In biblical times, the term "nursling" refers to an infant or young child who is still being breastfed or cared for by a nurse. This concept is significant in the cultural and familial contexts of the Bible, where the nurturing and care of infants were seen as vital responsibilities, often carried out by mothers or designated caregivers.

Biblical References:

The Bible contains several references to nursing and nurslings, highlighting the importance of this early stage of life. In the Old Testament, the imagery of a nursling is often used to convey innocence, dependence, and the need for care. For example, in the book of Isaiah, the prophet uses the image of a nursing child to illustrate peace and safety: "The nursing child will play by the cobra’s den, and the weaned child will put his hand into the viper’s nest" (Isaiah 11:8). This passage reflects a future time of harmony and security under God's reign.

In the account of Moses, we see a practical example of nursing in Exodus 2:7-9. After Moses is found by Pharaoh's daughter, his sister suggests, "Shall I go and call one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?" Pharaoh's daughter agrees, and Moses' own mother is brought to nurse him. This account underscores the role of nursing in the survival and upbringing of children in ancient Israel.

Cultural Context:

In ancient Israelite society, nursing was a natural and expected part of child-rearing. Mothers typically nursed their children for several years, which was not only a means of providing nutrition but also a way to bond and ensure the child's health and survival. The role of a wet nurse, a woman who breastfed another's child, was also recognized, as seen in the account of Moses.

The act of nursing is sometimes used metaphorically in Scripture to describe God's care for His people. In Isaiah 49:15, God reassures Israel of His unfailing love and remembrance, saying, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!" . This powerful imagery emphasizes God's nurturing and compassionate nature.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the concept of a nursling can be seen as a symbol of spiritual infancy and growth. Just as a nursling depends entirely on its caregiver for sustenance and protection, believers are called to rely on God for spiritual nourishment and guidance. The Apostle Peter encourages new believers to "crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" (1 Peter 2:2). This metaphor highlights the importance of spiritual maturity and the need for continual growth in faith.

In summary, the image of a nursling in the Bible serves as a reminder of the care and provision that God offers to His people, as well as the natural process of growth and development in both physical and spiritual realms.(n.) One who, or that which, is nursed; an infant; a fondling.4939. suntrophos -- one brought up with, ie a foster brother or an ...
... brought up with. From sun and trophos (in a passive sense); a fellow-nursling,
ie Comrade -- brought up with. see GREEK sun. see GREEK trophos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4939.htm - 6k

2353. thremma -- cattle
... Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: thremma Phonetic Spelling:
(threm'-mah) Short Definition: cattle Definition: (lit: a nursling, hence probably ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2353.htm - 6k

3243. yanaq -- to suck
... 3), infants (2), milking (1), nurse (11), nursed (3), nurses (1), nursing (1), nursing
babes (1), nursing infant (1), nursing infants* (1), nursling (1), suck ...
/hebrew/3243.htm - 6k

Of the Fourth Seal.
... which is shown, that the beginning of the seal is to be deduced from an emperor
sprung from that quarter, namely, from Maximin the Thracian, a nursling of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the fourth seal.htm

Father Liber --Bacchus.
... Semele conceived him again of Jupiter, a second Maia, whose womb being divided,
he is taken away near to birth from his dead mother, and as a nursling is given ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/xii father liberbacchus.htm

The Testimony of the Church
... For Authority is derived from an Author: But the Church is not the Author, she is
only the nursling of this word, being posterior to it in cause, origin, and ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/8 the testimony of the.htm

To Andreas Bishop of Samosata.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, XXIV. To Andreas Bishop of Samosata. Your piety,
nursling of God's love, longs, I am sure, for my society. ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/xxiv to andreas bishop of.htm

Looking up to the Cross
... So Thy first greeting life imparts, Thy last shall cheer and heal.". Then,
maiden, trust thy nursling here! thou wilt not choose amiss. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cccxii looking up to the.htm

The Third Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary.
... The wolf devours my nursling, the home of paradise is desolate, the tree of life
is guarded by the flaming sword, the location of enjoyments is closed. ...
/.../the third homily on the.htm

On his Father'S Silence, Because of the Plague of Hail.
... of Moses, and said to him when interceding mentally, "Why criest thou unto Me?"
[3066] Comfort this people, I pray thee, I, who was thy nursling, and have ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xvi on his fathers.htm

Letter ccxliv. To Patrophilus, Bishop of ??g??.
... Diodorus, as a nursling of the blessed Silvanus, I did receive from the beginning:
I love him now and respect him on account of his grace of speech, whereby ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxliv to patrophilus bishop.htm

Obedience to the Moral Law.
... Should a mother, watching over her sleeping nursling, when all is quiet and secure,
put forth as powerful volitions, as might be required to snatch it from the ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xi obedience to the.htm

Book I to Pleasant Songs My Work was Erstwhile Given, and Bright ...
... banishment? Is it that you, as well as I, may be harried, the victim of false
charges?' Should I,' said she, desert you, my nursling? ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book i to pleasant songs.htm

Nursling (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who, or that which, is nursed; an infant;
a fondling. Multi-Version Concordance Nursling (3 Occurrences). ...
/n/nursling.htm - 7k

Nursing-mothers (1 Occurrence)
Nursing-mothers. Nursing-fathers, Nursing-mothers. Nursling . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (DBY). Nursing-fathers, Nursing-mothers. Nursling . Reference Bible
/n/nursing-mothers.htm - 6k

Nurture (1 Occurrence)

/n/nurture.htm - 7k

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