Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."

I have read chapter 24 in Learning From the Sages: Selected Studies on the Book of Proverbs. Chapter 24 discusses how this verse has been mis-interpreted. I am going to summarize the points made and show the correct interpretation of the verse.

First, to understand this passage we need to remember what the Proverbs were written for. "Wisdom literature was associated with, written for, and promulgated by the King and his administrators, especially his scribes" (pg 286). As we will see below, this verse needs to be read with the King's son in mind or the son of a high ranking court official.

1. The verb "to train" has often been read to mean typical instruction given from a parent to a child.  The Hebrew word here for "train" as a verb is used four other times in the Old Testament in the context of dedicating or initiating the use of buildings which is usually accompanied by a great celebration. It is used eight times as a noun and refers to the cultic initiation of material objects.
          So, there are no biblical examples of the word referring to a person. There are several examples of this in postbiblical Aramaic where it is used "of a high priest, who is inaugurated;  and Isaac, who was initiated into the covenant on the 8th day.Thus, when applied to people, it refers to one "who was initiated and experienced, having duties commensurate with his status... The focus here in not on the process of training but on the resultant responsibility and status of the one initiated." It should be read here to refer to a bestowal of status and responsibility.

2. The word translated "child" should not be understood as a small child. A young man or adult is the better interpretation. This word is often used in the OT, but the age span is so diverse of the people it is referring to that it cannot refer to age. In 1 Sam 4:21 it refers to an infant, in Gen. 41:12 is it used to talk about Joseph when he is 30 years old. If it is not referring to age, what does it mean?
           The word is never used of someone of lowly birth- high status was the point. The word is also used sometimes in a military context, for a military cadet or a soldier with status above the regular troops. The word we translate as "child" is used in Josh. 6:22 of the two spies sent into Jericho. Joshua would not have sent novices. It is also used of the two men that Gideon uses to scout out the Middiantite camp in Judg. 7:10-11. In the military contexts inexperienced children cannot be meant.
           A study of the context of the other occurrences of the word show a strong case that "child" should be "young man". "He is a royal squire who is in the process of being apprenticed in wisdom for taking on royal responsibilities consistent with his status." (pg. 287)

3. "In the way he should go" would be better translated as "according to what is expected". In particular, according to "the office that he will occupy, he is to be "broken-in". (pg. 289).

4. This verse is in a string of verses concerning advice to an adult or young adult male regarding life and conduct. Parental advice doesn't seem to fit the surrounding context.

In conclusion, Proverbs 22:6 is not a promise for parents of a sinless child. It also cannot be used as biblical support for early childhood training. Instead a proper reading would be...

"Bestow upon a young man of royal (or high) status the responsibility according to what is expected in the office that he will occupy, and when he is older, he will not depart from it."