Topical Encyclopedia Child-bearing, also referred to as childbirth or parturition, is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting both the physical process of bringing forth children and the spiritual and covenantal implications associated with it. The Bible presents child-bearing as a blessing from God, a fulfillment of His command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28), and a means through which His promises and purposes are realized.Creation and the Fall The concept of child-bearing is introduced early in the biblical narrative. In Genesis 1:28, God blesses Adam and Eve, instructing them to "be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it." This command establishes procreation as a divine mandate, integral to humanity's role in creation. However, the Fall introduces pain and difficulty into the process. In Genesis 3:16, God tells Eve, "I will greatly increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children." This verse highlights the consequences of sin, affecting even the most fundamental aspects of human life. Patriarchal Promises Child-bearing is central to the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs. For instance, God's covenant with Abraham includes the promise of numerous descendants. In Genesis 15:5, God tells Abraham, "Look now toward the heavens and count the stars, if you are able to count them. Then He declared, 'So shall your offspring be.'" Despite Sarah's initial barrenness, God miraculously enables her to conceive Isaac, demonstrating His sovereignty over the womb (Genesis 21:1-2). Role of Women Throughout the Bible, women play a crucial role in the continuation of God's covenant through child-bearing. Notable examples include Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Hannah, each of whom experiences God's intervention in their ability to conceive. In 1 Samuel 1:20, Hannah, after fervent prayer, gives birth to Samuel, dedicating him to the Lord's service. These narratives underscore the belief that children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, child-bearing continues to hold significance, though it is often viewed through a spiritual lens. The birth of Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of salvation. In Luke 1:31, the angel Gabriel announces to Mary, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus." This miraculous birth signifies the inception of the new covenant. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, addresses the role of women and child-bearing within the Christian community. In 1 Timothy 2:15, he writes, "But women will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control." This verse has been interpreted in various ways, often understood as emphasizing the virtues of faith and godliness in the context of family life. Spiritual Implications Child-bearing in the Bible is not merely a biological process but is imbued with spiritual significance. It is a means through which God's promises are fulfilled and His purposes advanced. The narratives of miraculous births and the emphasis on lineage and heritage reflect the belief that God is actively involved in the continuation of His covenant people. In summary, child-bearing in the Bible is portrayed as a divine blessing, a fulfillment of God's command, and a crucial element in the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It is both a physical and spiritual act, deeply intertwined with the themes of promise, covenant, and salvation. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHILD-BEARINGchild'-bar-ing: Only in 1 Timothy 2:15: "She shall be saved through her (m "the") child-bearing" (dia tes teknogonias). The reference is to the calling of woman as wife and mother, as her ordinary lot in life, and to the anxieties, pains and perils of maternity, as the culmination and representation of the penalties woman has incurred because of the Fall (Genesis 3:16). "She shall be saved by keeping faithfully and simply to her allotted sphere as wife and mother" (Dummelow). The preposition dia is not used here instrumentally, as though child-bearing were a means of her salvation, but locally, as in 1 Corinthians 3:15, "saved so as through fire," where life is saved by rushing through the flames. The explanation by reference to the incarnation, with an appeal to Galatians 4:4, favored by Ellicott and others, seems very mechanical. Greek 5042. teknogonia -- childbearing ... Spelling: (tek-nog-on-ee'-ah) Short Definition: child bearing Definition: child bearing, the rearing of a family. 5042 -- properly, childbearing (used only in ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5042.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 802. ishshah -- woman, wife, female... Word Origin from an unused word Definition woman, wife, female NASB Word Usage adulteress* (2), any woman (1), childbearing* (1), each (3), each one (1), each ... /hebrew/802.htm - 6k 734. orach -- a way, path Library 1 Timothy ii. 15-Nov Letter Lxxxviii. To Paschasinus, Bishop of Lilyb??um. But Seeing that Paradise is the Home of Living Spirits... Whether the Particular Punishments of Our First Parents are ... On the Festival of the Nativity, viii. Chapter xxx Article xxiii (xi): of the Marriage of Priests. The General Purport of this Work the Heretics, Marcion, Apelles ... The Teaching of the Apostles in Opposition to Jewish and Gentile ... The Romans Provided Gods for Birth, Nay, Even Before Birth, to ... Thesaurus Childbearing (5 Occurrences)... The preposition dia is not used here instrumentally, as though child-bearing were a means of her salvation, but locally, as in 1 ...Childbearing (5 Occurrences). ... /c/childbearing.htm - 9k Child-bearing (1 Occurrence) Childbirth (24 Occurrences) Bearing (150 Occurrences) Notwithstanding (37 Occurrences) Going (2561 Occurrences) Eve (5 Occurrences) Discretion (20 Occurrences) Modesty (4 Occurrences) Preserved (27 Occurrences) Resources What is the birth order of Jacob's thirteen children? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about stepparenting / step-parenting? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that you will know them by their fruit in Matthew 7:16? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Child-bearing (1 Occurrence)1 Timothy 2:15 Subtopics Related Terms Child-conductor (2 Occurrences) |
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