Defining The Meaning Of Discipline In The
Original Languages Of Greek And Hebrew
Defining “discipline” in the New Testament (Greek)
The following are the definitions of
the Greek & Hebrew words for discipline.
The first is Greek, and is the word found in Hebrews 12:5 and of course
many other texts. The bold text
indicates the actual meaning and applications.
Note I consulted several different sources, utilizing the best
references first:
Below is a listing of the particular
Greek word paideía use throughout the NT; while there may be varieties
of cognates, this is a specific search.
The Amplified Bible was used, which “amplifies” the use of the Greek
word for discipline. The words that
have been translated from “paideia” into English are in bold letters.
ENGLISHMAN’S CONCORDANCE LIST FOR PAIDEÍA
DISCIPLINE = Paideía (NT: 3809) originates from the following
cognates; this path comes from Strong’s Concordance; NT:3809 paideia
(pahee-di'-ah); from NT:3811; tutorage, i.e. education or
training; by implication, disciplinary correction.
It appears this Greek word involves
punishment with the idea of training and education in mind; in other words, not
just hitting to punish, but with the “deed” (goal) of “training” (educating)
the child. Of course, as noted, the
“child” extends to adults as children of God.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon definition
says of paideía (I prefer Thayer’s generally Al; it is a very reliable and thorough
source):
DISCIPLINE = NT:3809 paideia:
1. The whole training and education of children Eph 6:4
2. Whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, especially by
correcting
mistakes and curbing the passions
a. Instruction which aims at the increase of virtue: 2
Tim 3:16
b. According to Biblical usage chastisement, chastening
Heb 12:5
(From Thayer's Greek Lexicon,
Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft)
Hebrews 12:11 makes it clear by the
context that some form of pain is involves in the disciplinary process; no pain
no gain. By the same token we see from
this verse that such disciplinary action yields the peaceable “fruit” of
righteousness, or right living with and right standing before God.
Discipline defined in Old Testament (Hebrew)
The Hebrew word or words for
“discipline” are varied, but here’s a dominant word used. The New American Standard Updated Bible
(NASU) was consulted for the use and spelling of the word translated as, “discipline.”
DISCIPLINE = OT: 4148 muwcar (moo-sawr'); from OT: 3256; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint:
Note that “muwcar” originates from a
cognate “yacar” OT: 3256; yacar is defined below:
OT: 3256 = yacar (yaw-sar'); a
primitive root; to chastise, literally (with
blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct:
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c)
1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
The Hebrew word meaning is consistent
with the Greek use, the applications nearly identical, and this should be no
surprise, as God’s ways never change.
These little “nuggets” are what makes the divine “inspiration” of scripture
verifiable.
Below is another definition for OT:
4148 muwcar taken from Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright (c)
1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute
for Creation Research:
DISCIPLINE = OT: 4148 muwcar --
discipline, chastening, correction
a)
discipline, correction
b)
a chastening
Here’s the AMG WordStudy definition
of muwcar:
4148. Muwcar; chastisement,
punishment, correction, discipline, instruction, self–control. This masc. noun is derived from yacar (3256). Essentially, it is a bond, a checking, restraint, i.e., correction
which results in education. (See Deut. 11:2ff. [cf. Deut.
4:35ff.]). The term is very frequent in Proverbs (e.g., Prov. 3:11). Often it is oral not corporal discipline. The prophets developed the theme of God’s discipline (Is. 8:11;
53:5; Jer. 2:30; 5:3; 7:28; 17:23; 32:33).
There is another much used Hebrew
word used for the chastisement and/or discipline:
REPROOF = OT: 8433 towkechah (to-kay-khaw'); and towkachath (to-kakh'-ath); from OT: 3198; chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation,
proof (even in defense)
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c)
1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
PARTIAL ENGLISHMAN’S LIST OF OT: 4148 ‘muwcar’
Al, I used a variety of Bible translations to help you see the
range of use for the Hebrew word for discipline (muwcar)
Deuteronomy 11:2 "Know this day
that I am not speaking with your sons who have not known and who have not seen
the discipline (muwcar) of the LORD your God--His greatness, His mighty hand and His
outstretched arm.” NASU
Job 5:17 "Behold, how happy is
the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline (muwcar) of the Almighty.” NASU
Job 36:10 He also opens their ears to
instruction and discipline (muwcar), and commands that they
return from iniquity. AMP
Psalms 50:17 For you hate discipline (muwcar), and you cast My words
behind you. NASU
Proverbs 1:2-3 To know wisdom and instruction (muwcar), to discern the sayings of
understanding, 3 To receive instruction (muwcar) in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity. NASU
Proverbs 1:7-8 The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline (muwcar). 8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction (muwcar) and do not forsake your
mother's teaching. (NIV)
Proverbs 3:11 My son, do not despise
or shrink from the chastening (muwcar) of the Lord [His correction by punishment
or by subjection to suffering or trial]; neither be
weary of or impatient about or loathe or abhor His reproof, [Psalm 94:12;
Hebrew 12:5,6; Revelation 3:19.] AMP
Proverbs 4:1 Hear, O sons, the instruction (muwcar) of a father, and give
attention that you may gain understanding.
NASU
Proverbs 4:13 Take fast hold of instruction (muwcar); let her not go: keep her;
for she is thy life. KJV
Proverbs 5:12 And you say, How I
hated instruction and discipline (muwcar), and my heart despised
reproof! AMP
Proverbs 5:23 He will die for lack of
discipline and instruction (muwcar), and in the greatness of his
folly he will go astray and be lost.
