Tag Archives: Proverbs 22:6

Training Up a Child: Analyzing חֲנֹךְ in Proverbs 22:6

Posted on March 21, 2025 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Proverbs 22:6: The Way a Child Should Go Proverbs 22:6 stands as one of the most quoted and widely discussed verses in the Hebrew Bible regarding parenting and education. At its heart is the imperative verb חֲנֹךְ (ḥănōkh), “Train!” or “Dedicate!”—a rare yet powerful word that conveys far more than basic instruction. This analysis explores its morphology, semantic range, contextual meaning, and theological implications, showing how the verb roots this proverb in the deep soil of moral formation and lifelong direction.… Learn Hebrew
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Teach Them Early: Imperative Syntax, Construct Chains, and Temporal Clauses

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Advanced Hebrew Grammar
חֲנֹ֣ךְ לַ֭נַּעַר עַל־פִּ֣י דַרְכֹּ֑ו גַּ֥ם כִּֽי־֝יַזְקִ֗ין לֹֽא־יָס֥וּר מִמֶּֽנָּה׃ (Proverbs 22:6) Train the youth according to his way; even when he grows old, he will not turn away from it. A Proverb with a Long View This well-known verse offers practical wisdom about education and lifelong formation. Its grammar is simple yet elegant, conveying a profound principle through the use of imperative command, construct chain idiom, and a temporal conditional clause. The structure reveals how formative instruction connects to enduring behavior. The Imperative: חֲנֹ֣ךְ לַנַּעַר חֲנֹךְ – Imperative 2ms from the root ח־נ־ך, “to dedicate, train, initiate” לַנַּעַר – “to the youth” (preposition לְ + definite article + noun) The verb חֲנֹךְ has connotations of formal dedication or ritual beginning, especially in temple language.… Learn Hebrew
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