Difference between revisions of "Children"

<p> Βen , "son;" bath , "daughter;" both from baanah , to build. [[Regarded]] as consecrated to God, in the same covenant relation as the parents; therefore sons on the eighth day were circumcised (Genesis 17:12). Hence, flowed parents' responsibility to rear children in the way of the Lord (Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 6:7; Deuteronomy 11:19); also children's responsibility to obey parents, as a preparatory discipline for the higher relationship to God. At five years of age, the boy passed under the father's training. At 12 he became "son of (i.e. subject to) the law," and was advanced to a fuller instruction in it. Smiting, or even cursing, a parent was punishable with death (Exodus 21:15; Exodus 21:17); also contumacy (Deuteronomy 21:18-21; compare Deuteronomy 27:16). The child might be sold to bondage until the [[Jubilee]] year for a parent's debt (2 Kings 4:1; Nehemiah 5:5). </p> <p> [[Children]] were often nursed until they were three years old. They were carried on the mother's hip or shoulder (Isaiah 49:22; Isaiah 66:12). Governors or tutors watched them in nonage (Numbers 11:12; 2 Kings 10:1; 2 Kings 10:5; Isaiah 49:23; Galatians 3:24, paidagoogos , the guardian slave who led the child to school). The mother's example and authority were weighty over sons and daughters alike (Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 15:20), even with a royal son (1 Kings 2:19). Daughters had no right of inheritance; but if a man had no son the daughters received the inheritance, but they must marry inside their own tribe. Metaphorically: CHILDREN OF LIGHT (Luke 16:8; Luke 1Th_6:5), of obedience (1 Peter 1:14, "as children of obedience" Greek), of this world, of Belial, of wisdom (Matthew 11:19), of faith. (See BELIAL.) </p> <p> As children resemble their parent, so those in whom these several qualities, good or bad, predominate, are children of them severally (2 Samuel 23:6). So [[Barnabas]] is termed "son of consolation," expressing his predominant grace (Acts 4:36); John and James "sons of thunder," characterized by fiery zeal (Mark 3:17). So "sons of might," "daughters of sons" (compare Isaiah 5:1, "a very fruitful hill," Hebrew: "the horn (i.e. peak) of the son of oil,") "children of the bridechamber" (Matthew 9:15), the heavenly Bridgegroom's best men (friends) who go and fetch the bride, the apostles and evangelists who seek to bring sinners to Jesus and to heaven (Matthew 25). </p>

<p> Children. The blessing of offspring, but especially of the male sex, is highly valued among all eastern nations, while the absence of offspring is regarded as one of the severest punishments. [[Genesis]] 16:2; Deuteronomy 7:14; 1 Samuel 1:6; 2 Samuel 6:23; 2 Kings 4:14; Isaiah 47:9; Jeremiah 20:15; Psalms 127:3; Psalms 127:5. As soon as the child was born, it was washed in a bath, rubbed with salt and wrapped in swaddling clothes. Ezekiel 16:4; Job 38:9; Luke 2:7. </p> <p> On the 8th day, the rite of circumcision, in the case of a boy, was performed and a name given. At the end of a certain time, (forty days if a son and twice as long if a daughter), the mother offered sacrifice for her cleansing. Leviticus 12:1-8; Luke 2:22. The period of nursing appears to have been sometimes prolonged to three years. Isaiah 49:15. 2 [[Maccabees]] 7:27. The time of weaning was an occasion of rejoicing. Genesis 21:8. </p> <p> Both boys and girls, in their early years, were under the care of the women. Proverbs 31:1. Afterwards, the boys were taken by the father, under his charge. Daughters usually remained in the women's apartments till marriage. Leviticus 21:9; Numbers 12:14; 1 Samuel 9:11. The authority of parents, especially of the father, over children was very great, as was also the reverence enjoined by the law to be paid to parents. </p> <p> The inheritance was divided equally between all the sons, except the eldest, who received a double portion. Genesis 25:31; Genesis 49:3; Deuteronomy 21:17; Judges 11:2; Judges 11:7; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2. Daughters had, by right, no portion in the inheritance; but if a man had no son, his inheritance passed to his daughters, who were forbidden to marry out of the father's tribe. Numbers 27:1; Numbers 27:8; Numbers 36:2; Numbers 36:8. </p>

