The term "sucks" in the context of the Bible typically refers to the act of nursing or drawing milk from the breast, a natural and essential process for the nourishment and growth of infants. This act is often used metaphorically in Scripture to convey spiritual truths and principles.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the imagery of nursing is frequently used to describe the care and provision of God for His people. For instance, in Isaiah 49:15, the prophet uses the metaphor of a nursing mother to illustrate God's unfailing compassion: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!" . This verse highlights the deep, nurturing love of God, likening it to the bond between a mother and her child.

Another significant reference is found in Deuteronomy 32:13, where the blessings of the Promised Land are described: "He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him with the produce of the fields. He nourished him with honey from the rock and oil from the flinty crag" . Here, the imagery of nourishment and sustenance is extended to the land itself, symbolizing God's provision and care.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of nursing is used to illustrate spiritual maturity and growth. In 1 Peter 2:2, believers are encouraged to "crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" . This metaphor emphasizes the importance of foundational teachings and the Word of God as essential nourishment for spiritual development.

Similarly, the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of nursing in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 to describe his gentle and caring approach to ministry: "Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children" . This comparison underscores the tender and nurturing nature of Paul's relationship with the Thessalonian church, reflecting the selfless love and dedication expected of spiritual leaders.

Theological Implications

The use of nursing imagery in the Bible serves to highlight several key theological themes. Firstly, it underscores the nurturing and sustaining nature of God's relationship with His people. Just as a mother provides for her child, God provides for the spiritual and physical needs of His children.

Secondly, the metaphor of nursing emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth and maturity. Believers are encouraged to seek the "pure spiritual milk" of God's Word, which is essential for developing a strong and mature faith. This imagery serves as a reminder of the need for continual growth and dependence on God for spiritual nourishment.

Lastly, the use of nursing as a metaphor for ministry highlights the pastoral care and compassion that should characterize the relationships within the Christian community. Spiritual leaders are called to emulate the selfless love and dedication of a nursing mother, providing guidance, support, and nourishment to those in their care.

In summary, the concept of "sucks" in the biblical context is rich with meaning, illustrating God's provision, the necessity of spiritual growth, and the compassionate nature of Christian ministry.3243. yanaq -- to suck
... 2), milking (1), nurse (11), nursed (3), nurses (1), nursing (1), nursing babes
(1), nursing infant (1), nursing infants* (1), nursling (1), suck (4), sucks (1 ...
/hebrew/3243.htm - 6k

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
... The signs of this thing are as follows: In the first night watch the ass brays,
in the second the dogs bark, in the third the suckling sucks his mother, and ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/appendix 2 extracts from the.htm

Joy
... As the bee lies at the breast of the flower, and sucks out its sweetness, so faith
lies at the breast of a promise, and sucks out the quintessence of joy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/8 joy.htm

V. ...
... is human doctrine, whereby the word of God is falsified; therefore the Holy Spirit
would have it so that every Christian shall see to it, what he sucks for milk ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v .htm

Faith
... wholly upon Christ. As the bee sucks sweetness from the flower, so faith
sucks all its strength and comfort from Christ. (3) Faith ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 1 faith.htm

So, when You Allege that the Ornaments of the Heathen Deities are ...
... dealings with it of any kind. Even an earthly serpent sucks in men at some
distance with its breath. Going still further, John says ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter x so when you.htm

Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
... Christian fighting with sin is not like one that beats the air' (1 Corinthians
9:26), and his hungering after righteousness is not like one that sucks in only ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/14 spiritual hunger shall be.htm

General Conclusion.
... All waves thereof whatsoever suffocate; every eddy thereof sucks down unto
Hades. Let no one say, "Who will so safely foreguard himself? ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xxiv general conclusion.htm

Appendix.
... [1106] "rattling their arms; sucks a she-goat's dugs; flays her; clothes himself
in her hide; and (thus) uses his own nurse's hide, after killing her, to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/appendix.htm

Little Foxes
... Sulkiness makes you frown and go away in a corner. It sucks up all the sunlight
there is, and makes the world very gray and dull, like a day in November. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/little foxes.htm

The Mango-Tree
... Each tender purple mango-shoot, That folds and droops so bashful down; It lives;
it sucks some hidden root; It rears at last a broad green crown. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the mango-tree.htm

Sucks (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sucks (1 Occurrence). Job 20:16 He shall suck the
poison of asps; the viper's tongue shall slay him. (See NAS). ...
/s/sucks.htm - 6k

Suck (22 Occurrences)
... of the mouth; as, to suck an orange; specifically, to draw milk from (the mother,
the breast, etc.) with the mouth; as, the young of an animal sucks the mother ...
/s/suck.htm - 14k

Sucklings (18 Occurrences)

/s/sucklings.htm - 11k

Sud

/s/sud.htm - 6k

Horsefly (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Any dipterous fly of the family Tabanidae,
that stings horses, and sucks their blood. 2. (n.) The ...
/h/horsefly.htm - 6k

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