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Is Spanking an Acceptable Form of Discipline?

You have probably heard the expression, "Spare the rod, spoil the child." Do you agree with it? Perhaps you were spanked as a kid. Was it appropriate? Some people see spanking as an outdated method of punishment or even child abuse, while others view a swat on the bottom as a parent's prerogative. Where do we draw the line when it comes to disciplining our children?

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Spanking and the Bible

THEN WHY DO IT AT ALL

John Rosemond says that the rod in the Bible is symbolic rather than literal. I agree with him on that.If that is the case then why does he even think about hitting children when there is no Scriptural justification for it. He is following tradition rather than the Bible and tradition is not reliable.

- edwin p August 13, 2008 9:54AM

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- Symbolic
  
  So if it's symbolic.....what is it symbolizing?
  
  - reb412 August 30, 2008 10:37AM
  
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  - THE ROD IS SYMBOLIC
    
    In answer to your question, the Rod as described in the Book of Proverbs stands for authority, not hitting. The word discipline comes from the same word disciple and means teaching. As a result, using the Rod means teaching as in pointing to lessons on a wall much like a teacher in a classroom. We must remember that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, not English originally. Unlike the English Language, the Hebrew Language uses a lot of symbols, metaphors and figures of speech to describe things and therefore it must not always be taken literally in the same way as the English Language. When we try to interpret things in the way English does, we often arrive at the wrong conclusions. This is something we must remember if we want to gain a proper understanding of the Bible.
    
    - edwin p August 30, 2008 11:30AM
    
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    - Hebrew
      
      That's interesting because I know Hebrew. And the word is literally "tree branch" which is mentioned almost 200 times in most texts (with different synonyms, like "tribe" or "group" of course). Only a handful of times is it mentioned metaphorically (i.e. Ge 49.10 mentions it as a position of authority). But in context, in whatever language, "sparing the stick" doesn't metaphorically translate well "sparing the authority". Or whatever other word you can think of. It's obviously talking about something physical.
      
      Pr 23.14 makes it pretty clear:
      "You shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from sheol."
      
      You're right, Hebrew definitely has some expressionist metaphors, hebrewism, etc. but this is not one of those times.
      
      - reb412 August 30, 2008 11:45AM
      
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      - WISDOM FROM A JEWISH RABBI
        
        The interpretation that the Rod refers to pointing to lessons on the wall was obtained by me from a quote by a Jewish Rabbi from Pennsylvania by the name of Larry Kaplan. Being a Rabbi, I'm quite sure that he would be familiar with OT Hebrew and customs. Also, to beat doesn't necessarily mean to hit. When the sun is beating down on a roof, is it striking it with a rod? No, it is shining down on it. In the same way, beating with a rod means coming across to your children in such a way that they will have no trouble paying attention to you and understanding what you have to say. By the way, were you aware that in Israel where the Sabbath is still faithfully observed, all corporal punishment of children is against the law?
        
        - edwin p August 31, 2008 7:00PM
        
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        Redefining words
        
        Yes "beating" can mean different things in English but as you mentioned before....the OT was written in Hebrew....and the word "beating" in English is the translation of a Hebrew word that COULD NOT be used with "the sun was beating down". Seriously. In other English translations, it's translated as "smite", "strike", etc. In my two different Spanish Bible translations, it's "castigarás con vara" and "herirás con vara" which is unmistakable. The Hebrew word is clear (so are all the other translations, frankly).
        
        I'm not familiar with this rabbi but would question him on it (especially depending on what type of rabbi he is). Many of the rabbis I know don't believe the Old Testament holds any authoritative value to them and thus their interpretations are severely slanted (and usually have an agenda).
        
        I'm glad you quoted a rabbi though. :-) It's more scholarly than what some of these people on this site have been doing..
        
        Also, I didn't know that about Israel, thanks for pointing that out. Interesting.
        
        - reb412 August 31, 2008 7:33PM
        
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        Words can kill?
        
        Let's look at the verse in context:
        Proverbs 23:13
        "Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die."
        How many parents would be concerned with their children DYING from being talked to or given a time out? Obviously, this is talking about physical beating if he is discussing the physical outcome. Notice, however, that the child will NOT die from being beaten with a rod. The purpose of these verses is to tell parents that causing a child physical pain early on in life is a small price if it makes him a better person and saves his soul.
        
        - nclark January 25, 2009 9:32PM
        
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        Complete Agreement
        
        That is completely correct. Sometimes people take issues what out of porportion. They need to realize that many arguments are not literal - if fact the Bible has tons of parables, metaphors, and similies. There are actually quite a few examples in Luke 6 and 7.
        
        - Edgin7 February 12, 2009 2:07PM
        
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