Proverbs 20:29
Proverbs 20:29 in Multiple Translations
The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
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 hoary head.
The glory of young men is their strength, and the honour of old men is their grey hairs.
Young men value their strength, but the old value even more the wisdom that comes with gray hair.
The beautie of yong men is their strength, and the glory of the aged is the gray head.
The beauty of young men is their strength, And the honour of old men is grey hairs.
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 joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
We honor/admire young people because they are strong, but we respect [MTY] old people more because they are wise.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 20:29
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 20:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת
בַּחוּרִ֣ים
כֹּחָ֑/ם
וַ/הֲדַ֖ר
זְקֵנִ֣ים
שֵׂיבָֽה
תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת
tiphʼârâh
H8597
beauty
N-fs
בַּחוּרִ֣ים
bâchûwr
H970
youth
N-mp
כֹּחָ֑/ם
kôach
H3581
reptile
N-ms | Suff
וַ/הֲדַ֖ר
hâdâr
H1926
glory
Conj | N-ms
זְקֵנִ֣ים
zâqên
H2205
old
Adj
שֵׂיבָֽה
sêybâh
H7872
greyheaded
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 20:29
תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת
tiphʼârâh
H8597
"beauty"
N-fs
This Hebrew word describes something beautiful or glorious, like a lovely garment or a person's honor. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's glory, as well as the beauty of creation and human achievements, as seen in Psalm and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) beauty, splendour, glory 1a) beauty, finery (of garments, jewels) 1b) glory 1b1) of rank, renown 1b2) as attribute of God 1c) honour (or nation Israel) 1d) glorying, boasting (of individual)
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: beauty(-iful), bravery, comely, fair, glory(-ious), honour, majesty. See also: Exodus 28:2; Isaiah 28:4; Psalms 71:8.
בַּחוּרִ֣ים
bâchûwr
H970
"youth"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word refers to a young person, often a chosen or select individual, like a young man in his prime. It appears in various contexts, including descriptions of young soldiers. The term emphasizes the idea of being selected or set apart.
Definition: youth, young man
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: (choice) young (man), chosen, [idiom] hole. See also: Deuteronomy 32:25; Jeremiah 18:21; Psalms 78:31.
כֹּחָ֑/ם
kôach
H3581
"reptile"
N-ms | Suff
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Definition: 1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean 1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth. See also: Genesis 4:12; Job 36:5; Psalms 22:16.
וַ/הֲדַ֖ר
hâdâr
H1926
"glory"
Conj | N-ms
In the original Hebrew, this word means glory, beauty, or majesty, and is used to describe God's splendor and excellence. It appears in descriptions of God's power and glory in the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) ornament, splendour, honour 1a) ornament 1b) splendour, majesty 1c) honour, glory
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour, majesty. See also: Leviticus 23:40; Psalms 145:5; Psalms 8:6.
זְקֵנִ֣ים
zâqên
H2205
"old"
Adj
This Hebrew word means old or elderly, as in the case of the elderly men who appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18:11. It can also refer to those in positions of authority, like the elders who helped Moses in Exodus 24:1. The term is used to describe respect and leadership.
Definition: : old 1) old 1a) old (of humans) 1b) elder (of those having authority) Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator. See also: Genesis 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:14; Psalms 105:22.
שֵׂיבָֽה
sêybâh
H7872
"greyheaded"
N-fs
This word describes old age, gray hair, or a long life. In the Bible, it is used to signify wisdom and experience, and is translated as gray or old age in the KJV.
Definition: 1) age, gray hair, hoary head, old age 1a) gray hair, hoary head 1b) old age
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: (be) gray (grey hoar,-y) hairs (head,-ed), old age. See also: Genesis 15:15; 1 Kings 2:6; Psalms 71:18.
Study Notes — Proverbs 20:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 20:29 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 20:29
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 20:29
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 20:29
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 20:29
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 20:29
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 20:29
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 20:29
- Sermons on Proverbs 20:29
Context — Wine Is a Mocker
27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
28Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
29The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
30Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 John 2:14 | I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. |
| 2 | Proverbs 16:31 | Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. |
| 3 | Leviticus 19:32 | You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 9:23–24 | This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth— for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. |
Proverbs 20:29 Summary
This verse is saying that when we are young, our strength and energy are a wonderful gift from God, and when we are old, our gray hair is a symbol of wisdom and experience. As we go through different stages of life, we can appreciate and respect the unique qualities of each season, and use our strengths and abilities to serve and bless others, just as the Bible teaches us to do in Romans 12:3-8. By honoring and valuing every stage of life, we can live with dignity and purpose, and bring glory to God. As we reflect on this verse, we can ask ourselves how we can make the most of our own stage of life, and how we can respect and learn from those who are in different seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the glory of young men is their strength?
