Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the term "babe" is used to refer to infants or very young children. The word appears in various contexts, often symbolizing innocence, vulnerability, and the beginning stages of life. The concept of a babe is significant in both literal and metaphorical senses throughout Scripture.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "babe" is
yeled orolel, which generally refers to a young child or infant. For example, inExodus 2:6, when Pharaoh's daughter discovers Moses in the basket among the reeds, the text states, "When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying. So she had compassion on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrew children.'" Here, the vulnerability and innocence of the babe Moses evoke compassion and set the stage for his future role as a leader of Israel.
New Testament References
In the New Testament, the Greek wordbrephos is used to denote a babe or infant. One of the most significant references to a babe is found in the account of the birth of Jesus Christ. InLuke 2:12, the angel announces to the shepherds, "And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." The birth of Jesus as a babe in humble circumstances underscores the theme of God's power and presence manifesting in weakness and humility.
Another notable mention is in1 Peter 2:2, where believers are encouraged to "crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." Here, the metaphor of a babe is used to describe new believers who are in the early stages of their spiritual journey, emphasizing the need for growth and nourishment in faith.
Symbolism and Themes
The imagery of a babe in the Bible often symbolizes purity and the potential for growth. InMatthew 18:3, Jesus uses the example of a child to teach about the kingdom of heaven: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This passage highlights the qualities of humility, trust, and openness that are associated with children and are essential for entering God's kingdom.
Furthermore, the vulnerability of babes is a recurring theme that illustrates the need for protection and care. This is evident in the account of Moses, as well as in the account of Herod's massacre of the innocents inMatthew 2:16, where the fragility of young life is starkly portrayed.
Theological Implications
The concept of a babe in Scripture also carries theological implications regarding the incarnation of Christ. The fact that the Savior of the world entered human history as a helpless infant speaks to the mystery of the incarnation—God becoming fully human while remaining fully divine. This profound truth is central to Christian theology and highlights the depth of God's love and humility.
In summary, the term "babe" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from the literal sense of an infant to the metaphorical representation of spiritual infancy and growth. It serves as a powerful symbol of innocence, dependence, and the transformative journey of faith.Easton's Bible Dictionary
Used of children generally (Matthew 11:25;21:16;Luke 10:21;Romans 2:20). It is used also of those who are weak in Christian faith and knowledge (1 Corinthians 3:1;Hebrews 5:13;1 Peter 2:2). In Isaiah 3:4 the word "babes" refers to a succession of weak and wicked princes who reigned over Judah from the death of Josiah downward to the destruction of Jerusalem.Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) An infant; a young child of either sex; a baby.2. (n.) A doll for children.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BABEbab:
(1) na`ar; pais of a male infant 3 months old (Exodus 2:6) translated elsewhere "boy" or "lad."
(2) `olel, ta`alulim, in the general sense of "child" (Psalm 8:2;Psalm 17:14Isaiah 3:4).
(3) brephos an unborn or newborn child (King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) ofLuke 1:41, 44;Luke 2:12, 161 Peter 2:2 and the Revised Version (British and American) ofLuke 18:15 [AV "infants"];Acts 7:19 [King James Version, "young children"] and2 Timothy 3:15 [King James Version, "child"]).
(4) nepios = (Latin infans) "a child that cannot speak." (King James and the Revised Version (British and American) ofMatthew 11:25;Matthew 21:16Luke 10:21Romans 2:201 Corinthians 3:1;Hebrews 5:13) the same word is translated "child," plural "children" (in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) of1 Corinthians 13:11Galatians 4:1, 3Ephesians 4:14) the verb nepiazete is translated in the King James Version "be ye children" and in the Revised Version (British and American) "be ye babes" (1 Corinthians 14:20). Nepios is used metaphorically of those who are like children, of simple and single minds, as opposed to the "wise and understanding" (Matthew 11:25 =Luke 10:21; compare1 Corinthians 14:20). "Babes in Christ" are men of little spiritual growth, carnal as opposed to spiritual (1 Corinthians 3:1; compareHebrews 5:13Ephesians 4:14). Nepios is also used of a child as a minor or infant in the eye of the law (Galatians 4:1, 3).
T. Rees
Greek
1025. brephos -- an unborn or a newborn child... unborn or a newborn child. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: brephos
Phonetic Spelling: (bref'-os) Short Definition: infant,
babe Definition: infant
...3515. nepiazo -- to be an infant
... be a child. From nepios; to act as ababe, ie (figuratively) innocently -- be a
child. see GREEK nepios. (nepiazete) -- 1 Occurrence. 3514, 3515....
3516. nepios -- an infant, fig. a simple-minded or immature person
... ne- (implying negation) and epos; not speaking, ie An infant (minor); figuratively,
a simple-minded person, an immature Christian --babe, child (+ -ish)....
