Age, Aged, Old Age
Age, Aged, Old Age
AGE, AGED, OLD AGE.In the OT advancing age is represented by words of different root-meanings. The aged man is zqen, perhaps grey-bearded (Gen 48:10, 2Sa 19:32, Job 12:20; Job 32:9, Psa 71:18, Jer 6:11); old age is also sbhh, i.e. hoary-headedness (Gen 15:15, 1Ki 14:4; cf. Gen 42:38, Psa 71:18). According to the Mishna (Ab. v. 21) the latter word implies a greater age (70) than the former (60). But in Job 15:10 (cf. Job 29:8) yshsh, i.e. very aged, marks a further advance in years, of which the sign is a withering of strength. Psa 90:10 is the only passage in which a definite period is fixed for human life. The idea that hale old age (kelach) is a blessing is expressed in Job 5:26; the contrast is furnished by the gloomy picture (Job 30:2) of the fathers whose old age lacks vigour.
The wisdom of the old was proverbial (Job 12:12; Job 32:7), though there were exceptions (Job 32:9, Psa 119:100). The experience of the older men fitted them for positions of trust and authority; hence by a natural transition of thought elders became an official title Exo 3:16, Act 11:30). Respect is to be shown to the old (Lev 19:32, Pro 23:22), and the decay of reverence for age is an evil omen (Deu 28:50, 1Ki 12:8, Isa 47:6). It was to the grandmother of Obed that the Hebrew women said he shall be a nourisher of thine old age (Rth 4:15); the dutiful affection of childrens children illumined the gracious message of Israels God: even to old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you (Isa 46:4).
J. G. Tasker.