The term "spareth" is derived from the verb "to spare," which means to refrain from harming, punishing, or killing, or to show mercy and leniency. In the context of the Bible, "spareth" often conveys the idea of withholding something, whether it be punishment, resources, or actions, and is frequently associated with themes of mercy, discipline, and divine judgment.

Biblical Usage:

1. Parental Discipline:
The concept of sparing is prominently featured in the context of parental discipline. Proverbs 13:24 states, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently." This verse underscores the importance of discipline in child-rearing, suggesting that withholding correction is akin to neglecting a child's moral and spiritual development. The rod symbolizes guidance and correction, and sparing it is equated with a lack of love and concern for the child's well-being.

2. Divine Mercy:
The notion of God sparing individuals or nations is a recurring theme in Scripture, highlighting His mercy and compassion. In the account of Jonah, God spares the city of Nineveh after its inhabitants repent from their wickedness. Jonah 3:10 states, "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them." Here, sparing is an act of divine grace, demonstrating God's willingness to forgive and withhold judgment in response to genuine repentance.

3. Judgment and Consequences:
Conversely, the Bible also speaks of instances where sparing is not extended, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the inevitability of divine justice. In Romans 8:32 , Paul writes, "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?" This passage reflects on the magnitude of God's love and the gravity of Christ's sacrifice, illustrating that God did not withhold His own Son to accomplish the work of salvation.

4. Human Relationships:
In human interactions, sparing can also refer to the act of showing mercy or leniency towards others. In 1 Samuel 24, David spares King Saul's life despite having the opportunity to kill him. David's decision to spare Saul is an act of respect for God's anointed and a demonstration of his own integrity and trust in God's justice.

Theological Implications:

The concept of sparing in the Bible is deeply intertwined with the themes of justice, mercy, and love. It reflects the balance between God's righteous judgment and His compassionate mercy. The act of sparing, whether by God or humans, often serves as a test of character, revealing the heart's true intentions and the depth of one's faith and obedience.

In summary, "spareth" in the biblical context is a multifaceted term that encompasses the withholding of punishment, the exercise of mercy, and the importance of discipline. It serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between justice and mercy, both in divine actions and human relationships.

Home-Discipline.
... He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."
Children are by nature depraved, and if left to themselves, will choose ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xix home-discipline.htm

Meditations of the State of a Christian Reconciled to God in ...
... 1 Pet. ii.5; Malachi 3:17.). 4. God spareth him as a man spareth his own son
that serveth him. And this sparing consists in,. (1.) Not ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the state of.htm

Psalm XCIV.
... He spareth them for one reason, they answer for another, because they still
live. For the Apostle telleth us wherefore He spareth ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xciv.htm

Psalm CI.
... Since therefore, brethren, we have a season of mercy, let us not on that account
flatter, or indulge ourselves, saying, God spareth ever.... ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ci.htm

Psalm XCIX.
... He spareth at present the people who blaspheme Him, because "the long-suffering
of God leadeth to repentance." [4517] For He who now spareth, will not always ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcix.htm

On Domestic and Social Life.
... Thou verily shalt smite him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from death."
[2958] And again, says the same Solomon thus, "He that spareth his rod ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii on domestic and social.htm

'Stout Words,' and their Confutation
... And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels;
and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.18. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/stout words and their confutation.htm

That they are Frequently to be Corrected who do Wrong in Domestic ...
... In Solomon: "He who spareth the rod, hateth his son." [4601] And again: "Do not
cease from correcting the child." [4602]. Footnotes: [4601] Proverbs 13:24. ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/105 that they are frequently.htm

The Long-Suffering, Loving-Kindness, and Tender-Mercies of God. ...
... He our sins hath sever'd thus; As a father, loving-hearted,. Spares his son, He
spareth us; For He knows our feeble frame. He remembers whence we came. ...
/.../sacred poems and hymns/hymn xlvii the long-suffering loving-kindness.htm

It is Indeed Better as no one ever could Deny that Men Should...
... as the result; for he says, "Thou shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver
his soul from hell;" [2510] and elsewhere he says, "He that spareth the rod ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 6 21 it.htm

Spareth (9 Occurrences)
...Spareth (9 Occurrences). ... Job 6:10 And be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult
in pain that spareth not, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One. ...
/s/spareth.htm - 8k

Sparing (17 Occurrences)
... might be sparing. (YLT). Job 27:22 Yea, it hurleth at him, and spareth not;
he would fain flee from its power. (See NAS). Proverbs 13 ...
/s/sparing.htm - 11k

Father (11359 Occurrences)
... 17:25); he is considerate of his children's needs and requests (Matthew 7:10);
considerate of their burdens, or sins (Malachi 3:17, "As a man spareth his own ...
/f/father.htm - 21k

Ewe (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 12:4 And there cometh a traveller to the rich man, And he spareth to take
Of his own flock, and of his own herd, To prepare for the traveller Who hath ...
/e/ewe.htm - 10k

Ewe-lamb (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 12:4 And there cometh a traveller to the rich man, And he spareth to take
Of his own flock, and of his own herd, To prepare for the traveller Who hath ...
/e/ewe-lamb.htm - 7k

Prepareth (21 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 12:4 And there cometh a traveller to the rich man, And he spareth to take
Of his own flock, and of his own herd, To prepare for the traveller Who hath ...
/p/prepareth.htm - 13k

Betimes (17 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that
loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/b/betimes.htm - 13k

Cool (8 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 17:27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a
cool spirit is a man of understanding. (ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV). ...
/c/cool.htm - 10k

Chasteneth (5 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that
loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/c/chasteneth.htm - 7k

Covets (2 Occurrences)
... good? (See RSV). Proverbs 21:26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day
long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not. (See RSV). ...
/c/covets.htm - 6k

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