{"id":622,"date":"2021-05-21T14:59:01","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T14:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/angelobiblestudy.com\/?page_id=622"},"modified":"2021-05-21T15:03:40","modified_gmt":"2021-05-21T15:03:40","slug":"children-and-the-rod-of-correction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/angelobiblestudy.com\/?page_id=622","title":{"rendered":"Children and The Rod of Correction"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Children and The Rod of Correction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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by Dave Miller, Ph.D.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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American civilization has undergone tremendous social shifting in the last fifty years in virtually every facet of its culture. This transformation is evident, for example, in the area of the family and parental discipline. From the beginning of this nation, most Americans have believed in the value of corporal punishment. This discipline has included spanking the child using a variety of instruments, including a \u201cswitch,\u201d paddle, razor strap, yardstick, belt, or hand. The last generation to have experienced this approach to parenting on a wide scale was the World War II generation. Due to the adverse influence of social liberals and alleged \u201cspecialists\u201d in human behavior and child psychology, the thinking of many Americans has now been transformed to the extent that corporal punishment has come to be viewed as \u201cchild abuse\u201d\u2014even by the judiciary.<\/p>

Make no mistake: genuine child abuse is taking place every day in America. Some parents are burning, torturing, and even killing their children. However, the\u00a0abuse<\/b>\u00a0of a good thing is no argument against its\u00a0legitimate<\/b>\u00a0and judicious use. Extreme behavior often elicits an extreme reaction. We must not \u201cthrow out the baby with the bathwater.\u201d Regardless of the superficial appeal of the arguments that are marshaled against spanking, those who recognize that the Bible is the inspired Word of God are more concerned with biblical insight regarding the matter. Does the Bible advocate or sanction the spanking of children?<\/p>

THE BIBLE\u2019S VIEWPOINT<\/b><\/h2>

Several verses refer explicitly to the use of corporal punishment in the rearing of children. The longstanding quip, \u201cSpare the rod and spoil the child,\u201d is undoubtedly a paraphrase of Solomon\u2019s words: \u201cHe who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly\u201d (Proverbs 13:24). This motif is repeated throughout Proverbs. For example, Solomon asserted \u201cfoolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him\u201d (22:15). This one statement is packed with meaning that merits deep and prolonged meditation and analysis. Most modern adolescent psychologists have not even begun to plumb its depths, let alone agree with it.<\/p>

Lest someone get the idea that Solomon used the term \u201crod\u201d figuratively, without intending to leave the impression that parents should actually strike their children with a rod, he clarified the target: \u201cDo not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell\u201d (23:13-14). A proper balance is obviously needed between verbal reproof\/encouragement on the one hand, and the application of corporal punishment on the other, as seen in the following words: \u201cThe\u00a0rod and reproof<\/b>\u00a0give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul\u201d (29:15,17, emp. added). The immense importance of the interplay between positive instruction, encouragement, and nurturing, in conjunction with appropriate physical punishment, cannot be overestimated nor successfully discounted.<\/p>

MEANING OF \u201cROD\u201d<\/b><\/h2>

But what did Solomon mean by \u201crod\u201d? The Old Testament uses primarily three Hebrew words to refer to a wooden stick:<\/p>

Maqqel<\/i>\u00a0refers to a tree branch that has been transformed into a riding crop (Numbers 22:27), a shepherd\u2019s staff (1 Samuel 17:40\u2014which Goliath called a \u201cstave\u201d or \u201cstick\u201d\u2014vs. 43), or a weapon of war (Ezekiel 39:9\u2014\u201cjavelin\u201d in the\u00a0NKJV). It is also used as a symbol of dominion (e.g., Jeremiah 48:17\u2014where it occurs in synonymous parallelism with\u00a0matteh<\/i>), and in its natural state as a branch of a poplar, chestnut, or almond tree (Genesis 30:37; Jeremiah 1:11) [see Harris, et al., 1980, 1:524; Botterweck, et al., 1997, 8:548-550].<\/p>

