Topical Bible: Children: Jewish Children

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In the biblical context, children hold a significant place within Jewish society and religious life. The Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament, provide numerous insights into the roles, responsibilities, and spiritual significance of children in ancient Israel.

Birth and Naming:
The birth of a child was considered a blessing from God, and children were seen as a heritage from the Lord. Psalm 127:3 states, "Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward." The naming of a child was an important event, often reflecting circumstances of birth or prophetic significance. For example, Isaac, whose name means "laughter," was named so because Sarah laughed upon hearing she would bear a child in her old age (Genesis 21:6).

Education and Instruction:
Jewish children were instructed in the ways of the Lord from an early age. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 emphasizes the importance of teaching children: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage underscores the responsibility of parents to instill a deep understanding of God's commandments and to integrate faith into daily life.

Rites of Passage:
While the Bible does not explicitly mention the modern Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah, Jewish tradition holds that children reach a level of religious maturity at the age of 12 for girls and 13 for boys. This transition into adulthood is marked by increased responsibility for observing the commandments.

Discipline and Guidance:
Discipline was considered an essential aspect of raising 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 proverb highlights the long-term impact of early guidance and the importance of setting a moral and spiritual foundation.

Role in Society:
Children were integral to the family unit and the broader community. They were expected to honor their parents, as commanded in Exodus 20:12 : "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." This commandment underscores the reciprocal relationship between parents and children, rooted in respect and obedience.

Protection and Care:
The Scriptures also emphasize the protection and care of children, particularly orphans and those in vulnerable situations. Psalm 82:3 calls for justice: "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed." This reflects the broader biblical mandate to care for those who cannot care for themselves.

Spiritual Significance:
Children are often used metaphorically in Scripture to illustrate purity, humility, and the kingdom of God. Jesus Himself highlighted the importance of childlike faith in Matthew 18:3 : "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This teaching underscores the value of innocence and trust in one's relationship with God.

In summary, Jewish children in the biblical era were cherished as gifts from God, educated in the faith, and prepared for their roles in society. They were seen as both a blessing and a responsibility, with their upbringing deeply intertwined with spiritual and communal life.

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2 Chronicles 20:13
And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
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Nehemiah 8:3
And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
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Library

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... Chapter 7 The Upbringing of Jewish Children. The tenderness of the bond
which united Jewish parents to their children appears even ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

Children and Little Dogs
... assurance that the meal-time for the dogs would come when the children had done ...
objections to the 'committing' of the 'oracles of God' to the Jewish race; that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/children and little dogs.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 10, "The World was Made ...
... who worship stones? If the Jewish children shall hold their peace, the
elder and the younger Gentiles shall cry out. Who are the ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxi on the words.htm

Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
... it was probably even larger in Christ's time] thereof, from two years old and under
[According to Jewish reckoning this would mean all children from birth up ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xiv flight into egypt and.htm

Appendix xviii. Haggadah About Simeon Kepha (Legend of Simon Peter ...
... as the oldest; but we infer from its plea against the abduction of Jewish children
by Christians and against forced baptisms, as well as from the use of ...
/.../appendix xviii haggadah about simeon.htm

The Jewish Girl
... There was in the charity-school among the other children a little Jewish girl, so
clever and good; the best, in fact, of them all; but one of the lessons she ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the jewish girl.htm

The Author's Life.
... The education of John was such as all respectable Jewish children were wont to receive
and we know that they were better educated than the children of any ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the authors life.htm

Christ and Little Children
... after having invoked His blood to be not on them only, but on their children. ... forgotten
that this very Perea was the haven of refuge for Jewish believers when ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 10 13-16 christ and little.htm

Children of the Old Testament
... ELIJAH AND THE WIDOW'S SON. THE SHUNAMMITE'S BOY. A LITTLE JEWISH MAID. [ Prev]
[Top] [Next ]. Children of the Old Testament Christian Bookshelf. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/children of the old testament/

The Second Day in Passion-Week - the Barren Fig-Tree - the ...
... We need not here recall the words of Christ; Jewish authorities sufficiently describe ...
rang through the courts and porches of the Temple, this Children's Hosanna ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the second day.htm