Parents are to guide and love their children in God’s ways, not in any self-serving ways. Parents who faithfully discharge this calling are promised that such parental investments will result in fruit that bears out as the child grows old. Faithful, believing parents can have confidence in their parenting as they entrust the long-term results to God’s sovereign care.

Reading the Book of Proverbs

Now that we have surveyed popular views of Proverbs 22:6 and established a literal translation, it is time for a brief word on how to read the Book of Proverbs. The popular and dominant view propagated by Bible teachers and even some “scholars” today says that the proverbs are just general truisms, not universal binding promises. For example, one popular author says, “the Proverbs are wise sayings and truisms—not necessarily inviolable rules” and as such, “Proverbs 22:6 is not a promise for Christian parents to claim that will guarantee their children will never depart from the way of truth.”1

As mentioned earlier, it is overstating the case to say that all the proverbs in the Book of Proverbs are the same and should be treated accordingly. Pigeon-holing and conflating all 900-plus proverbs illegitimately neutralizes all of its remarkable literary diversity and versatility.

The Book of Proverbs is made up of many kinds of different proverbs and sayings, written by different authors, under varying conditions, at different times in Israel’s history. A brief survey clearly reveals the great diversity of the book, as it is composed of at least five different units.

The first unit includes chapters 1-9, which are discourse oriented, tending to be longer poems written from a father to a son. One author notes, “These discourses differ markedly from the two line aphorisms people usually associate with proverbs.”2 The second unit covers 10:1-22:16, made up of the traditional two line aphorisms. This section is attributed to Solomon (970 BC). There are roughly 375 couplets in this section, which is the heart of the book. Each couplet stands on its own structurally and the defining feature is Hebrew parallelism, where the first line is advanced by the second line. The third unit includes 22:17-24:34 and is called “the sayings of the wise.” This unit is different in style than Solomon’s couplets, as many of the sayings are extended beyond two-line proverbs. The fourth unit covers 25:1-29:27 and is credited to the time of Hezekiah (700 BC). The fifth unit includes the last two chapters which are attributed to Agur and Lemuel, and have their own unique literary styles.

When reading a proverb, the reader needs to be aware of what section of the book they are in and needs to meditate on the individual proverb in light of its immediate context. Each of the couplets written by Solomon in chapters 10-22 stand alone. Some are general truisms; some are universal truths; some are basic warnings; some are indicatives or simple assertions of reality; and some are imperatives or commands. Proverbs 22:6 is an imperative which is its distinguishing feature that needs to be considered by the intended audience, which is believing parents.

Applying Proverbs 22:6

In light of all the foregoing it is now time to apply this classic parenting verse. The principles of application here suggested flow from the updated translation of the Hebrew text given above, which, again, is as follows:

Dedicate a young child according to his way,
and when he is much older he will not turn away from it.

Keep It Simple

The first principle to consider regarding its application is to understand that it is a one sentence couplet composed of only eleven Hebrew words and is self-contained. Being self-contained means it stands on its own. So, when you read it, keep it simple. It is meant to be read by itself and meditated upon. And as a one sentence proverbial couplet, like a parable, it conveys one main truth. Take it at face value and don’t try to infuse it with more than Solomon wanted to convey. The main truth is that parents have an obligation toward their children. The main truth is not how to secure eternal salvation for your child by some unstated parenting methodology. You can’t milk it for more than is there, in futility trying to develop a comprehensive philosophy of parenting. This proverb contributes only one plank in the vast structure of a parenting philosophy. Its main, plain, surface truth is that parents are commanded to dedicate their children to God when they are young in a comprehensive manner, doing all things in parenting in keeping with God’s way of truth, and if you discharge that duty faithfully, then it will have a long-term influence on the child.

Remember the Command

The second principle to keep in mind when meditating on Proverbs 22:6 is to remember that it is a command, for the lead verb is an imperative. Believing parents have a duty from God with respect to their young children. Here God gives a parental charge, and the parents are expected to obey. And as is true with all of God’s commands to His people, He gives them the resources to follow through successfully. As mentioned previously, this is the main point of the proverb. It is a parental command to be obeyed and fully discharged.

The Action is “Dedicate”

The third principle to consider with applying this verse is with respect to the translation of the main verb. The specific command to parents is “to dedicate.” Because the King James translation reigned supreme for so long, this is probably the most eye-opening principle to consider. We saw that the Hebrew verb is chanak and is used four other times in the Old Testament, and in those instances it is translated as “dedicate.” Its related noun form is used twelve times in the Old Testament and is always translated as “dedication” or a related form. So, there is no good reason to translate the verb as “train” in Proverbs 22:6.

Using the verb “train” does not do justice to the verb chanak. “Train” is too narrow, focusing only or mostly on teaching, whereas, “dedicate” is broader, more inclusive and holistic. “Dedicate” includes teaching, but is not limited to teaching. “Dedicate” has a broader reach. It is all-encompassing, as it inherently includes internal attitudes, not being reserved for only external methods as didactic teaching tends to be. Teaching is a one-dimensional enterprise, emphasizing the delivery of information. “Dedicate” includes the heart attitude as the prerequisite to all following methods and behavior with respect to parenting the young child.  When Solomon “dedicated” the Temple, the point of emphasis was reverent devotion and exaltation toward the Giver of gifts, the gift being the Temple. 

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