אֹ֫רֶךְ

From the study of Proverbs 3:2

Range of meaning

A fixed phrase meaning "long life" or "a long span of time". In wisdom and covenant texts it is the stock reward for heeding instruction (Deut 30:20; Prov 3:16; Ps 91:16; Job 12:12). In worship texts it can stretch toward "for ever" (Ps 21:4 [Eng], "length of days for ever and ever"; Ps 23:6, "for length of days" = "as long as I live / for ever").

Against the English

KJV, ESV, NASB and WEB keep the idiom "length of days". BSB turns it into "add length to your days", and NIV and NLT reduce it to "prolong your life" or "live many years". All of these carry the core sense. The literal versions keep the echo of Deuteronomy, and the smoother ones lose it.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deuteronomy ties keeping God's commands to "lengthening your days" in the land (Deut 5:33; 6:2; 11:9; 30:20, where God himself is "your life and the length of your days"). Egyptian instructions also hold out long life as the reward for heeding a father's teaching. The sage Ptahhotep ends his instruction by saying he reached 110 years (Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature I).

From the study of Proverbs 3:16

Range of meaning

A fixed phrase meaning 'a long lifespan', a full life that reaches old age instead of being cut short. It is used for human life on earth (Deut 30:20; Ps 21:4; Ps 91:16; Job 12:12). In Ps 23:6 the same phrase, with the preposition 'for', means 'for a long time, for all my days'.

Against the English

KJV/WEB/YLT 'length of days' keeps the Hebrew picture. BSB, NIV, ESV, NASB and NLT say 'long life', which is accurate and clear.

How it drifted

Some Christian readers take 'length of days' to mean eternal life, partly because KJV Ps 23:6 renders the same phrase 'for ever'. Proverbs 1–9 is about life before death: reaching old age instead of an early, violent or shameful death (compare 2:18–19; 5:5; 7:27).

Used elsewhere in the period

Proverbs 3:2 uses the same phrase: the father's teaching 'will add to you length of days and years of life and peace.' Verse 16 shows Wisdom personally handing over what the teaching promised. Deuteronomy often promises that obedience will make 'your days long in the land' (Deut 5:16; 6:2; 30:20, where God himself is 'your life and the length of your days'). Egyptian wisdom texts and royal inscriptions also treat a long life (ideally 110 years) as the highest earthly blessing.

From the study of Psalm 23:6

Range of meaning

Literally 'for length of days'. It means long life (Deut 30:20; Ps 91:16; Prov 3:2, 16) or, more loosely, a very long or unending time (Ps 93:5; Lam 5:20, where it parallels lanetsach, 'forever').

Against the English

Most versions say 'forever'. YLT says 'for a length of days'. CSB says 'as long as I live'. 'Forever' is possible but pushes the phrase toward 'eternity'. The Hebrew phrase measures in days.

How it drifted

'Forever' came in through the Latin tradition and devotional use. Christian readers, especially at funerals, came to hear the line as life after death in heaven.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint: eis makrotēta hēmerōn, 'for length of days'. Vulgate: in longitudinem dierum. Both keep the literal idiom rather than 'forever'.