AMP
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is
a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction (muwcar) are the way of life. KJV
Proverbs 7:22 He goeth after her
straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction (muwcar) of the stocks. KJV
Proverbs 8:10 Receive my instruction (muwcar), and not silver; and
knowledge rather than choice gold. KJV
Proverbs 8:33 Hear instruction (muwcar), and be wise, and refuse it
not. KJV
Proverbs 10:17 He is in the way of
life that keepeth instruction (muwcar): but he that refuseth reproof erreth. KJV
Proverbs 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction (muwcar) loveth knowledge: but he
that hateth reproof is brutish. KJV
Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heareth his
father's instruction (muwcar): but a scorner heareth not rebuke. KJV
Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame
shall be to him that refuseth instruction (muwcar): but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. KJV
Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his
rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth (muwcar) him betimes. KJV
Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his
father's instruction (muwcar): but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. KJV
Proverbs 15:10 Correction (muwcar)is grievous unto him that
forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. KJV
Proverbs 15:32 He that refuseth instruction (muwcar) despiseth his own soul: but
he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. KJV
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD
is the instruction (muwcar) of wisdom; and before honour is humility. KJV
Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a
wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction (muwcar) of fools is folly. KJV
Proverbs 19:20 Hear counsel, and
receive instruction (muwcar), that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. KJV
Proverbs 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear
the instruction (muwcar) that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. KJV
Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound
in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction (muwcar) shall drive it far from him. KJV
Proverbs 23:12 Apply thine heart unto
instruction (muwcar), and thine ears to the words
of knowledge. KJV
Proverbs 23:13 Withhold not correction (muwcar) from the child: for if thou
beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. KJV
Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and
sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction (muwcar), and understanding. KJV
Proverbs 24:32 Then I saw, and
considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction (muwcar). KJV
Isaiah 26:16 LORD, in trouble have
they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening (muwcar) was upon them. KJV
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for
our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement (muwcar) of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed. KJV
Jeremiah 2:30 In vain have I smitten
your children; they received no correction (muwcar): your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying
lion. KJV
Jeremiah 5:3 O LORD, are not thine
eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou
hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction (muwcar): they have made their faces
harder than a rock; they have refused to return. KJV
Jeremiah 7:28 But thou shalt say unto
them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor
receiveth correction (muwcar): truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. KJV
Jeremiah 17:23 But they obeyed not,
neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not
hear, nor receive instruction (muwcar). KJV
Jeremiah 30:14 All thy lovers have
forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of
an enemy, with the chastisement (muwcar) of a cruel one, for the
multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased. KJV
Jeremiah 32:33 And they have turned
unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and
teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction (muwcar). KJV
Jeremiah 35:13 Thus saith the LORD of
hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction (muwcar) to hearken to my words?
saith the LORD. KJV
Ezekiel 5:15 So it shall be a
reproach and a taunt, an instruction (muwcar) and an astonishment unto
the nations that are round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee
in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken it. KJV
Hosea 5:2 And the revolters are
profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker (muwcar) of them all. KJV
Zephaniah 3:2 She obeyed not the
voice; she received not correction (muwcar); she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. KJV
Zephaniah 3:7 I said, Surely thou
wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction (muwcar); so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished
them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. KJV
PARTIAL ENGLISHMAN’S LIST OF OT: 8433 ‘towkechah’
2 Kings 19:3 And they said unto him,
Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke (towkechah), and blasphemy: for the
children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. KJV
Job 13:6 Hear now my reasoning, and
hearken to the pleadings (towkechah) of my lips. KJV
Psalms 38:14 Thus I was as a man that
heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs (towkechah). KJV
Psalms 39:11 When thou with rebukes (towkechah) dost correct man for
iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man
is vanity. Selah. KJV
Psalms 73:14 For all the day long
have I been plagued, and chastened (towkechah) every morning. KJV
Psalms 149:7 To execute vengeance
upon the heathen, and punishments (towkechah) upon the people. KJV
Proverbs 1:23 Turn you at my reproof (towkechah): behold, I will pour out my
spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. KJV
Proverbs 1:25 But ye have set at
nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof (towkechah). KJV
Proverbs 1:30 They would none of my
counsel: they despised all my reproof (towkechah). KJV
Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the
chastening (towkechah) of the LORD; neither be
weary of his correction. KJV
Proverbs 5:12 And say, How have I
hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof (towkechah). KJV
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is
a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs (towkechah) of instruction are the way of life. KJV
Proverbs 10:17 He is in the way of
life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof (towkechah) erreth. KJV
Proverbs 12:1 Whoso loveth
instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof (towkechah) is brutish.
KJV
Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame
shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof (towkechah) shall be honoured. KJV
Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his
father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof (towkechah) is prudent. KJV
Proverbs 15:10 Correction is grievous
unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof (towkechah) shall die. KJV
Proverbs 15:31 The ear that heareth
the reproof (towkechah) of life abideth among the wise.
KJV
Proverbs 15:32 He that refuseth
instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof (towkechah) getteth understanding. KJV
Proverbs 27:5 Open rebuke (towkechah) is better than secret
love. KJV
Proverbs 29:1 He, that being often
reproved (towkechah) hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that
without remedy. KJV
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof (towkechah) give wisdom: but a child
left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
KJV
Isaiah 37:3 And they said unto him, Thus
saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke (towkechah), and of blasphemy: for the
children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. KJV
Ezekiel 5:15 So it shall be a
reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that
are round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in
fury and in furious rebukes (towkechah). I the LORD have spoken it. KJV
Ezekiel 25:17 And I will execute
great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes (towkechah); and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my
vengeance upon them. KJV
Hosea 5:9 Ephraim shall be desolate
in the day of rebuke (towkechah): among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall
surely be. KJV
Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand upon my
watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto
me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved (towkechah). KJV
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