Proverbs 17:6

KJV

¶ Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [are] their fathers.

KJV (with Strong's)

Children's {H1121} children {H1121} are the crown {H5850} of old men {H2205}; and the glory {H8597} of children {H1121} are their fathers {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, while the glory of children is their ancestors.

Berean Standard Bible

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.

American Standard Version

Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 17:6 eloquently articulates the profound intergenerational honor and reciprocal joy found within the family unit. It posits that grandchildren serve as a visible "crown" of dignity and accomplishment for the elderly, symbolizing a blessed legacy and the successful continuation of a family line. Conversely, the verse declares that children find their "glory" and standing in the righteous character and honorable reputation of their fathers, underscoring the enduring impact of parental integrity on their offspring's identity and societal esteem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 17 is a collection of various wisdom sayings, often presented as couplets that offer practical guidance for living a righteous and flourishing life. While not a continuous narrative, the proverbs frequently touch upon themes of family, justice, speech, and the consequences of moral choices. Verse 6, in particular, stands as a standalone aphorism within this chapter, yet it resonates with the broader emphasis in Proverbs on the importance of wisdom, character, and the blessing of a godly heritage. It immediately follows proverbs discussing the testing of hearts and the nature of wickedness, providing a contrasting picture of the blessings that accrue from a well-ordered and God-honoring life, particularly within the family sphere.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, the family (the _bet 'av_, or "father's house") was the foundational social, economic, and religious unit. Lineage and the continuation of the family name were paramount, often seen as a divine blessing and a sign of God's favor. Having many children, and especially grandchildren, was a testament to a long and fruitful life, ensuring the family's legacy and influence. The elderly were highly respected for their wisdom and experience, and their honor was often tied to the prosperity and character of their descendants. Fathers, as patriarchs, held significant authority and responsibility for the moral and spiritual upbringing of their children, and their reputation directly impacted the social standing of their offspring. This cultural value system deeply informed the proverb's assertion about generational honor.
* **Key Themes:** This proverb contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Proverbs and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Generational Blessing and Legacy**, emphasizing that the fruit of one's descendants, particularly grandchildren, is a visible sign of a life well-lived and a heritage passed down. This echoes the promise of a numerous offspring given to Abraham in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham") and the depiction of children as a heritage from the Lord in [Psalm 127:3](/psalms/127-3 "Psalm 127:3 - Children as a Heritage"). Another crucial theme is **Parental Honor and Influence**, as the proverb asserts that children derive "glory" from their fathers. This underscores the profound impact of a father's character, wisdom, and righteous living on the identity and reputation of his children, aligning with the commandment to honor parents found in [Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment"). Finally, the proverb subtly promotes **Reciprocal Respect and Interdependence** within the family, illustrating how honor flows both ways—from descendants to elders and from parents to children—strengthening the bonds of kinship and mutual pride.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Crown (Hebrew, _ʻăṭârâh'_):** This term (H5850) refers to an adornment, dignity, or honor, often a circlet worn on the head. In this context, it signifies the high esteem, respect, and sense of fulfillment that grandchildren bring to their elderly grandparents. It's not merely an external decoration but an internal sense of worth and a public acknowledgment of a life that has successfully propagated its lineage and values. It implies a culmination of life's efforts and a visible sign of God's blessing on a long and fruitful life.
* **Glory (Hebrew, _tiphʼârâh'_):** This word (H8597) denotes beauty, splendor, honor, or majesty. Here, it describes the pride, identity, and respect that children gain from their fathers. A father's good name, his integrity, his accomplishments, and his character reflect positively on his children, providing them with a strong foundation and a source of honor within the community. It suggests that children's standing is significantly enhanced by the reputation and conduct of their parents.
* **Children (Hebrew, _bên'_):** This pervasive term (H1121) encompasses a wide range of familial relationships beyond just direct offspring, including grandsons, descendants, or even members of a particular group. Its root meaning, "builder of the family name," is highly relevant here, as it underscores the role of children and grandchildren in perpetuating the family's legacy and identity. The repetition of "children's children" (grandchildren) and "children" highlights the multi-generational scope of the proverb's wisdom, emphasizing the continuity and interconnectedness of family lineage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Children's children are the crown of old men":** This clause highlights the honor and joy that grandchildren bring to their grandparents. The presence of grandchildren signifies a long life, a successful lineage, and the continuation of the family name, which were highly valued in ancient Israelite culture. Grandchildren are seen as a visible "crown," an adornment that brings dignity, respect, and a sense of fulfilled legacy to the elderly. It is a testament to God's blessing and the fruit of a life well-lived.
* **"and the glory of children are their fathers":** This second clause emphasizes the reciprocal nature of intergenerational honor. Children find their "glory"—their honor, identity, and standing—in their fathers. A father's good name, his wisdom, his righteous character, and his accomplishments reflect positively on his offspring. This means that a father's integrity and reputation provide a strong foundation and a source of pride for his children, influencing their social standing and personal identity within the community.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 17:6 employs several effective **Literary Devices** to convey its message. The primary device is **Parallelism**, specifically a form of **Synonymous Parallelism** where the two clauses express similar ideas of reciprocal honor across generations, albeit from different perspectives. "Children's children are the crown of old men" is balanced by "the glory of children are their fathers," creating a harmonious and reinforcing statement about intergenerational blessing. Furthermore, the proverb utilizes **Metaphor**, with "crown" and "glory" serving as powerful images. A "crown" is a symbol of royalty, honor, and achievement, metaphorically representing the dignity and fulfillment grandchildren bring to the elderly. "Glory" similarly functions as a metaphor for the honor, reputation, and identity that children inherit from their fathers. This use of metaphor elevates the familial relationships beyond mere biology, imbuing them with profound significance and spiritual value.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 17:6 beautifully encapsulates the biblical emphasis on the family as a primary sphere of God's blessing and the importance of intergenerational faithfulness. The concept of "crown" for the elderly through their descendants resonates with the broader biblical theme of a fruitful lineage as a sign of divine favor, a promise first given to Abraham and consistently affirmed throughout Israel's history. It underscores that a life lived in wisdom and righteousness yields not only personal blessing but also a legacy that extends to future generations, bringing honor to those who have gone before. Similarly, the "glory" children find in their fathers highlights the profound responsibility and privilege of parenthood, particularly fatherhood, in shaping the character and identity of the next generation. This reciprocal honor within the family unit reflects God's design for human flourishing, where mutual respect, legacy, and the transmission of godly values are paramount.

