The strength of young men and the gray hair of old men each carry their own dignity, and a wise community honors both.
Two seasons of life appear in Proverbs 20:29: The glory of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men is their gray hair (v. 29). Each season carries its own dignity.
The glory of young men is their strength. The vigor of body and the energy of years can be poured into the work in front of them. Solomon does not denigrate this. Young strength is good in its season.
The honor of old men is their gray hair. Gray hair is shorthand in the Hebrew Bible for the wisdom and weight of years (Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31). The verse offers a quiet rebuke to a culture that worships only one of these. The young need the old; the old need the young. The wise community honors both.
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Proverbs 20:29 meaning
Two seasons of life appear in Proverbs 20:29: The glory of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men is their gray hair (v. 29). Each season carries its own dignity.
The glory of young men is their strength. The vigor of body and the energy of years can be poured into the work in front of them. Solomon does not denigrate this. Young strength is good in its season.
The honor of old men is their gray hair. Gray hair is shorthand in the Hebrew Bible for the wisdom and weight of years (Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31). The verse offers a quiet rebuke to a culture that worships only one of these. The young need the old; the old need the young. The wise community honors both.