Is it in the Bible?
Is “Spare the rod, spoil the child” in the Bible?
No. “Spare the rod, spoil the child” is not a Bible verse. It is a misquote of Proverbs 13:24. The rhyme is Butler’s. Proverbs 13:24 makes a related point in different words: whoever loves his son is careful to discipline him.
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The answer
Is “Spare the rod, spoil the child” in the Bible?
Not a Bible verse
No. It is not a Bible verse.
It is a misquote of Proverbs 13:24.
The rhyme is Butler’s. Proverbs 13:24 makes a related point in different words: whoever loves his son is careful to discipline him.
The verse it misquotes
Whoever holds back his rod hates his son, but whoever loves him is careful to discipline him.
Proverbs 13:24 · open the chapter →
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Plain answers.
Is “Spare the rod, spoil the child” in the Bible?
No. “Spare the rod, spoil the child” is not a Bible verse. It is a misquote of Proverbs 13:24. The rhyme is Butler’s. Proverbs 13:24 makes a related point in different words: whoever loves his son is careful to discipline him.
Where does “Spare the rod, spoil the child” come from?
Samuel Butler’s 17th-century poem Hudibras.
What does the Bible say instead?
Read Proverbs 13:24. The rhyme is Butler’s. Proverbs 13:24 makes a related point in different words: whoever loves his son is careful to discipline him.
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