Translations
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are sons born in one's prime.
Like arrows in the grip of a mighty warrior, so are the children born in the strength of one's youth.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.
Footnotes
Gibbor is not a generic soldier but a proven warrior of exceptional valor—the title given to David's elite fighting men (2 Sam. 23). B'nei ha-ne'urim, "sons of the youthful years," points to children born when a father is in his full vigor, who therefore come of age while he is still strong enough to stand beside them. The arrow image is precisely chosen: arrows are shaped entirely by the archer's skill and intention, yet once loosed they travel beyond his reach—children are formed by parents but ultimately launched into futures no parent can control. F.O.G. uses "prime" for compressed force; F.O.G.M. expands to "strength of one's youth" to let the image of intentional, vigorous fathering breathe.
