The term "men-children" is a phrase used in the Bible to refer to male offspring or sons. This term is often found in older translations of the Bible and is used to denote the male children of a family, emphasizing their role and significance within the biblical narrative and cultural context.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 34:29 : "They carried off all their wealth and all their women and children, and they took as plunder everything in the houses." In this context, the term "children" includes "men-children," highlighting the complete capture of a community's future generation, both male and female.

2. Exodus 1:16 : "When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them as they deliver. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live." Here, the directive from Pharaoh to kill the male children underscores the threat perceived from the potential future strength and leadership of the Hebrew men-children.

3. Numbers 31:17 : "Now therefore, kill all the boys, and kill every woman who has had relations with a man." This passage reflects the harsh realities of ancient warfare and the perceived necessity to eliminate future male adversaries, the "men-children," to prevent future retaliation.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, male children were often seen as the carriers of the family lineage and inheritors of property and status. They were expected to continue the family name and provide for their parents in old age. The birth of a male child was frequently a cause for celebration, as it ensured the continuation of the family line and the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Theologically, men-children in the Bible are often associated with the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. For instance, the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah was a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, as it marked the continuation of God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 21:1-3). Similarly, the birth of male children in the line of David was crucial for the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies, ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus Christ.

Role in Society:

In biblical times, men-children were expected to grow into roles of leadership and responsibility within their families and communities. They were often trained in the skills necessary for survival and governance, such as agriculture, trade, and warfare. The education and upbringing of male children were of paramount importance, as they were seen as future leaders and protectors of their people.

The emphasis on male offspring in the Bible reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where inheritance and family leadership were typically passed through the male line. This cultural norm is evident in the genealogies and narratives throughout the Old Testament, where the focus is often on the male descendants.

Spiritual Implications:

From a spiritual perspective, the concept of men-children can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual growth and maturity. Just as physical children grow into adulthood, believers are called to grow in their faith and understanding, becoming mature in their relationship with God. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often uses the imagery of growth and maturity to describe the spiritual journey of believers (Ephesians 4:13-15).

In summary, the term "men-children" in the Bible carries significant cultural, theological, and spiritual implications, reflecting the importance of male offspring in the continuation of family lines, the fulfillment of divine promises, and the growth of individuals in their faith journey.2138. zakur -- a male
... males, men-children. Properly, passive participle of zakar, but used for zakar;
a male (of man or animals) -- males, men-children. see HEBREW zakar. ...
/hebrew/2138.htm - 6k

Mingled in Growth, Separated in Maturity
... As the one, by depositing holy truth in the heart, makes men 'children of the kingdom,'
the other, by putting evil principles therein, makes men 'children of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/mingled in growth separated in.htm

The Marcionites Charged God with Having Instigated the Hebrews to ...
... It was plainly less than their due which He commanded to be exacted. The Egyptians
ought to have given back their men-children [2958] also to the Hebrews. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xx the marcionites charged god.htm

Of Sin by Imputation and Propagation.
... You see among men, children have one common lot with their parents. If the father
be forfeited, the heirs suffer in it, and are cast out of the inheritance. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxiv of sin by.htm

The Yoke of Jesus.
... the pure child only. All the discipline of the world is to make men children,
that God may be revealed to them. No man, when first ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the yoke of jesus.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... There came in two men, children of Belial, and witnessed against Naboth, saying,
Naboth did blaspheme God and the king:' and their witness took away his life.1 ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

On the Feast of the Epiphany, iii.
... For reckoning up the time which the wise men had indicated, he poured out his cruel
rage on all the men-children of Bethlehem, and in a general massacre of the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxxiii on the feast.htm

1 Timothy vi. 7-Feb
... laid waste the world. Kings, magistrates, private persons, the poor, women,
men, children, are all alike affected by it. As if a ...
/.../homily xvii 1 timothy vi.htm

On the Baptism of Christ.
... was a goodly child, and yet at the breast, falling under the general and cruel decree
which the hard-hearted Pharaoh made against the men-children, was exposed ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the baptism of christ.htm

Introductory Chapter
... as material, that there was to be a spiritual seed as well as literal seed, and
that "faith" is as potent as natural birth in making men children of Abraham. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/introductory chapter.htm

Royal Murderers
... And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of
Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/royal murderers.htm

Men-children (2 Occurrences)
Men-children. Menan, Men-children. Mend . Multi-Version Concordance
Men-children (2 Occurrences). Exodus 1:17 But the ...
/m/men-children.htm - 6k

Mend (7 Occurrences)

/m/mend.htm - 9k

Witnessed (21 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 21:13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him:
and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the ...
/w/witnessed.htm - 12k

Thrice (17 Occurrences)
... me. (DBY). Exodus 34:23 Thrice in the year shall all your menchildren appear
before the LORD God, the God of Israel. (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/t/thrice.htm - 11k

Menan (1 Occurrence)

/m/menan.htm - 6k

Blaspheme (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 21:13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him:
and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the ...
/b/blaspheme.htm - 11k

Belial (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 21:13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him:
and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the ...
/b/belial.htm - 16k

Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)
... version of the Exodus, the disasters which befell the Egyptians being naturally
passed over in silence, and only the destruction of the `menchildren' of the ...
/p/pharaoh.htm - 60k

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