As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth - i:e., sons begotten in youth, when the father is in full strength (Genesis 49:3: cf. Isaiah 54:6). "Children of the youth" come then to the height of their manhood when the parents are declining in strength and need protection. They are like arrows-a defense against the enemies of their parents. The Chinese proverb says, 'When a son is born into a family, a bow and arrow are flung up at the gate' - i:e., a new protector is given to the family.