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The Bible and the Rod
condemn Solomon for his evil-doing (I Kings 11:11-13), but never to approve using "the
rod" on youth. The words of Proverbs are Solomon's only. Never the Lord's.
THE ROD OF GOD
In the Bible, the rod is many things. It is a symbol of miraculous power. Moses hold up his
rod and the waters of the Red Sea part before the escaping Hebrews (Exodus 14:16). He lifts
up his rod and the Children of Israel prevail over their enemies (Exodus 17:9). In the desert,
he smites his rod against a rock and water flows (Numbers 20:11).
The rod of Levi blossoms as a plant and God designates the House of Levi as the true priests
of Israel (Numbers 17:8).
The rod is the symbol of God's anger and retribution. "I will visit their iniquities with the rod
and their transgressions with stripes" (Psalms 89:32). The Assyrian king, conquering Judah,
is "the rod of God's anger" (Isaiah 10:5). Suffering Job cries out, "Let him take his rod away
from me" (Job 9:34).
Sometimes, on the other hand, the rod symbolizes God's gentle guidance. "Thy rod and staff,
they comfort me" (Psalms 23:4).
Again, the rod symbolizes the force and power of a human tyrant. "He shall rule them with a
rod of iron" (Revelations 19:15). "Thou hast broken the rod of the oppressor" (Isaiah 9:4).
"The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous" (Psalms 125:3).
And the rod may be just a twig, with no symbolism at all. "Jacob took him rods of green
poplar" (Genesis 30:37).
THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON
Exclusively in the Book of Proverbs is the rod recommended for child rearing. "Withhold
not correction from the child, for if thou beatest him with the rod, he will not die. Thou shalt
beat him with the rod and deliver his soul from Hell (Prov. 23:13, 14).
These references are most frequently quoted by the advocates of corporal punishment in
school and home. They could, however, equally cite the Bible to support the flogging of
adults. Deuteronomy (25:2,3) authorizes forty stripes for "he who is worthy to be beaten".
St. Paul was among the victims of this law (II Corinthians 11:24).
Proverbs urges corporal punishment for Fools as well as children. "A rod for the fool's back"
(Proverbs 26:3).
The corporal punishers, understandably never quote the part about using the rod on fools.
For if this Proverb were strictly enforced, they might find themselves on the receiving end.
But let us leave the fools to fend for themselves and return to the kids. The Biblical
authority for the whipping of youths in school and home rests solely on King Solomon's
Proverbs and has no other Biblical support.
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