Proverbs 29:17

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

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

29:11. He is a fool who tells every thing he knows, and can keep no counsel. 12. One who loves flatterers, and hearkens to slanderers, causes his servants to become liars and false accusers. 13. Some are poor, others have a great deal of deceitful riches. They meet in the business of this world; the Lord gives to both the comforts of this life. To some of both sorts he gives his grace. 14. The rich will look to themselves, but the poor and needy the prince must defend and plead for. 15. Parents must consider the benefit of due correction, and the mischief of undue indulgence. 16. Let not the righteous have their faith and hope shocked by the increase of sin and sinners, but let them wait with patience. 17. Children must not be suffered to go without rebuke when they do amiss. 18. How bare does a place look without Bibles and ministers! and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls! That gospel is an open vision, which holds forth Christ, which humbles the sinner and exalts the Saviour, which promotes holiness in the life and conversation: and these are precious truths to keep the soul alive, and prevent it from perishing.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Left to himself - The condition of one who has been pampered and indulged. The mother who yields weakly is as guilty of abandoning the child she spoils, as if she cast him forth; and for her evil neglect, there shall fall upon her the righteous punishment of shame and ignominy.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

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

give thee rest—peace and quiet (compare Pr 29:9).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

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

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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.

Geneva Study Bible

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

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest (Proverbs 19:18); Septuagint, ἀναπαύσει σε. 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. Ecclus. 30:1-12). Septuagint, "He shall give ornament (κόσμον) to thy soul." This verse and the following are presented by the Greek version in a mutilated form after Proverbs 28:17 (where see note). Proverbs 29:17

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

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 Proverbs 29:17 and Proverbs 29:18 here is found, in a marred and mutilated form, after Proverbs 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, 1 Kings 2:26; cf. also 1 Kings 22:16 and Psalm 50:8. מעדנּים the lxx understands, after 2 Samuel 1:24 (עם־עדנים, μετὰ κόσμου), also here, of ornament; but the word signifies dainty dishes - here, high spiritual enjoyment. As in Proverbs 29:15 and Proverbs 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: