Proverbs 22:6
A lesson for all parents
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
This verse from Proverbs is talking about teaching children. Let’s discover the meaning of this verse from the Bible.
“Train up a child in the way he should go”
The Hebrew word for “train up” (ḥă·nōḵ - חֲנֹ֣ךְ) is also translated with “dedicated”. In the New Testament it is comparable to “instructed”. This verse is talking about teaching children to live the way they should live, in accordance with God’s word.
- Genesis 14:14: “Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.”
- Luke 1:4: “That you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.”
- Acts 18:25: “This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.”
- Romans 2:18: “And know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law;”
- 1 Corinthians 14:19: “yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”
- Galatians 6:6: “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.”
“And [or “even”] when he is old he will not depart from it.”
When the child gets older, he will carry your teachings with him. The things he was taught will stay with him. The Hebrew word for “depart” (yā·sūr - יָס֥וּר) also means “to turn away”. The child will not turn away from what was taught.
Today’s lesson: This verse from Proverbs is a lesson for all parents. Tell your children about Christ. Lead them to the Truth. They will not depart from it when they grow up.
- Ephesians 6:4: “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
- Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”