Topical Encyclopedia
Childhood in the Bible is a period marked by growth, learning, and innocence. It is a time when individuals are nurtured and prepared for the responsibilities of adulthood. The Scriptures provide various insights into the nature and significance of childhood, emphasizing the importance of guidance, discipline, and the spiritual development of children.
Biblical References to Childhood:1.
Creation and Birth: · The Bible begins with the creation of humanity, highlighting the significance of children as a blessing from God. In
Genesis 1:28, God commands Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it." This command underscores the importance of procreation and the continuation of human life through children.
2.
Innocence and Dependence: · Children are often depicted as symbols of innocence and purity. Jesus Himself uses children as examples of the humility and faith required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In
Matthew 18:3, He states, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
3.
Parental Responsibility: · The Bible places a strong emphasis on the role of parents in the upbringing of their children.
Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse highlights the importance of instilling moral and spiritual values from a young age.
4.
Discipline and Instruction: · Discipline is seen as an essential aspect of childhood, necessary for developing character and wisdom.
Proverbs 13:24 states, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently." This reflects the belief that loving discipline is crucial for a child's growth.
5.
Jesus’ Childhood: · The Gospels provide a glimpse into the childhood of Jesus, emphasizing His growth in wisdom and favor with God and man.
Luke 2:52 records, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." This passage highlights the balanced development of Jesus in physical, intellectual, and spiritual aspects.
6.
Protection and Care: · The Bible also speaks to the protection and care of children.
Psalm 127:3 declares, "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him." This verse underscores the value and blessing of children, encouraging their protection and nurturing.
7.
Spiritual Instruction: · The spiritual education of children is a recurring theme.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage emphasizes the importance of teaching children about God’s laws and ways.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Israel, childhood was a time of learning and preparation for adult roles within the family and community. Children were expected to learn the traditions and laws of their people, often through oral instruction and observation. The family unit was central to a child's development, with parents and extended family members playing key roles in their upbringing.
Theological Implications:Theologically, childhood is seen as a time of potential and promise. Children are viewed as gifts from God, entrusted to parents for care and instruction. The Bible’s teachings on childhood reflect a broader understanding of human development, emphasizing the need for spiritual growth and moral guidance from an early age.
Conclusion:The biblical perspective on childhood is rich with insights into the nature of children and the responsibilities of parents and communities. Through various passages, the Bible underscores the importance of nurturing, teaching, and protecting children, recognizing them as integral members of God’s creation and His plan for humanity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The state of being a child; the time in which persons are children; the condition or time from infancy to puberty.
2. (n.) Children, taken collectively.
3. (n.) The commencement; the first period.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHILDHOOD, GOSPELS OF THEchild'-hood.
SeeAPOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
GOSPELS OF THE CHILDHOOD
child'-hood.
SeeAPOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
Greek
3812. paidiothen -- fromchildhood... from
childhood. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: paidiothen Phonetic Spelling:
(pahee-dee-oth'-en) Short Definition: from
childhood Definition: from
...1025. brephos -- an unborn or a newborn child
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition an unborn or a newborn child NASB Word
Usage babies (2), baby (4),childhood (1), infants (1)....
Strong's Hebrew
3208. yalduth --childhood, youth... 3207, 3208. yalduth. 3209 .
childhood, youth. Transliteration: yalduth
Phonetic Spelling: (yal-dooth') Short Definition:
childhood.
...5271. naur -- youth, early life
... Definition: youth. Word Origin from the same as naar Definition youth, early
life NASB Word Usage youth (47).childhood, youth. Or naur...
5290. noar -- youth, early life
... youth. Word Origin from the same as naar Definition youth, early life NASB
Word Usagechildhood (1), youth (3). child, youth. From...
Library
Childhood
...Childhood. GTB Mark 10:13, 16.... Filled with the Spirit of His Son,. Inchildhood
of the life divine,. Untroubled trust and gladness mine....
HisChildhood and Youth.
... THE PERSON OF CHRIST. HISCHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. CHRIST passed... ever. Let us first
glance at the INFANCY andCHILDHOOD of our Saviour. The...
CiiiChildhood
... Book First CIIICHILDHOOD. I cannot reach it; and my striving eye... [105] Apparently,
O that I knew how to carrychildhood through later life....
Incidents ofChildhood
... Chapter III Incidents ofChildhood. The old... it.". From my earliestchildhood
I liked poetry and could readily commit it to memory. I...
Christianity Requires the Temper ofChildhood.
... SERMONS. CHRISTIANITY REQUIRES THE TEMPER OFCHILDHOOD. MARK... it. Butchildhood
and youth seem to have had a special attraction for Him....
The First Part Days ofChildhood
... SAINT AUGUSTIN THE FIRST PART DAYS OFCHILDHOOD. Sed delectabat
ludere. "Only, I liked to play." Confessions, I, 9....
The Training of Origen fromChildhood.
... Book VI. Chapter II."The Training of Origen fromChildhood. 1. Many things
might be said in attempting to describe the life of...
Kingo'sChildhood and Youth
... Thomas Kingo, the Easter Poet of Denmark Chapter Three Kingo'sChildhood and
Youth. Thomas Kingo, the first of the great Danish hymnwriters...
Childhood and Early Impressions. The Blessing of Pious Parents....
... Chapter I.Childhood and Early Impressions. The Blessing of Pious Parents.
Desire of Martyrdom. Death of the Saint's Mother. 1. I...
InChildhood, when with Eager Eyes
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCLIII Inchildhood, when with eager eyes.
The season-measured year I view'd, All, garb'd in fairy guise,....
Thesaurus
Childhood (10 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CHILDHOOD, GOSPELS OF THE. child'-hood. See
APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS. GOSPELS OF THE
CHILDHOOD. child'-hood. See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
...Youth (169 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The part of life that succeeds tochildhood; the period of existence preceding
maturity or age; the whole early part of life, fromchildhood, or...
Eunice (1 Occurrence)
... Happily conquering, the mother of Timothy, a believing Jewess, but married to a
Greek (Acts 16:1). She trained her son from hischildhood in the knowledge of...
Hair (135 Occurrences)
... that the dwellers on the Nile had their heads shaved in early youth, leaving but
a side lock until maturity was attained, when this mark ofchildhood was taken...
Questioned (57 Occurrences)
... YLT). Mark 9:21 And he questioned his father, 'How long time is it since
this came to him?' and he said, 'Fromchildhood, (YLT). Mark...
Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)
... (4) According to the Gospel of theChildhood, by Thomas, Zaccheus was also the name
of the teacher of the boy Jesus. CM Kerr. Multi-Version Concordance...
Longevity
... attributes to the first 10 kings of Babylonia a span of 430,000 years, and Hesiod
(Works and Days, 129) says that in the Silver Agechildhood lasted 100 years...
Lame (35 Occurrences)
... (2) Those who suffered from lameness, such as Mephibosheth, whose limbs were injured
by a fall inchildhood (2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 9:3). In the prophetic...
Godhead (5 Occurrences)
... As manhood is that which makes a man a man, andchildhood that which makes
a child a child, so Godhead is that which makes God, God....
Greece (15 Occurrences)
... birth full-armed from the brain of Zeus, of Circe's magic potion, of Poseidon's
chariot on the waves, and of Apollo's shafts are familiar to us fromchildhood....
Resources
What happened during Jesus' childhood? | GotQuestions.orgI am a victim of abuse. Why do I feel guilty? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Infancy Gospel of Thomas? | GotQuestions.orgChildhood: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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