Strong's Hebrew
5768. olel -- a child...babe, young child, infant, little one. Or lolal {o-lawl'}; from uwl; a suckling --
babe, (young) child, infant, little one. see HEBREW uwl. 5767b, 5768.
...8586. taalulim -- wantonness, caprice
...babe, delusion. From alal; caprice (as a fit coming on), ie Vexation; concretely
a tyrant --babe, delusion. see HEBREW alal. 8585b, 8586. taalulim. 8587 ....
5288. naar -- a boy, lad, youth, retainer
... 38), young people (1), youth (14), youths (2).babe, boy, child, damsel,
lad, servant, young man. From na'ar; (concretely) a boy (as...
5764. ul -- a sucking child, suckling
... child (1). sucking child, infant. From uwl; ababe -- sucking child, infant.
see HEBREW uwl. 5763, 5764. ul. 5765 . Strong's Numbers.
7728. shobeb -- turning back, apostate
... 7727, 7728. shobeb. 7729 . turning back, apostate. Transliteration: shobeb
Phonetic Spelling: (sho-babe') Short Definition: apostate....
7988. shilyah -- afterbirth
... young one. Feminine from shalah; a fetus orbabe (as extruded in birth) -- young
one. see HEBREW shalah. 7987, 7988. shilyah. 7989 . Strong's Numbers.
5759. avil -- a young boy
... young child, little one. From uwl; ababe -- young child, little one. see
HEBREW uwl. 5758, 5759. avil. 5760 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
The BurningBabe
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS THE BURNINGBABE. As I in hoary winter's
night stood shivering in the snow, Surprised I was...
TheBabe in the Bulrushes
TheBabe in the Bulrushes. <. TheBabe in the Bulrushes Amy Steedman.
Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Juliet Sutherland...
Sleep, HolyBabe
... No. 14 Sleep, HolyBabe. CHRISTMAS Sleep, HolyBabe (For additional Christmas
Hymns see Hymns Nos.126 [USD] 127 and Latin Hymns). Tr. Rev....
The BurningBabe
... Book First X THE BURNINGBABE. R. Southwell.... And lifting up a fearful eye to view
what fire was near,. A prettyBabe all burning bright, did in the air appear;...
The Story of Jesus, theBabe of Bethlehem
... THE STORY OF JESUS, THEBABE OF BETHLEHEM. Soon after the time when John the
Baptist was born, Joseph the carpenter of Nazareth had a dream....
TheBabe that I Carry Carries Me, Saith Mary, and He Has Lowered...
... Hymn XII. TheBabe that I carry carries me, saith Mary, and He has lowered His wings,
and taken and placed me between His pinions, and mounted into the air....
ABabe in Christ.
... ABABE IN CHRIST. JOHN SUDLOW was born of religious parents, in the county
of Middlesex, whose care was to instill spiritual principles...
TheBabe in the Bulrushes
TheBabe in the Bulrushes. <.... Title Page. THEBABE IN THE BULRUSHES. By AMY
STEEDMAN. [Illustration: The baby Moses in the bulrushes.]. [Illustration]....
What Covenant of God the New-BornBabe Breaks. What was the Value...
... Book II. Chapter 24 [XI.]"What Covenant of God the New-BornBabe Breaks.
What Was the Value of Circumcision. But let him inform...
A Lullaby
... Sweet baby, then forbear to weep; Be still, mybabe; sweet baby, sleep.... Sweet baby,
then forbear to weep; Be still, mybabe; sweet baby, sleep....
Thesaurus
Babe (15 Occurrences)... baby. 2. (n.) A doll for children. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BABE. bab
... Rees. Multi-Version Concordance
Babe (15 Occurrences). Matthew
...Useless (47 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was ababe, as ababe I was speaking, as ababe I was
thinking, as ababe I was reasoning, and when I have become a man, I have made...
Thinking (58 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was ababe, as ababe I was speaking, as ababe I was
thinking, as ababe I was reasoning, and when I have become a man, I have made...
Reasoning (37 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was ababe, as ababe I was speaking, as ababe I was
thinking, as ababe I was reasoning, and when I have become a man, I have made...
Leapt (2 Occurrences)
... Leapt (2 Occurrences). Luke 1:41 and as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
thebabe leapt within her. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, (WEY)...
Manger (7 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find thebabe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger....
Salutation (6 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary,
thebabe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost...
Within (400 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV). Luke 1:41 and as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, thebabe leapt
within her. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, (WEY)....
Homage (51 Occurrences)
... Matthew 2:11 So they entered the house; and when they saw thebabe with His mother
Mary, they prostrated themselves and did Him homage, and opening their...
Nativity (9 Occurrences)
... Christ. The simplest form is thebabe in a rude cradle, and the heads of
an ox and an ass to express the stable in which he was born....
Resources
Why wasn't Jesus named Immanuel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a jinx? What does it mean to be jinxed? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the key events in the life of Jesus Christ? (Part 1) | GotQuestions.orgBabe: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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