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.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.

CHILDHOOD, GOSPELS OF THE

child'-hood.

See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

GOSPELS OF THE CHILDHOOD

child'-hood.

See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

3812. paidiothen -- from childhood
... from childhood. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: paidiothen Phonetic Spelling:
(pahee-dee-oth'-en) Short Definition: from childhood Definition: from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3812.htm - 6k

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). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1025.htm - 6k

3208. yalduth -- childhood, youth
... 3207, 3208. yalduth. 3209 . childhood, youth. Transliteration: yalduth
Phonetic Spelling: (yal-dooth') Short Definition: childhood. ...
/hebrew/3208.htm - 6k

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 ...
/hebrew/5271.htm - 6k

5290. noar -- youth, early life
... youth. Word Origin from the same as naar Definition youth, early life NASB
Word Usage childhood (1), youth (3). child, youth. From ...
/hebrew/5290.htm - 6k

Childhood
... Childhood. GTB Mark 10:13, 16. ... Filled with the Spirit of His Son,. In childhood
of the life divine,. Untroubled trust and gladness mine. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/childhood.htm

His Childhood and Youth.
... THE PERSON OF CHRIST. HIS CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. CHRIST passed ... ever. Let us first
glance at the INFANCY and CHILDHOOD of our Saviour. The ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his childhood and youth.htm

Ciii Childhood
... Book First CIII CHILDHOOD. I cannot reach it; and my striving eye ... [105] Apparently,
O that I knew how to carry childhood through later life. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ciii childhood.htm

Incidents of Childhood
... Chapter III Incidents of Childhood. The old ... it.". From my earliest childhood
I liked poetry and could readily commit it to memory. I ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter iii incidents of childhood.htm

Christianity Requires the Temper of Childhood.
... SERMONS. CHRISTIANITY REQUIRES THE TEMPER OF CHILDHOOD. MARK ... it. But childhood
and youth seem to have had a special attraction for Him. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/christianity requires the temper of.htm

The First Part Days of Childhood
... SAINT AUGUSTIN THE FIRST PART DAYS OF CHILDHOOD. Sed delectabat
ludere. "Only, I liked to play." Confessions, I, 9. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/the first part days of.htm

The Training of Origen from Childhood.
... Book VI. Chapter II."The Training of Origen from Childhood. 1. Many things
might be said in attempting to describe the life of ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ii the training of origen.htm

Kingo's Childhood and Youth
... Thomas Kingo, the Easter Poet of Denmark Chapter Three Kingo's Childhood and
Youth. Thomas Kingo, the first of the great Danish hymnwriters ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter three kingos childhood and.htm

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 ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter i childhood and early.htm

In Childhood, when with Eager Eyes
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCLIII In childhood, when with eager eyes.
The season-measured year I view'd, All, garb'd in fairy guise,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cccliii in childhood when with.htm

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. ...
/c/childhood.htm - 10k

Youth (169 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The part of life that succeeds to childhood; the period of existence preceding
maturity or age; the whole early part of life, from childhood, or ...
/y/youth.htm - 37k

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 his childhood in the knowledge of ...
/e/eunice.htm - 10k

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 of childhood was taken ...
/h/hair.htm - 60k

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, 'From childhood, (YLT). Mark ...
/q/questioned.htm - 22k

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)
... (4) According to the Gospel of the Childhood, by Thomas, Zaccheus was also the name
of the teacher of the boy Jesus. CM Kerr. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/z/zacchaeus.htm - 10k

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 Age childhood lasted 100 years ...
/l/longevity.htm - 9k

Lame (35 Occurrences)
... (2) Those who suffered from lameness, such as Mephibosheth, whose limbs were injured
by a fall in childhood (2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 9:3). In the prophetic ...
/l/lame.htm - 21k

Godhead (5 Occurrences)
... As manhood is that which makes a man a man, and childhood that which makes
a child a child, so Godhead is that which makes God, God. ...
/g/godhead.htm - 22k

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 from childhood. ...
/g/greece.htm - 59k

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