Advanced age was seen as a sign of God’s blessing and a source of honor and dignity. Proverbs 16:31 says, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness” (NIV), and Job observes, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (Job 12:12 NIV). Even today, it’s an insult in the Middle East to estimate a person’s age as too young. Hasidic Jews line the cribs of their newborns with pictures of long-bearded rabbis, who are the “rock stars” of their world.
