Biblical Wisdom on Listening to Older People
The biblical concept of listening to older people is rooted in the idea that age brings wisdom and understanding. Job 12:12 states, "Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life" [1]. This notion is echoed in Deuteronomy 32:7, which instructs, "Remember the days of old. Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you" [3].
The biblical tradition emphasizes the importance of respecting and honoring the elderly. Leviticus 19:32 commands, "You shall rise before the aged, and defer to the old; and you shall fear your God" [10]. This respect is not merely a matter of age but also of the wisdom and experience that comes with it. The elderly are seen as a source of knowledge and guidance, as Psalms 78:6 notes, "that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born; who should arise and tell their children" [2].
In Jewish tradition, the respect for the elderly is further elaborated. The Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) instructs that one should stand before an old man of advanced age, even if he is not a sage [5]. The Midrash Rabbah notes that the elderly merit that Israel was redeemed through them because of their wisdom and understanding [6].
Christian interpreters have also emphasized the importance of listening to older people. Matthew Henry comments on Proverbs 16:31, noting that old people should be found in the way of righteousness and that their age should teach them the best wisdom [8]. John Gill, commenting on Proverbs 23:22, advises young people to hearken to their fathers and not despise their mothers when they are old [9].
The patristic tradition also reflects on the value of age and experience. Augustine notes that Christ, despite being young, had more understanding than all his teachers because he studied the testimonies of God [7].
The biblical wisdom on listening to older people is not limited to the Old Testament. The concept of honoring the elderly is seen as a way of honoring God. The New Testament continues this emphasis, with the elderly being respected for their wisdom and experience.
The significance of age and experience is closely tied to the concept of wisdom. Proverbs 22:17 advises, "Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge" [4]. The biblical tradition sees wisdom as something that is acquired over time, and the elderly are seen as a valuable resource for passing on this wisdom to the next generation.
Sources
- Job “Job 12:12 (BSB) — Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.”
- Psalms “that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born; who should arise and tell their children, -- Psalms 78:6”
- Deuteronomy “Remember the days of old. Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you. -- Deuteronomy 32:7”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 22:17 (BSB) — Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge—”
- Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Torah Study 6:9: We should stand before an old man of exceedingly advanced age, 1 The Shulchan Aruch ( Yoreh De'ah 244:1) explains this as referring to a man of seventy. Others, emphasizing that the Rambam uses the term "exceedingly advanced age," see that as a reference to Gittin 28a, which describes a person ninety years old with such terminology. even if he is not a sage. 2 The Ramah ( Yoreh De'ah 244:1) emphasizes that there is no obligation to stand before a wicked man. The commentaries have raised questions concerning this law, noting that it ”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Shemot Rabbah 16:1: “Moses called all the elders of Israel, and said to them: Draw, and take for yourselves lambs for your families, and slaughter the paschal offering” (Exodus 12:21). “Moses called all the elders of Israel” – that is what is written: “With the aged is wisdom and with the length of days understanding” (Job 12:12). Why did the elders merit that Israel was redeemed through them? When the Holy One blessed be He appeared to Moses at the bush, He said to him: “Go, and gather the elders of Israel” (Exodus 3:16). When Moses came, immediately: “Moses and Aaron went and”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM CXIX.(2) (part 39): "He took upon Himself the form of a servant;"(12) for when He had assumed this form, men of more advanced age might think Him fit to be taught as a boy; but He whom the Father taught, had more understanding than all His teachers. "For Thy testimonies," He saith, "are my study." For this reason He had more understanding than all His teachers, because He studied the testimonies of God, which, as concerning Himself, He knew better than they, when He spoke these words: "Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. ”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 16:31: Note, 1. It ought to be the great care of old people to be found in the way of righteousness, the way of religion and serious godliness. Both God and man will look for them in that way; it will be expected that those that are old should be good, that the multitude of their years should teach them the best wisdom; let them therefore be found in that way. Death will come; the Judge is coming; the Lord is at hand. That they may be found of him in peace, let them be found in the way of righteousness (Pe2 3:14), found so doing, Mat 24:46. Let old people be old disci”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 23:22: Hearken unto thy father that begat thee,.... And who has a true and hearty affection for thee, and whatever he says is for thy good and welfare, which he studies and has at heart; and who therefore also has an authority over thee, and what he enjoins ought to be strictly regarded; and, having lived longer in the world, must be thought to have a larger experience and knowledge of things, and therefore should be hearkened unto; and despise not thy mother when she is old; despise not her counsels, instructions, and advice, though she is old; and because she is so, d”
- Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 19:32: 19:32 In the ancient world, the elderly and the aged were respected for their wisdom (Job 32:7). Honoring the elderly also honors God.”