Proverbs 29:21

He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at length.
– Proverbs 29:21

The word for bringeth up means to pamper. The saying seems to intend a negative consequence and would be paired with verse 19. The word for son only appears here in the Hebrew Bible and the meaning is uncertain. It is generally though to intend a negative outcome such as, grief, or weak. If the negative gloss is correct, the saying gives a warning for lack of discipline and proper training of a servant from childhood.

Proverbs 29:19

A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
– Proverbs 29:19

Verses 19-21 loosely form a group of sayings centered on the servant. The word means bondmen, or slave. The implications seem to have more to do with a servant mindset than a status. For instance, it is possible to be a wise servant (Proverbs 17:2). This saying has the foolish servant in mind, as he stubbornly refuses correction, which is characteristic of a fool (Proverbs 29:1, 9). It could be there is a subtly play on words here as the servant mindset is enslaved to folly.

Proverbs 27:18

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honored.
– Proverbs 27:18

The parallel in this verse shows faithful work will be rewarded. Caring for the fig tree will mean enjoying the fruit later. Likewise, the servant who tends to his master will receive reward. Wisdom sees benefits to servants who do their duties faithfully (Proverbs 17:2; 22:29).

 


 

 

Proverbs 17:2

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
– Proverbs 17:2

While possible, a servant rarely advanced beyond being a servant. A wise servant could merit reward (Proverbs 14:35). The emphasis of the proverb is on the son that causeth shame. He is disinherited because of his foolishness and shall see the servant advance beyond him (Proverbs 11:29). Proverbs has many warnings to foolish sons and the consequences of their folly (Proverbs 10:5; 19:26).

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Proverbs 14:35

The king’s favor is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
– Proverbs 14:35

This proverb is a truism, or a general rule that competence and diligence are rewarded (Proverbs 22:29). People often think that promotion comes to a person because of luck, connections, or back room dealings. Those things do happen, but we generally receive what we have earned, or reap what we sow (Proverbs 17:2). The two phrases show both sides—favor and wrath. A servant causes shame by being unreliable, lazy, incompetent, etc. (Proverbs 10:5). Everyone makes mistakes and has to learn from them. The servant who does this will be rewarded with favor, and the obstinate servant with wrath (Proverbs 13:18).

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