“The crown of elders is grandchildren” (Proverbs 17:6). The fathers are the crown of their children, and the children are the crown of their fathers. The fathers are the crown of their children, as it is stated: “And the glory of children is their fathers” (Proverbs 17:6). And the children are the crown of their fathers, as it is written: “The crown of elders is grandchildren.”
Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak said: Abraham was rescued from the fiery furnace due only to the merit of Jacob. This is analogous to one who had a judgment before the governor, and his sentence, issued by the governor, was that he was to be burned. That governor foresaw through astrology that he [the defendant] was destined to beget a daughter and she would marry the king. He said: ‘He is worthy to be spared due to the merit of his daughter that he is destined to beget, and she will marry the king.’
So, Abraham, his sentence issued by Nimrod was that he was to be burned. The Holy One blessed be He foresaw that Jacob was destined to emerge from him. He said: ‘Abraham is worthy of being spared due to the merit of Jacob.’ That is what is written: “Therefore, so says the Lord to the house of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham…” (Isaiah 29:22).3The order of the Hebrew words allows for "who" to be interpreted as referring to Jacob. Alternatively, “the crown of elders is grandchildren” – “this is the legacy of Isaac, Abraham’s son.”