Proverbs 17:6

6 ¹Grandchildren are ²the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.

Proverbs 17:6 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:6

Children's children [are] the crown of old men
Ancient parents. Grandfathers with the Jews are called old men, as Buxtorf ^F4 observes. A numerous progeny was reckoned a great blessing to a man; to have his table surrounded with children, as olive plants; to be encircled with a large family was a crown of glory ^F5; and to live to see children's children, a large number of grandchildren, was still a greater glory; and especially, as Jarchi observes, when these children, or children's children, were walking in a good way, in the good ways of religion and godliness, they trained them up in. Christ is the Ancient of days, the everlasting Father; and it is his glory, as Mediator, to see his seed, to have a numerous off spring; and which will endure for ever, as the days of heaven: ministers of the Gospel are spiritual fathers; and those who have been converted under their ministry wilt be their joy and "crown of rejoicing" at the last day, ( 1 Thessalonians 2:19 ) ; and the glory of children [are] their fathers;
who are wise, as Aben Ezra observes; and righteous, as Jarchi: if they are wise and good men, it is an honour to their children that they descend from them; nor are they ashamed to own their relation to them, but glory in it, as the Jews did in Abraham, saying, "We have Abraham for our father", ( Matthew 3:9 ) ( Luke 3:8 ) : but, on the contrary, if their fathers are foolish or wicked, their children are ashamed of them, and do not care to acknowledge their descent from them; and such parents, who are an honour to their children, their children should be careful to tread in their steps, that they reflect no dishonour on them; particularly as it is our great honour and glory to have God for our father, to be his adopted sons and daughters, we should be followers of him as dear children, and be obedient ones.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 In Lex. Talmud. col. 684.
F5 "Te felix natorum turba coronat", Claudian. de Raptu Prosperp. l. 1. v. 109.

Proverbs 17:6 In-Context

4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.

7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.

8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 128:6; [Psalms 127:3, 4]
• 2. Proverbs 16:31