Proverbs 29:21
A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.
A servant
The Hebrew word for "servant" is "עֶבֶד" (eved), which can refer to a bondservant or a person in a position of servitude. In ancient Israel, servants were often part of the household and could be either hired workers or slaves. The term implies a relationship of authority and submission, where the servant is expected to fulfill duties and responsibilities. In a broader spiritual sense, this can also be seen as a metaphor for our service to God, where we are called to be faithful and diligent in our roles.

pampered
The Hebrew root for "pampered" is "פָּנַק" (panak), which means to indulge or to treat delicately. This word suggests an upbringing that lacks discipline and correction, leading to a sense of entitlement or lack of responsibility. In the biblical context, indulgence without accountability can lead to negative character development. The Bible often emphasizes the importance of discipline and correction as means of growth and maturity, as seen in Proverbs 13:24, which states, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently."

from his youth
The phrase "from his youth" indicates a formative period in a person's life. In Hebrew culture, youth was a critical time for learning and character development. The habits and values instilled during this time often set the course for one's future. The Bible frequently underscores the importance of training and guiding the young, as seen in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This highlights the long-term impact of early education and discipline.

will bring grief
The Hebrew word for "grief" is "מָדוֹן" (madon), which can also mean strife or contention. This suggests that a lack of discipline and indulgence can lead to conflict and trouble. The Bible warns against behaviors that lead to discord and emphasizes the value of peace and harmony within relationships. In a spiritual sense, unchecked indulgence can lead to spiritual strife and separation from God's will.

in the end
The phrase "in the end" refers to the ultimate outcome or consequence of one's actions. The Bible often speaks of the end result of a person's life choices, emphasizing the principle of sowing and reaping. Galatians 6:7-8 reminds us, "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return." This serves as a cautionary reminder that the choices made in youth can have lasting effects, and it encourages a life of wisdom and discipline to ensure a positive outcome.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Servant
In the context of ancient Israel, a servant was often someone who worked in a household or estate, sometimes as a bondservant or slave. The term can also be applied more broadly to anyone in a subordinate position.

2. Youth
This refers to the early stages of life, a time of learning and development. The way a person is treated during their youth can have lasting impacts on their character and behavior.

3. End
This signifies the outcome or result of a particular course of action. In this proverb, it refers to the consequences of pampering a servant from a young age.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Discipline
Discipline is crucial in shaping character and ensuring that individuals are prepared for future responsibilities. Without it, there is a risk of developing entitlement and irresponsibility.

Long-term Consequences
The way we treat those under our care, especially from a young age, can have significant long-term effects. Pampering without accountability can lead to grief and disappointment.

Balanced Approach to Nurturing
While kindness and support are important, they must be balanced with discipline and expectations to foster growth and maturity.

Leadership and Responsibility
Those in positions of authority should be mindful of how they nurture and develop those under their care, ensuring they are equipped for future roles.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of pampering a servant relate to modern parenting or leadership practices?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of balanced nurturing in our personal and professional relationships?

3. Reflect on a time when a lack of discipline led to negative consequences in your life or someone else's. What could have been done differently?

4. How do the teachings in Proverbs 29:21 align with the broader biblical principles of stewardship and responsibility?

5. What steps can you take to ensure that those you mentor or lead are prepared for future challenges and responsibilities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 22:6
This verse emphasizes the importance of training a child in the way they should go, highlighting the long-term impact of early education and discipline.

Ecclesiastes 10:16-17
These verses contrast the outcomes of indulgence versus discipline in leadership, which can be related to the consequences of pampering a servant.

Galatians 4:1-2
Paul discusses the concept of heirs and servants, illustrating the importance of maturity and preparation before receiving full responsibility.
Fatal Defects in the Social StateE. Johnson Proverbs 29:18-23
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Bring, Bringeth, Bringing, Cared, Cause, Child, Childhood, Continuator, Delicately, Early, Gently, Grief, Heir, Latter, Length, Master, Pampers, Servant, Slave, Sorrow, Youth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 29:21

