The term "male-child" in the Bible often signifies not only the biological aspect of being male but also carries cultural, religious, and theological implications. In the ancient Near Eastern context, male children were often seen as bearers of the family name and lineage, inheritors of property, and key participants in religious and societal duties.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the birth of a male child was often considered a blessing and a sign of divine favor. For instance, in Genesis 4:1, Eve expresses joy at the birth of Cain, her firstborn son, saying, "With the help of the LORD, I have brought forth a man." The birth of male children was crucial for the continuation of family lines, as seen in the genealogies throughout Genesis and Chronicles.

The Law of Moses also placed specific requirements on male children. According to Leviticus 12:2-3, a male child was to be circumcised on the eighth day after birth, marking him as part of the covenant community of Israel. This rite of circumcision was a physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:10-14).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the birth of male children continues to hold significant theological importance. The most notable instance is the birth of Jesus Christ, often referred to as the "male child" in prophetic literature. In Revelation 12:5, the male child is depicted as one "who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter," a clear reference to the Messianic prophecy and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus.

The birth of John the Baptist, another significant male child, is recorded in Luke 1. His birth was announced by the angel Gabriel and was met with great joy and prophetic significance, as he was to prepare the way for the Lord (Luke 1:13-17).

Cultural and Theological Significance

The birth of a male child in biblical times was often associated with the hope of deliverance and the continuation of God's promises. In the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, male children were expected to carry on the family name and faith. This cultural expectation is evident in the account of Hannah, who prayed earnestly for a son and dedicated him to the Lord's service (1 Samuel 1:11, 20).

Theologically, the concept of the male child is intertwined with the idea of the "seed" or "offspring" that would ultimately lead to the Messiah. This is first seen in the protoevangelium of Genesis 3:15, where God promises that the seed of the woman will crush the serpent's head, a prophecy fulfilled in Christ.

Symbolism and Prophecy

In prophetic literature, the male child often symbolizes hope, deliverance, and the fulfillment of God's promises. The imagery in Revelation 12, where the male child is caught up to God and His throne, represents the victory of Christ over evil and His ultimate reign.

The male child motif also underscores the continuity of God's covenantal promises through generations, highlighting the importance of faithfulness and obedience in the transmission of God's blessings and purposes.

In summary, the concept of the male child in the Bible is rich with cultural, religious, and theological significance, pointing ultimately to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, the ultimate "male child" who brings salvation to the world.3816. pais -- a child, boy, youth
... Noun, Feminine; Noun, Masculine Transliteration: pais Phonetic Spelling: (paheece)
Short Definition: a boy or girl child Definition: (a) a male child, boy, (b ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3816.htm - 7k

The Woman with the Male Child in the Wilderness the Church; the ...
... Chapter XI."The Woman with the Male Child in the Wilderness the Church; The Wilderness
Belongs to Virgins and Saints; The Perfection of Numbers and Mysteries ...
/.../chapter xi the woman with the.htm

The Mystery
... event. "And when the dragon saw that he was cast down to the earth, he
persecuted the woman who brought forth the male child. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

The Meaning
... v.7, "Before she travailed she brought forth; before her pain came she was delivered
of a male child." The Chaldee has this paraphrase: "Before tribulation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the meaning 3.htm

The Age, Birth, and Life of Moses.
... He raised. Then to the Hebrew race proclaimed,. That each male child should in
deep-flowing Nile. Be drowned. My mother bore and hid me then. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxiii the age birth and.htm

The Original Deities were Human --With Some Very Questionable ...
... But he savours of brackishness, and she has been accustomed to fresh water.
[990] And so Saturn is the sole male child of Coelus and Terra. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xii name original deities.htm

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
... For this reason all the firstborn of Israel were regarded as being peculiarly the
Lord's (Exodus 12:29, 30; xiii.2); and the firstborn male child of each ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xii circumcision temple service and.htm

The Finding of Moses.
... Pharoah, becoming alarmed at the increasing power and numbers of the Israelites
in Egypt, ordered that every male child who might be born to them should be ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the finding of moses.htm

Concerning the Afflictions that Befell the Hebrews in Egypt ...
... Which thing was so feared by the king, that, according to this man's opinion, he
commanded that they should cast every male child, which was born to the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the afflictions.htm

Whether it was Fitting that the Mother of God Should Go to the ...
... is forbidden "to enter into the sanctuary until the days of her purification be
fulfilled." But the Blessed Virgin brought forth a male child without receiving ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was fitting that 6.htm

The Testament of Joseph Concerning Sobriety.
... very unceasingly did she trouble me, and at night she came to me under the pretence
of visiting me; and at first, because she had no male child, she feigned to ...
/.../xi the testament of joseph concerning.htm

Male-child (5 Occurrences)
Male-child. Male, Male-child. Male-children . Multi-Version
Concordance Male-child (5 Occurrences). Revelation 12:13 ...
/m/male-child.htm - 8k

Mother's (102 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Luke 2:23 (As it says in the law of the Lord,
Every mother's first malechild is to be holy to the Lord), (BBE). ...
/m/mother's.htm - 39k

Births (34 Occurrences)
... Exodus 11:5 And death will come to every mother's first malechild in all the land
of Egypt, from the child of Pharaoh on his seat of power, to the child of ...
/b/births.htm - 17k

Son (25967 Occurrences)
... He was perfect man. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A malechild; the
male issue, or offspring, of a parent, father or mother. ...
/s/son.htm - 48k

Male (303 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Revelation 12:5 She gave birth to
a son, a malechild, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. ...
/m/male.htm - 43k

Seat (256 Occurrences)
... Revelation 12:5 And she gave birth to a son, a malechild, who was to have rule
over all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was taken up to God and ...
/s/seat.htm - 41k

Relations (92 Occurrences)
... Peor. (BBE). Numbers 31:17 So now put every malechild to death, and every
woman who has had sex relations with a man. (BBE). Numbers ...
/r/relations.htm - 32k

Unwell (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 12:2 Say to the children of Israel, If a woman is with child and gives
birth to a malechild, she will be unclean for seven days, as when she is ...
/u/unwell.htm - 7k

Forced (84 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Revelation 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was forced down to the earth,
he made cruel attacks on the woman who gave birth to the malechild. (BBE) ...
/f/forced.htm - 33k

First-fruit (19 Occurrences)
... Exodus 13:12 You are to put on one side for the Lord every mother's first malechild,
the first-fruit of her body, and the first young one of every beast ...
/f/first-fruit.htm - 12k

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