Proverbs 22:15
New International Version
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

New Living Translation
A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.

English Standard Version
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Berean Standard Bible
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

King James Bible
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

New King James Version
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

New American Standard Bible
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

NASB 1995
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

NASB 1977
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

Amplified Bible
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him.

Christian Standard Bible
Foolishness is bound to the heart of a youth; a rod of discipline will separate it from him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Foolishness is tangled up in the heart of a youth; the rod of discipline will drive it away from him.

American Standard Version
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Contemporary English Version
All children are foolish, but firm correction will make them change.

English Revised Version
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Foolishness is firmly attached to a child's heart. Spanking will remove it far from him.

Good News Translation
Children just naturally do silly, careless things, but a good spanking will teach them how to behave.

International Standard Version
A child's heart has a tendency to do wrong, but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him.

Majority Standard Bible
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

NET Bible
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

New Heart English Bible
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

World English Bible
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, "" The rod of discipline puts it far from him.

Young's Literal Translation
Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of chastisement putteth it far from him.

Smith's Literal Translation
Folly being bound in the heart of a youth; the rod of correction shall remove it far off from him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Foolishness has been bound to the heart of a child, and a rod of discipline shall cause it to flee.

New American Bible
Folly is bound to the heart of a youth, but the rod of discipline will drive it out.

New Revised Standard Version
Folly is bound up in the heart of a boy, but the rod of discipline drives it far away.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Foolishness moves the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Senselessness disturbs the heart of a boy and a rod of discipline puts it far from him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are then far from him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Good Name
14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it. 15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. 16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.…

Cross References
Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 23:13-14
Do not withhold discipline from a child; although you strike him with a rod, he will not die. / Strike him with a rod, and you will deliver his soul from Sheol.

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.

Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.

Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.

Deuteronomy 8:5
So know in your heart that just as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; / for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 10:13
Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.

Proverbs 15:5
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

Proverbs 20:30
Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.

Proverbs 26:3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!


Treasury of Scripture

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

foolishness

Job 14:4
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

Psalm 51:5
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

John 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

but

Proverbs 13:24
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Proverbs 19:18
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

Proverbs 23:13,14
Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die…

Jump to Previous
Bound Chastisement Child Correction Deep-Seated Discipline Drive Drives Far Folly Foolish Foolishness Heart Punishment Putteth Remove Rod Ways Youth
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Bound Chastisement Child Correction Deep-Seated Discipline Drive Drives Far Folly Foolish Foolishness Heart Punishment Putteth Remove Rod Ways Youth
Proverbs 22
1. A good name is more desirable than great wealth














Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child
The Hebrew word for "foolishness" is "אִוֶּלֶת" (ivveleth), which conveys a sense of moral and spiritual deficiency rather than mere lack of knowledge. In the ancient Near Eastern context, "foolishness" often implied a rejection of wisdom and a tendency towards sinful behavior. The phrase "bound up" suggests that this foolishness is deeply ingrained or tied to the child's nature. The "heart" in Hebrew thought is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. Thus, this phrase acknowledges the inherent sin nature present from a young age, a concept consistent with the doctrine of original sin in conservative Christian theology. It underscores the need for guidance and correction to steer a child towards righteousness.

but the rod of discipline
The "rod" (שֵׁבֶט, shevet) in ancient Israelite culture was a symbol of authority and correction. It was used by shepherds to guide and protect their sheep, and metaphorically, it represents the parental responsibility to guide children. "Discipline" (מוּסָר, musar) involves instruction, correction, and training in righteousness. In the biblical context, discipline is not merely punitive but is intended to teach and cultivate wisdom and moral integrity. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6), emphasizing that discipline is an act of love and care.

will drive it far from him
The phrase "will drive it far" suggests a forceful removal or separation. The Hebrew verb "רָחַק" (rachaq) implies creating distance or removing something undesirable. In this context, it indicates that proper discipline has the power to remove foolishness from a child's heart, leading them towards wisdom and godliness. This reflects the transformative potential of discipline when applied with love and consistency. The ultimate goal is not merely behavior modification but heart transformation, aligning with the biblical principle that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10).

(15) Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child.--Self-will is meant. (See above on Proverbs 1:7.) Children have to be taught to yield their wills to others.

Verse 15. - Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child. Foolishness (ivveleth) here implies the love of mischief, the waywardness and self-will, belonging to children, bound up in their very nature. Septuagint, "Folly is attached (ἐξῆπται) to the heart of the young," in which version Cornelius a Lapide sees an allusion to the ornament hung by fond parents round the neck of a child whom they were inclined to spoil rather than to train in self-denying ways. To such a child folly adheres as closely as the bulla with which he is decorated. But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Judicious education overcomes this natural tendency, by punishing it when exhibited, and imparting wisdom and piety (see on Proverbs 13:24 and Proverbs 19:18; and comp. Proverbs 23:13; Proverbs 29:15; Ecclus. 30:1, etc). The LXX. pursue their notion of the the indulgent parents letting the child have his own way, for they render the last clause, "But the rod and discipline are far from him."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Foolishness
אִ֭וֶּלֶת (’iw·we·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 200: Silliness

[is] bound up
קְשׁוּרָ֣ה (qə·šū·rāh)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular
Strong's 7194: To tie, gird, confine, compact, in love, league

in the heart
בְלֶב־ (ḇə·leḇ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

of a child,
נָ֑עַר (nā·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

[but] the rod
שֵׁ֥בֶט (šê·ḇeṭ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe

of discipline
מ֝וּסָ֗ר (mū·sār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4148: Chastisement, reproof, warning, instruction, restraint

will drive it far
יַרְחִיקֶ֥נָּה (yar·ḥî·qen·nāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7368: To be or become far or distant

from him.
מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ (mim·men·nū)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart (Prov. Pro Pr)
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