     5835   disappointment

Library
An Obscured vision
(Preached at the opening of the Winona Lake Bible Conference.) TEXT: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."--Proverbs 29:18. It is not altogether an easy matter to secure a text for such an occasion as this; not because the texts are so few in number but rather because they are so many, for one has only to turn over the pages of the Bible in the most casual way to find them facing him at every reading. Feeling the need of advice for such a time as this, I asked a number of my friends who
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Two Ancient Proverbs
A Sermon (No. 3080) Published on Thursday, February 20th, 1908. Delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Lord's Day evening, March 29th, 1874. "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso puteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." --Proverbs 29:25. We have two ancient proverbs here; each of them is true as a separate proverb, and they are equally true when linked together. The independent proposition, that the fear of man bringeth a snare, is a truth which experience
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

But Sometimes a Peril to Eternal Salvation Itself is Put Forth against Us...
40. But sometimes a peril to eternal salvation itself is put forth against us; [2466] which peril, they cry out, we by telling a lie, if otherwise it cannot be, must ward off. As, for instance, if a person who is to be baptized be in the power of impious and infidel men, and cannot be got at that he may be washed with the laver of regeneration, but by deceiving his keepers with a lie. From this most invidious cry, by which we are compelled, not for a man's wealth or honors in this world which are
St. Augustine—Against Lying

Little Sarah Howley.
MISS SARAH HOWLEY, when she was between eight and nine years old, was carried by her friends to hear a sermon, where the minister preached upon Matt. xi, 30, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light;" in the applying of which scripture the child was mightily awakened, and made deeply sensible of the condition of her soul, and her need of Christ: she wept bitterly to think what a case she was in; went home, retired into a chamber, and upon her knees she wept and cried to the Lord as well as she could,
John Wesley—Stories of Boys and Girls Who Loved the Saviour

For, Concerning False Witness, which is Set Down in the Ten Commands of The...
36. For, concerning false witness, which is set down in the ten commands of the Law, it can indeed in no wise be contended that love of truth may at heart be preserved, and false witness brought forth to him unto whom the witness is borne. For, when it is said to God only, then it is only in the heart that the truth is to be embraced: but when it is said to man, then must we with the mouth also of the body bring forth truth, because man is not an inspector of the heart. But then, touching the witness
St. Augustine—On Lying

Palm Sunday
Text: Philippians 2, 5-11. 5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

It Remains Then that we Understand as Concerning those Women...
33. It remains then that we understand as concerning those women, whether in Egypt or in Jericho, that for their humanity and mercy they received a reward, in any wise temporal, which indeed itself, while they wist not of it, should by prophetical signification prefigure somewhat eternal. But whether it be ever right, even for the saving of a man's life, to tell a lie, as it is a question in resolving which even the most learned do weary themselves, it did vastly surpass the capacity of those poor
St. Augustine—Against Lying

What are Evidences of Backsliding in Heart.
1. Manifest formality in religious exercises. A stereotyped, formal way of saying and doing things, that is clearly the result of habit, rather than the outgushing of the religious life. This formality will be emotionless and cold as an iceberg, and will evince a total want of earnestness in the performance of religious duty. In prayer and in religious exercises the backslider in heart will pray or praise, or confess, or give thanks with his lips, so that all can hear him, perhaps, but in such a
Charles G. Finney—The Backslider in Heart

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
Rom. xi. 36.--"Of him and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever." And 1 Cor. x. 31--"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." All that men have to know, may be comprised under these two heads,--What their end is, and What is the right way to attain to that end? And all that we have to do, is by any means to seek to compass that end. These are the two cardinal points of a man's knowledge and exercise. Quo et qua eundum est,--Whither to go, and what way to go.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 10.) Differently to be admonished are the impatient and the patient. For the impatient are to be told that, while they neglect to bridle their spirit, they are hurried through many steep places of iniquity which they seek not after, inasmuch as fury drives the mind whither desire draws it not, and, when perturbed, it does, not knowing, what it afterwards grieves for when it knows. The impatient are also to be told that, when carried headlong by the impulse of emotion, they act in some
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. ...
Humility is the root of charity, and meekness the fruit of both. There is no solid and pure ground of love to others, except the rubbish of self-love be first cast out of the soul; and when that superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, then charity hath a solid and deep foundation: "The end of the command is charity out of a pure heart," 1 Tim. i. 5. It is only such a purified heart, cleansed from that poison and contagion of pride and self-estimation, that can send out such a sweet and wholesome
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is,
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Proverbs 29:21 NIV
Proverbs 29:21 NLT
Proverbs 29:21 ESV
Proverbs 29:21 NASB
Proverbs 29:21 KJV

Proverbs 29:21 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Proverbs 29:20
Top of Page
Top of Page