One of the primary points regarding the representation of children in the Bible is that they are a gift from God. The ability to have a child is a significant event in the life of a married couple, man, woman and the progress of a family that dates back to Biblical times. In this article, you will encounter Biblical passages that highlight children and their importance.
The prosperity and success of bloodlines counted on the birth of children who would carry on the family name and also help families become more efficient. Large families were considered assets, as more children meant there were more hands to work the land or tend to the business of a family.
Offspring was a blessing that all eastern nations came to respect , especially when a family produced males. For some, not having children was considered one of the worst punishments that a woman, man or family could suffer.
In the Bible, children as gifts from God include the following verses:
”¢ “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” (Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)
”¢ “And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”(Genesis 33:5 ESV)
”¢ “He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!” (Psalms 113:9 Holy Bible ESV)
As soon as a baby was born, he or she was washed in a bath. The body was rubbed down with salt and the infant was wrapped in swaddling clothes as mentioned in Ezekiel 16:4, Job 38:9, and Luke 2:7. Babies were nursed for as long as three years, where the time of weaning was a celebrated occasion. Women took cake of the boys and girls during their early years of life. When the boys grew older, they became the responsibility of the father.
When naming a child, they took on the names of family members or were named after a certain event , usually a significant occasion. It was commonplace for sons to take the name of their fathers. In Luke 1:59,61, it was started “And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.” Examples of events playing a role in the naming of a child included:
”¢ “And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.” (Exodus 2:10)
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“And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:” (Exodus 18:3,4)
