Psalm 127:4
New International Version
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.

New Living Translation
Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.

English Standard Version
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.

Berean Standard Bible
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.

King James Bible
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

New King James Version
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

New American Standard Bible
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

NASB 1995
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

NASB 1977
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

Legacy Standard Bible
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

Amplified Bible
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

Christian Standard Bible
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth.

American Standard Version
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.

Contemporary English Version
Having a lot of children to take care of you in your old age is like a warrior with a lot of arrows.

English Revised Version
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The children born to a man when he is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.

Good News Translation
The sons a man has when he is young are like arrows in a soldier's hand.

International Standard Version
As arrows in the hand of a warrior, so also are children born during one's youth.

Majority Standard Bible
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.

NET Bible
Sons born during one's youth are like arrows in a warrior's hand.

New Heart English Bible
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

Webster's Bible Translation
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man: so are children of the youth.

World English Bible
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
As arrows in the hand of a mighty one, "" So [are] the sons of the young men.

Young's Literal Translation
As arrows in the hand of a mighty one, So are the sons of the young men.

Smith's Literal Translation
As arrows in the hand of the strong one, so are sons of youth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Like arrows in the hand of the powerful, so are the sons of those who have been cast out.

New American Bible
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth.

New Revised Standard Version
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one’s youth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Like an arrow in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of the youth.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of one's youth.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man; so are the children of those who were outcasts.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Children are a Heritage From the LORD
3Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. 4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. 5Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.…

Cross References
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 17:6
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.

Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

2 Timothy 3:15
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.

Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.

Isaiah 54:13
Then all your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their prosperity.

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

1 Samuel 1:27-28
I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, / I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.

1 Timothy 3:4-5
An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity. / For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

Proverbs 23:24
The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

Malachi 2:15
Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

Luke 18:16
But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.


Treasury of Scripture

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

arrows

Jeremiah 50:9
For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.

so are children

Proverbs 17:6
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

Proverbs 31:28
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

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Psalm 127
1. The virtue of God's blessing
3. Good children are his gift














Like arrows
The imagery of arrows is powerful and evocative. In ancient times, arrows were crafted with precision and care, symbolizing the importance of preparation and purpose. The Hebrew word for "arrows" is "חִצִּים" (chitzim), which conveys the idea of something that is sharp, direct, and capable of reaching a distant target. This metaphor suggests that children, like arrows, have the potential to go far and achieve great things when guided properly. The arrow's flight is determined by the skill of the archer, emphasizing the responsibility of parents to guide their children with wisdom and intention.

in the hand of a warrior
The phrase "in the hand of a warrior" underscores the strength and skill required to wield arrows effectively. The Hebrew word for "warrior" is "גִּבּוֹר" (gibbor), meaning a mighty or valiant man. This term is often used in the Old Testament to describe heroes and champions, indicating that the upbringing of children is a task for those who are strong and courageous. Just as a warrior must be trained and disciplined, so must parents be prepared to nurture and direct their children with courage and steadfastness.

so are children
Children are likened to arrows, highlighting their potential and the impact they can have on the world. The Hebrew word for "children" is "בָּנִים" (banim), which can also mean "sons" or "descendants." This term reflects the continuation of a family line and the hope for future generations. Children are seen as a blessing and a heritage from the Lord, entrusted to parents to be raised in the knowledge and fear of God.

born in one’s youth
The phrase "born in one’s youth" suggests the vigor and energy associated with having children at a younger age. The Hebrew word for "youth" is "נְעוּרִים" (ne'urim), which refers to the early years of life when strength and vitality are at their peak. This implies that having children during one's youth allows parents to invest their energy and resources into raising them well. It also speaks to the joy and fulfillment that children bring to a family, as they grow and mature alongside their parents.

(4) Children of the youth--i.e., the offspring of an early marriage. Aquila, "sons of young and vigorous parents." The young man, with his numerous family around him, is like the vigorous warrior with his quiver full of arrows.

Verse 4. - As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth; rather, the children of youth; i.e. children born to a man in his youth. Such children protect their aged parents as effectually as arrows in the hand of a warrior.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Like arrows
כְּחִצִּ֥ים (kə·ḥiṣ·ṣîm)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2671: A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear

in the hand
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of a warrior,
גִּבּ֑וֹר (gib·bō·wr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

so [are]
כֵּ֝֗ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

children
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

[born in] one’s youth.
הַנְּעוּרִֽים׃ (han·nə·‘ū·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5271: Youth, the state, the persons


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OT Poetry: Psalm 127:4 As arrows in the hand (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 127:3
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