenu | you will strike him | H5221 → | 499 times |
| וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ | venafsho | and life his | H5315 → | 754 times |
| מִשְּׁא֥וֹל | misheol | from Sheol | H7585 → | 66 times |
| תַּצִּֽיל׃ | tatzil | you will deliver | H5337 → | 212 times |
אַ֭תָּהyou
ʾatahH859 →1094 times
בַּשֵּׁ֣בֶטwith the rod
bashevetH7626 →190 times
תַּכֶּ֑נּוּyou will strike him
takenuH5221 →499 times
וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹand life his
venafshoH5315 →754 times
מִשְּׁא֥וֹלfrom Sheol
misheolH7585 →66 times
תַּצִּֽיל׃you will deliver
tatzilH5337 →212 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Corinthians 5:5hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.
it leads to
- 1 Timothy 1:20
Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15
Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.
- Galatians 6:1–2
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
- James 5:19–20
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
- Job 2:6
“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “He is in your hands, but you must spare his life.”
- 1 Timothy 1:20
Through
Proverbs 22:15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
it leads to
- Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
- Proverbs 29:15
A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
- Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
- Proverbs 13:24
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, LETTER 173; Basil of Caesarea, HOMILY ON THE BEGINNING OF PROVERBS 5; Caesarius of Arles, SERMONS 235:3; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.