* [Psalm 127:3](/psalms/127-3 "Psalm 127:3 - Children as a Heritage from the Lord")
* [Psalm 128:6](/psalms/128-6 "Psalm 128:6 - Seeing Your Children's Children")
* [Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Command to Honor Parents")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 17:6 offers profound insights for every generation, calling us to cultivate relationships that bring honor and blessing across the family tree. For grandparents and the elderly, this verse encourages a life of continued wisdom, faithfulness, and prayer, understanding that their very existence and the legacy they've built are a "crown" to their descendants. It invites them to cherish their grandchildren not just as beloved family members, but as a visible testament to God's enduring faithfulness and the fruit of their life's journey. For parents, especially fathers, the call is to live with integrity, character, and wisdom, recognizing that their actions and reputation directly contribute to the "glory" and identity their children will carry. This is a powerful reminder that our lives are not lived in isolation; our choices echo through generations, shaping the foundation upon which our children and grandchildren will build their own lives. For children, the proverb fosters a deep appreciation for their heritage and a call to honor their parents, understanding that their family's good name is a source of pride and a legacy to uphold. In a society that often fragments families, this proverb champions the beauty and strength of intergenerational connection, urging us to invest in relationships that bring mutual honor, joy, and a lasting legacy of faith and character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I actively contribute to the "crown" or "glory" of my family across generations?**
* **In what ways does my life reflect a legacy that I would want my descendants to inherit and find honor in?**
* **What practical steps can I take to foster stronger, more honoring relationships with both older and younger generations in my family?**
* **How does this proverb challenge my understanding of success and fulfillment, moving beyond individual achievement to generational blessing?**

### FAQ
**What does "children's children are the crown of old men" mean?**

Answer: This phrase means that grandchildren (children's children) bring great honor, dignity, and joy to their grandparents (old men). In ancient Israelite culture, having many descendants, especially grandchildren, was considered a profound blessing from God, a sign of a long and fruitful life, and a guarantee of the family's legacy. The "crown" symbolizes the respect, fulfillment, and public recognition that comes from seeing one's lineage continue and thrive. It signifies that the elderly person's life has been well-lived and blessed, culminating in the joy of seeing their family extend into future generations, much like a king wears a crown as a symbol of his authority and honor.

**What does "the glory of children are their fathers" imply?**

Answer: This part of the proverb signifies that children derive their honor, reputation, and standing (their "glory") from their fathers. In a patriarchal society, a father's character, wisdom, integrity, and social standing directly influenced the identity and respect accorded to his children. If a father lived righteously, was wise, and had a good reputation, his children would share in that honor and be proud of their heritage. Conversely, a father's poor choices could bring shame upon his children. Thus, it underscores the immense responsibility of fathers to live honorably, as their lives profoundly shape the identity and future of their offspring. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical emphasis on family lineage and the transmission of values, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Instructions to Teach Children").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 17:6, while rooted in the tangible blessings of earthly lineage, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the spiritual family He establishes. Jesus is the ultimate "Son" who brings eternal "glory" to the "Father" (as seen in [John 17:1](/john/17-1 "John 17:1 - Jesus Prays for His Glory")). Conversely, the Father's eternal "glory" is fully revealed in the Son (as in [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")). Through Christ, believers are adopted into God's eternal family, becoming "children of God" (as declared in [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God")). In this spiritual sense, the Church, composed of these adopted children from every tribe and nation, becomes the "crown" and "glory" of Christ, who is the "Ancient of Days" ([Daniel 7:9](/daniel/7-9 "Daniel 7:9 - The Ancient of Days")) and the true "Father of eternity" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father")). Our spiritual lineage is not merely physical descent but a new birth into God's family, where Christ is our ultimate Father and the source of our eternal glory and identity, ensuring a legacy that transcends earthly generations and endures forever in the kingdom of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 127:3

Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.

Psalms 127:5

Happy [is] the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Proverbs 13:22

¶ A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.

Proverbs 16:31

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

Psalms 128:3

Thy wife [shall be] as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Psalms 128:6

Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, [and] peace upon Israel.

Exodus 3:14

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.