<p> David proclaimed, "Lo, children are an heritage of Jehovah: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3 . Women in the East had a great desire for children, as may be seen by Sarah, Rachel, and [[Leah]] giving their handmaids to their husbands that they might have children by them, and this ever characterised the women of Israel afterwards. </p> <p> The law commanded children to honour their parents, and if a son smote or cursed his parents he was put to death. Exodus 21:15,17 . [[Parents]] were to teach the law to their children, and to chastise them when needed, and if a son was disobedient and contumacious the men of the city were to stone such a one. Deuteronomy 21:18-21 . The first born was claimed by God, and had to be redeemed, Exodus 13:13; and the eldest son inherited a double portion of his father's possessions. Deuteronomy 21:17 . </p> <p> Metaphorically we meet with 'children of Zion,' 'children of Belial,' 'children of the devil,' etc., often referring to their moral character. </p> <p> In the N.T. various Greek words are translated children in the A.V. Thus in 1John, 'little children' occurs in 1 John 2:1,12,13,18,28; and though correct, yet there is a difference in the words. 1 John 2:1,12 and 28 refer to all [[Christians]] as God's children; but 1 John 2:13 and 18 refer to young children or babes as a class, in contrast to young men and fathers. Again, in many places where the word is υἱός, and should be translated 'sons,' the A.V. has 'child' or 'children,' as in Romans 9:26,27; 2 Corinthians 3:7,13; Galatians 3:7,26; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; Hebrews 11:22; Hebrews 12:5; Revelation 2:14; Revelation 7:4; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 21:12; besides often in the Gospels and Acts. See SON. Again, in Acts 4:27,30 the word is παῖς, which is as often translated 'servant' as 'child,' the word signifying both. In these verses it would be much better to translate 'thy holy servant Jesus;' David is also called 'servant' in Acts 4:25 . </p>

<p> A numerous offspring was regarded as a signal blessing, Psalm 127:3-5 , and childless wives sought various means to escape the reproach of barrenness, which was deprecated in the blessing given to a newly married couple, Ruth 4:11 . The pangs of childbirth, in their suddenness and sharpness, are often alluded to in Scripture. The apostle Paul speaks of them as fruits and evidences of the fall; but assures those who abide in faith, that, amid all the suffering that reminds them that woman was first in the transgression, Genesis 3:16 , they may yet look trustfully to God for acceptance and salvation, 1 Timothy 2:15 . </p> <p> A newborn child was washed, rubbed with salt, and wrapped in swaddling clothes, Ezekiel 16:4 Luke 2:7-11 . On the eighth day he was circumcised and named. At his weaning a feast was often made, Genesis 21:34 . The nurse of a female child often attended her through life, Genesis 24:59 35:8 . Children were to be instructed with great diligence and care, Deuteronomy 6:20-23 . They were required to honor and obey their parents, and were subject to the father's control in all things, Genesis 22:21 Numbers 30:5; they were even liable to be sold into temporary bondage for his debts, Leviticus 25:39-41 2 Kings 4:1 Matthew 18:25 . </p> <p> The first-born son received, besides other privileges, (see Genesis 21:8-21 25:1-6 49:1-27 Judges 11:1-7 . The daughters received no portion, except in cases provided for in Numbers 27:1-11 . </p> <p> The term child or children, by a Hebrew idiom, is used to express a great variety of relations: the good are called children of God, of light, of the kingdom, etc.; the bad are named children of the devil, of wrath, of disobedience, etc. A strong man is called a son of strength; an impious man, a son of Belial; an arrow, the son of a bow, and a branch the son of a tree. The posterity of a man is his "sons," for many generations. </p>

<p> (1): (n.) pl. of Child. </p> <p> (2): (pl.) of Child </p>