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Proverbs 20:29

20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

KJV

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The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.

The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.

20:30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. cleanseth: Heb. is a purging medicine against

What does Proverbs 20:29 mean?

Proverbs 20:29 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include תִּפְאָרָה (tiphʼârâh), בָּחוּר (bâchûwr), כֹּחַ (kôach). It connects to 18 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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The
gloryתִּפְאָרָהtiphʼârâh/tif-aw-raw'/H8597ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
of
young
menבָּחוּרbâchûwr/baw-khoor'/H970properly, selected, i.e. a youth (often collective)
is
their
strength:כֹּחַkôach/ko'-akh/H3581vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
and
the
beautyהָדָרhâdâr/haw-dawr'/H1926magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor
of
old
menזָקֵןzâqên/zaw-kane'/H2205old
is
the
gray
head.שֵׂיבָהsêybâh/say-baw'/H7872old age

Commentary on Proverbs 20:29

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 20:29
at both young and old have their advantages, and therefore must each of them be, according to their capacities, serviceable to the public, and neither of them despise nor envy the other. 1. Let not old people despise the young, for they are strong and fit for action, able to go through business and break through difficulties, which the aged and weak cannot grapple with. The glory of young men is their strength, provided they use it well (in the service of God and their country, not of their lusts), and that they be not proud of it nor trust to it. 2. Let not young people despise the old, for they are grave, and fit for counsel, and, though they have not the strength that young men have, yet they have more wisdom and experience. Juniores ad labores, seniores ad honores — Labour is for the young, honour for the aged. God has put honour upon the old man; for his gray head is his beauty. See Dan. vii. 9 . 30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. Note, 1. Many need severe rebukes.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

2 Kings 7:6

For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

Job 4:13

In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,

Job 5:19

He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

Job 6:4

For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

Job 24:14

The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:6

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:23

Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

Proverbs 27:1

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. to: Heb. to morrow day

Proverbs 28:1

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Isaiah 21:4

My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me. heart: or, mind wandered turned: Heb. put

Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Lamentations 3:12

He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.

Lamentations 3:13

He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins. arrows: Heb. sons

Matthew 8:26

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

Luke 12:20

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? thy: Gr. do they require thy soul

Luke 12:39

And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

Hebrews 13:6

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Topics

Young Men

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 20:29.

Deuteronomy 32:25

The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs. within: Heb. from the chambers destroy: Heb. bereave

Genesis 25:8

Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

Leviticus 19:32

Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.

Proverbs 16:31

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Psalms 96:6

Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 20:29 say?

Proverbs 20:29 (King James Version) reads: "The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head."

Is Proverbs 20:29 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 20:29 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 20:29, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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