Matteh<\/i>\u00a0occurs 252 times and is used to refer to a branch, stick, stem, rod, shaft, staff, and most often a tribe (some 180 times). It can refer to a stick used to beat out cumin\/grain (Isaiah 28:27), a soldier\u2019s spear (1 Samuel 14:27), as well as the shaft of an arrow (Habakkuk 3:9,14) [Botterweck, et al., 8:241; Gesenius, 1847, pp. 466-467].<\/p>

Shevet<\/i>, the word used in Proverbs, refers to a staff, stick, rod, scepter, and tribe. Gesenius defined it as \u201ca staff, stick, rod\u201d and then showed how it is translated differently in accordance with the use to which it was put, whether for beating, striking, chastening (Isaiah 10:5,15), a shepherd\u2019s crook (Leviticus 27:32; Psalm 34:4), a king\u2019s scepter (Genesis 49:10; Amos 1:5,8), a tribe (Judges 20:2), a measuring rod, or a spear (2 Samuel 18:14) [p. 801; cf. Harris, et al., 2:897].<\/p>

Matteh<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0shevet<\/i>\u00a0are used together in Ezekiel 19:10-14 to refer to fresh tree branches. They are used in synonymous parallelism in Isaiah 28:27 as a stick used to beat out cumin\/grain: \u201cBut the black cumin is beaten out with a stick (matteh<\/i>), and the cumin with a rod (shevet<\/i>).\u201d They are unquestionably synonyms. If any distinction can be made between them, it is that\u00a0matteh<\/i>\u00a0is not used to refer to a scepter (see Harris, et al., 2:897; although Gesenius, pp. 466-467). However, both are used to refer to a stick or rod. In fact,\u00a0shevet<\/i>\u00a0is specifically referred to as a rod used for beating a human being: \u201cAnd if a man beats his servant or his maidservant with a rod\u2026\u201d (Exodus 21:20). As Isaacs noted: \u201cThe Heb[rew]\u00a0shebhet<\/i>\u00a0is the ordinary word for rod or club\u201d (1959, 4:2702; cf. McClintock and Strong, 1880, 9:57-58,401).<\/p>

In addition to the verses in Proverbs that refer specifically to spanking a child, several additional verses verify that literal striking of the body with a wooden stick is envisioned. For example, \u201cWisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding\u201d (Proverbs 10:13). \u201cA whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool\u2019s back\u201d (Proverbs 26:3). Obviously, the \u201crod\u201d is as literal as the \u201cwhip\u201d and \u201cbridle.\u201d The Psalmist declared: \u201cThen I will visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes\u201d (Psalm 89:32). Though speaking figuratively, the Psalmist aligned \u201crod\u201d with \u201cstripes.\u201d In passages where the term \u201crod\u201d is used figuratively, the figurative use presupposes the literal meaning (e.g., Job 9:34; 21:9; Isaiah 10:24; 11:4; 14:29; 30:31; Lamentations 3:1; Micah 5:1).<\/p>

CONCLUSIONS<\/b><\/h2>

In light of the linguistic data, the following conclusions are warranted:<\/p>

First, the three terms are essentially synonyms with no real distinction to be discerned between them. They are as generic, ambiguous, and flexible as their English counterparts. As Orr stated: \u201cLittle distinction can be drawn between the Heb[rew] words used for \u2018rod\u2019 and \u2018staff\u00a0\u2019\u00a0\u201d (1959, 4:2596; also Funderburk, 1976, 5:132). The commonality that exists between them is the fact that they all refer to a stick\/limb, i.e., a branch from a tree. In antiquity, scepters, spears, arrows, rods, staffs\/staves were all made out of wood, i.e., tree branches (cf. Ezekiel 19:11). Hence, the distinction between them was one of purpose\/function\u2014not source. It follows that size, i.e., thickness and length, would likewise have varied. The Hebrew words themselves possess no inherent indication regarding size.<\/p>

