Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, an orphan is typically understood as a child who has lost one or both parents. The plight of orphans is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, and God's concern for them is evident in both the Old and New Testaments. The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of caring for orphans, alongside widows and the poor, as a reflection of God's justice and compassion.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Hebrew word for orphan, "yathom," appears numerous times in the Old Testament. God's law, as given to Moses, includes specific instructions for the care and protection of orphans. In
Exodus 22:22-24 , God commands, "You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children fatherless."
The Psalms also reflect God's heart for orphans.
Psalm 68:5 describes God as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling." This imagery portrays God as a protector and provider for those who lack earthly guardians.
The prophetic books continue this theme.
Isaiah 1:17 exhorts the people of Israel to "learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." This call to action underscores the importance of social justice and care for the vulnerable in society.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the Greek word "orphanos" is used, which can mean both "orphan" and "comfortless." While direct references to orphans are less frequent, the principles of caring for the vulnerable are reinforced.
James 1:27 states, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." This verse highlights the practical outworking of faith through acts of compassion and service.
Jesus Himself demonstrated concern for children and the marginalized. In
Matthew 18:5 , He teaches, "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me." This statement reflects the value Jesus places on children and, by extension, those who are vulnerable and in need of care.
Theological ImplicationsThe biblical mandate to care for orphans is rooted in the character of God, who is described as just, merciful, and compassionate. The care for orphans is not merely a social obligation but a reflection of God's own nature and His kingdom values. Believers are called to emulate God's love and justice by actively engaging in the care and support of orphans.
Throughout church history, Christians have been at the forefront of establishing orphanages and adoption services, motivated by the biblical call to care for the fatherless. This legacy continues today as many Christian organizations and individuals work to provide for the needs of orphans around the world.
In summary, the Bible presents a consistent message regarding the care of orphans, emphasizing God's special concern for them and the responsibility of His people to act justly and compassionately on their behalf.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A child bereaved of both father and mother; sometimes, also, a child who has but one parent living.
2. (a.) Bereaved of parents, or (sometimes) of one parent.
3. (v. t.) To cause to become an orphan; to deprive of parents.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ORPHANor'-fan: This word occurs once only in the Old Testament (Lamentations 5:3, where it stands for yathom, elsewhere rendered "fatherless," and in the Septuagint always orphanos); in the Apocrypha it occurs 3 times (2 Esdras 2:20; Tobit 1:8; 2 Maccabees 8:28). There is no clear case where it means the loss of both parents. The Scriptures devote considerable attention to the widow and orphan, and the idea is that the child is fatherless. It is not found in the King James Version of the New Testament; but the Greek word orphanos occurs twice,John 14:18 (the King James Version "comfortless," the Revised Version (British and American) "desolate," margin "orphans") andJames 1:27 ("fatherless").
SeeFATHERLESS.
D. Miall Edwards
Greek
3737. orphanos -- anorphan... an
orphan. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: orphanos Phonetic Spelling:
(or-fan-os') Short Definition: bereaved, an
orphan Definition: bereaved, an
...642. aporphanizo -- to be bereaved
... 642 (from 575 , "separate from" and 3737 , "leave as anorphan") -- properly, to
orphan; (figuratively) , leaving someone defenseless -- like anorphan, bereft...
Strong's Hebrew
3490. yathom -- anorphan... 3489, 3490. yathom. 3491 . an
orphan. Transliteration: yathom Phonetic
Spelling: (yaw-thome') Short Definition:
orphan. Word Origin
...Library
The Believer not anOrphan. "I Will not Leave You Comfortless: I...
... THE BELIEVER NOT ANORPHAN. "I will not leave you comfortless: I will
come to you.""John xiv. 18. THE BELIEVER NOT ANORPHAN....
TheOrphan's Hymn.
... MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS. 972. " TheOrphan's Hymn. 972. CM Anonymous. TheOrphan's
Hymn. 1 Where shall the child of sorrow find A place for calm repose?...
Anniversary of anOrphan Asylum.
... PHILANTHROPIC SUBJECTS. 788. " Anniversary of anOrphan Asylum. 788. LM Mrs.
Nichols. Anniversary of anOrphan Asylum. 1 Our Father!...
HymnFor the BritishOrphan Asylum.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCCXLIV. Hymn for the BritishOrphan Asylum. 8.6.8.6 James
Montgomery. Hymn for the BritishOrphan Asylum. Thou Father of the fatherless,....
Spurgeon and the LittleOrphan.
... Spurgeon and the LittleOrphan. While we were in London, Mr. Spurgeon one
day took Mr. Sankey and myself to hisorphan asylum, and...
TheOrphan's Prayer.
... TheOrphan's Prayer. A little child whose father and mother had died, was
taken into another family. The first night she asked if...
The NewOrphan Houses, Ashley Down.
... CHAPTER II. THE NEWORPHAN HOUSES, ASHLEY DOWN. THE NEWORPHAN HOUSES, ASHLEY
DOWN. A complaint having been received from a gentleman...
Chapter I Beginning and Early Days of theOrphan Work.
... CHAPTER I BEGINNING AND EARLY DAYS OF THEORPHAN WORK. BEGINNING AND EARLY
DAYS OF THEORPHAN WORK. "That the trial of your faith...
Appendix C
... and helpful to see the way in which Mr. Mueller proved the acceptable will of the
Lord, when exercised in heart about the enlargement of theOrphan work, so...
Lives of Faith and Trust
... of unfaltering trust in the faithfulness of God in supplying human wants, than is
found in the life and labor of George Muller and hisOrphan Home, in Bristol...
Thesaurus
Orphan (25 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Bereaved of parents, or (sometimes) of one parent. 3. (vt) To cause to become
an
orphan; to deprive of parents. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ORPHAN...Orphan's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceOrphan's (1 Occurrence). Job 24:3 They drive away the
donkey of the fatherless, and they take the widow's ox for a pledge. (See NIV)....
Orphans (12 Occurrences)
Orpah (2 Occurrences)
Orthosia
Esther (48 Occurrences)
... es'-ter ('ecter, akin to the Zend tstara, the Sanskrit stri, the Greek aster, "a
star," Esther): Esther was a Jewishorphan, who became the queen of Xerxes, in...
Mordecai (52 Occurrences)
... He resided at Susa, the metropolis of Persia. He adopted his cousin Hadassah (Esther),
anorphan child, whom he tenderly brought up as his own daughter....
Asylum
... of some class of destitute, unfortunate, or afflicted persons; as, an asylum for
the aged, for the blind, or for the insane; a lunatic asylum; anorphan asylum...
Plundered (44 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 22:3 Thus said Jehovah: Do ye judgment and righteousness, And deliver the
plundered from the hand of the oppressor, And sojourner,orphan, and widow...
Resources
Who was Muhammad? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Billy Sunday? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God condone such terrible violence in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgOrphan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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