This phrase suggests that the physical strength and vitality of youth are a source of pride and admiration, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7 where God looks at the heart but also acknowledges the physical appearance of David as a young man.
Is gray hair only a symbol of old age, or is there more to it?
Gray hair is not just a sign of aging, but also a symbol of wisdom, experience, and dignity, as mentioned in Leviticus 19:32 where we are to stand up in the presence of the elderly, showing respect for their age and wisdom.
How can we apply this verse to our lives, regardless of our age?
We can apply this verse by recognizing that every stage of life has its unique strengths and blessings, and by honoring and respecting those who are in different seasons of life, as encouraged in Psalm 71:18 where the psalmist asks God to teach him while he is old and gray.
Does this verse imply that young people are more important than old people, or vice versa?
No, this verse does not imply that one group is more important than the other; rather, it highlights the unique qualities and strengths of each stage of life, and encourages us to appreciate and value them, as seen in 1 Timothy 5:1-2 where we are to treat older men and women with respect and kindness.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can honor and respect the elderly in my life, and learn from their wisdom and experience?
- How can I use my own strengths and abilities, whether physical or spiritual, to serve and bless others?
- What are some things that I can do to cultivate wisdom and dignity as I grow older, and to make the most of every stage of life?
- In what ways can I balance the energy and idealism of youth with the wisdom and caution that come with age, as seen in the life of Solomon who asked for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 20:29
The glory of young men [is] their strength,.... That is the excellent thing in them, and it is to their honour when it is employed in the service of their king and country, and especially in the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 20:29
The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 20:29
The glory of young men; that wherein they glory as their privilege above old men. The beauty of old men is the grey head, i.e. their old age, expressed by the outward sign of it, wherein they glory as their peculiar privilege, as a testimony of their piety and God’ s blessing, and as a token of their great experience and wisdom. The design of this proverb is to declare the several advantages of several ages, and the mutual need they have one of another, and thereby to engage them to mutual love and assistance, and to friendly converse, and to make every one contented with his own age and condition, and not to envy nor yet despise his brother, or the difference of their ages, as is very usual among men.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 20:29
Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men [is] their strength: and the beauty of old men [is] the gray head.Ver. 29. The glory of young men is their strength.] If well used in following their callings, and fighting for their countries, as those young men of the princes of the provinces did, and not in quarrelling and duelling, as those youngsters of Helkathhazzurim, who sheathed their swords in their fellows’ bowels. And the beauty of old men is their gray head.] That silver crown of hoary hairs, saith one, which the finger of God doth set upon their heads, makes them venerable in all places where they come; so that they carry an authority or majesty with them, as it were.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 20:29
(29) The beauty of old men is the grey head.—As suggesting the possession of experience and wisdom. It is the fault of the aged, therefore, if they do not receive the honour due to them, and this arises from their not having so spent their youth and middle age as to make their old age venerable.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 20:29
Verse 29. The glory of young men is their strength] Scarcely any young man affects to be wise, learned, c. but all delight to show their strength and to be reputed strong. Agility, one evidence of strength, their particularly affect; and hence their various trials of strength and fleetness in public exercises. And the beauty of old men is the gray head.] They no longer affect strength and agility, but they affect wisdom, experience, prudent counsels, &c., and are fond of being reputed wise, and of having respect paid to their understanding and experience.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 20:29
29. The glory of young men — Literally, choice men, young warriors. Is their strength — Their strength is the quality in which they most glory, and which they most delight in exhibiting.
Sermons on Proverbs 20:29
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Character With Age by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about the refining process of old ships and how it parallels the quality of character in old age, emphasizing that the straining and wrenching of life, a |
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The Temptation to Do Good by Norman Grubb | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the deep things of God and how they are actually very simple. He emphasizes that the deep things of God can be summed up in three sentences: G |
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Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Hans R. Waldvogel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of seeking God and spending time in prayer. He encourages listeners to come to God and drink from the fountain of His promise |
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We Need Never Be Discouraged (Kannada) by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding Satan's tactics, particularly focusing on discouragement as one of his main weapons against young people. It highlights the n |
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Suffering for the Sake of the Body - Lesson 1 by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the reality of suffering in the world and the need for Americans to be aware of the privilege they have compared to most of the world. He hig |
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If My Words Abide in You by John Piper | This sermon emphasizes the importance of memorizing scripture to deepen understanding, strengthen faith, shape worldview, overcome temptation, guard the mind, and minister to other |
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Of Christian Fortitude. by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the importance of Christian fortitude, which is characterized by a firm and courageous spirit that aligns with God's will. He distinguishes true Christian fort |