Second, the principle of spanking is clearly taught in Proverbs. This is beyond dispute. Since God would not approve of child abuse (cf. Colossians 3:21), it follows that whatever instrument is used for spanking, whether switch, yardstick, paddle, belt, razor strap, etc., should get the job done without inflicting inappropriate or unnecessary damage to the child\u2019s body. The \u201cswitch\u201d has much to commend it, and certainly coincides with the biblical texts on the subject. But good sense and personal judgment must be exercised in determining its size.<\/p>

In his comments on the Hebrew word for \u201crod,\u201d Hebrew scholar and Professor of Old Testament at Regents College, Bruce Waltke noted: \u201cThe rod was also used as an instrument for either remedial or penal punishment. \u2026In Prov[erbs] it is the symbol of discipline, and failure to use the preventive discipline of verbal rebuke and\u00a0the corrective discipline of physical punishment<\/b>\u00a0will end in the child\u2019s death\u201d (Harris, et al., 1980, 2:897, emp. added). The author of the apocryphal book, Ecclesiasticus, observed: \u201cHe who loves his son will whip him often, in order that he may rejoice at the way he turns out\u201d (May and Metzger, 1965, p. 166).<\/p>

Writing over one hundred years ago, professor W.F. Adeney offered a surprisingly current observation that has much to commend it:<\/p>

The primitive rigour of the Book of Proverbs is repudiated by modern manners. Not only in domestic training, but even in criminal law, people reject the old harsh methods, and endeavor to substitute milder means of correction. No doubt there was much that was more than rough, even brutal, in the discipline of our forefathers. The relation between father and child was too often lacking in sympathy through the undue exercise of parental authority, and society generally was hardened rather than purged by pitiless forms of punishment. But now the question is whether we are not erring towards the opposite extreme in showing more tenderness to the criminal than to his victim, and failing to let our children feel the need of some painful discipline. We idolize comfort, and we are in danger of thinking pain to be worse than sin. It may be well, therefore, to consider some of the disadvantages of neglecting the old-fashioned methods of chastisement (1950, 9:258-259).<\/p><\/blockquote>

REFERENCES<\/b><\/h2>

Adeney, W.F. (1950 reprint),\u00a0The Pulpit Commentary\u2014Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon<\/i>, ed. Spence, H.D.M. and J.S. Exell (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).<\/p>

Botterweck, G. Johannes, Helmer Ringgren, and Heinz-Josef Fabry, eds. (1997),\u00a0Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament<\/i>\u00a0(Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).<\/p>

Funderburk, G.B. (1976), \u201cRod,\u201d\u00a0The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible<\/i>, ed. Merrill Tenney (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan), 5:132-133.<\/p>

Gesenius, William (1847),\u00a0Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament<\/i>\u00a0(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker), 1979 reprint.<\/p>

Harris, R. Laird, Gleason Archer, Jr. and Bruce Waltke, eds. (1980),\u00a0Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament<\/i>\u00a0(Chicago, IL: Moody).<\/p>

Isaacs, Nathan (1956), \u201cSceptre,\u201d\u00a0International Standard Bible Encyclopedia<\/i>, ed. James Orr (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans), 4:2701-2702.<\/p>

May, Herbert and Bruce Metzger (1965),\u00a0The Oxford Annotated Bible With the Apocrypha<\/i>(New York, NY: Oxford University Press).<\/p>

McClintock, John and James Strong (1880),\u00a0Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature<\/i>\u00a0(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1970 reprint).<\/p>

Orr, James (1959), \u201cRod,\u201d\u00a0International Standard Bible Encyclopedia<\/i>, ed. James Orr (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans), 4:2596.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Children and The Rod of Correction by Dave Miller, Ph.D. American civilization has undergone tremendous social shifting in the last fifty years in virtually every facet of its culture. This transformation is evident, for example, in the area of the family and parental discipline. From the beginning of this nation, most Americans have believed in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-622","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpbf-post"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t