Topical Bible: Children: Weaning of

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The weaning of children in biblical times was a significant milestone in a child's early life, marking the transition from infancy to a more independent stage of childhood. This event is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, reflecting its cultural and spiritual importance.

In the ancient Near Eastern context, weaning typically occurred at a later age than is common in many modern societies, often around three years old. This period allowed the child to develop a stronger immune system and increased chances of survival, which was crucial in a time when infant mortality rates were high.

One of the most notable biblical references to weaning is found in the account of Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. Genesis 21:8 states, "So the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned." This celebration underscores the significance of weaning as a joyous occasion, marking the child's growth and the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah.

Another important reference is found in the account of Samuel. In 1 Samuel 1:22-24 , Hannah, Samuel's mother, dedicates him to the Lord after he is weaned: "But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, 'After the boy is weaned, I will take him to appear before the LORD and stay there permanently.' Her husband Elkanah replied, 'Do what you think is best, and stay here until you have weaned him. Only may the LORD confirm His word.' So Hannah stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him. When she had weaned him, she took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh, though the boy was still young." This passage highlights the spiritual dedication associated with weaning, as Hannah fulfills her vow to God by bringing Samuel to serve in the temple.

The weaning process is also metaphorically used in Scripture to describe spiritual maturity and growth. In Isaiah 28:9 , the prophet asks, "Whom will He teach knowledge? To whom will He explain the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just taken from the breast?" This rhetorical question emphasizes the need for spiritual maturity beyond the basic teachings, akin to a child moving beyond milk to solid food.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of weaning to describe spiritual growth in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 : "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready." Here, Paul encourages believers to mature in their faith, moving beyond the elementary teachings to deeper understanding and practice.

The weaning of children in biblical times was not only a practical necessity but also carried deep spiritual symbolism. It marked a child's growth and readiness for new stages of life, both physically and spiritually, and was often accompanied by celebrations and dedications to God.

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Genesis 21:8
And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
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1 Samuel 1:22
But Hannah went not up; for she said to her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.
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1 Kings 11:20
And the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh.
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Psalm 131:2
Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
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Isaiah 28:9
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
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Library

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... of strangers""marking them, so to speak, as not only the children of strangers ... As
we know, the period of weaning among the Hebrews was generally at the end of ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

Heaven's Nurse Children
... various ways in which we can illustrate the truth"how he treated them as children
even in ... which had been so dear to us; but we were very long in the weaning. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/heavens nurse children.htm

Home as a Nursery.
... may be said of boarding schools, to which many parents send their children to rid ...
This second weaning, needless as it is, How does it lacerate both your heart ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter xiii home as a.htm

Colossians i. 21, 22
... And as children who are under weaning have all manner of things in little baskets,
so also did He give them everything, and dainties in abundance. ...
/.../homily iv colossians i 21.htm

Self-Denial.
... all the ties of blood and affection that bind us to wife and children, parents and ...
But when the Holy Spirit woos and constrains us, weaning us from sin, then ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvi self-denial.htm

Chapter xxi
... The weaning becomes the occasion for a "great feast." We are made to feel ... Besides,
a custom of the Orient needs to be remembered here: children were weaned as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

Prosperity under Persecution
... Had Moses gone to the children of Israel before the time of their bondage, and ... and
Pharaoh, though he knew it not, was God's instrument in weaning them from ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Paul.
... This, beloved, is the glorious liberty of the children of God ... wife and the free woman,
and when Ishmael's persecuting spirit broke forth at the weaning of Isaac ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter vii entire sanctification as.htm

The Christian view of Sorrow
... sympathizing women, "weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."
As though ... It thus reveals a weaning, subduing, elevating power, in sorrow ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/the christian view of sorrow.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... when she saw young Ishmael mocking at the festival of his weaning, she besought ... A
mother, with three children, was once riding in a sledge in a desolate region ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm