Topical Bible: Children: Female: Taken Care of by Nurses

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In the biblical narrative, the care of female children by nurses is a theme that appears in several instances, reflecting the cultural and familial practices of ancient times. Nurses, often women of experience and trust, played a significant role in the upbringing and nurturing of children, particularly in prominent families.

Rebekah and Deborah
One of the earliest mentions of a nurse in the Bible is associated with Rebekah, the wife of Isaac. In Genesis 24:59, when Rebekah leaves her family to marry Isaac, her nurse accompanies her: "So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men." This nurse, later identified as Deborah in Genesis 35:8, is a significant figure in Rebekah's life, indicating the close bond and trust placed in her. Deborah's death is noted with respect, as she is buried under an oak below Bethel, which is named Allon Bacuth, meaning "Oak of Weeping."

Moses and Jochebed
While not directly a nurse, Jochebed, the mother of Moses, takes on a nursing role under unique circumstances. In Exodus 2:7-9, after Pharaoh's daughter discovers the infant Moses in the Nile, his sister Miriam suggests, "Shall I go and call one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?" Pharaoh's daughter agrees, and Jochebed is brought to nurse her own son. This arrangement highlights the providential care and protection over Moses, facilitated through the role of a nurse.

Mephibosheth and His Nurse
In 2 Samuel 4:4, the narrative of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, provides another example of a nurse's role. After the death of Saul and Jonathan, Mephibosheth's nurse attempts to flee with him to safety. "When the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, his nurse picked him up and fled. But as she hurried to leave, he fell and became lame." This incident underscores the nurse's responsibility and the urgency with which she acted to protect the child, despite the unfortunate accident that left Mephibosheth disabled.

Cultural Context and Significance
In ancient Israelite society, nurses were often entrusted with the care of children from birth, especially in families of status or wealth. They were responsible not only for the physical well-being of the child but also for their early education and moral upbringing. The presence of a nurse in a child's life was a sign of the family's resources and the value placed on the child's future.

The role of nurses in the biblical accounts reflects the broader cultural practices of the ancient Near East, where wet nurses and caretakers were common in royal and noble households. These women were often considered part of the family, forming lasting bonds with the children they raised.

Spiritual Implications
From a spiritual perspective, the care provided by nurses in the Bible can be seen as a reflection of God's nurturing and protective nature. Just as these women were entrusted with the physical and emotional care of children, so too does God care for His people, providing guidance, protection, and sustenance throughout their lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 35:8
But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Name Children Does not Imply Instruction in Elementary ...
... bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye ... to me that the expression
is to be taken in a ... blood, and nothing is wanting for the children's growth. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi the name children does.htm

The Way of Transgressors.
... nurse; and then, with your husband and some female friend, upon ... The advice of the
physician was taken, and the young mother ... "Bring me my children," the dying ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/the way of transgressors.htm

The First Native Converts and Christian Schools
... knives and forks, glasses, etc., having been taken from our ... who first landed here,
or of the children of those Portuguese by their female slaves; and ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter vi the first native.htm

Letter cxvii. To a Mother and Daughter Living in Gaul.
... I have no doubt that it is some female cousin or connexion who ... I, who as I said in
the beginning have taken up my ... You are old enough to have grand-children. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxvii to a mother.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... which, with the present style of female attire, really ... and asserted that no dancing
had taken place, but ... much to the increase of their children's attachment to ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

1 Cor. Iv. 6
... Why, hath any judgment taken place ... But if you say, "Female servants do these things;"
neither so do I ... having made sport of them as if they were silly children. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xii 1 cor iv.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... and services, such as male or female slaves, bracelets ... by Faucher-Gudin, from a
photograph taken by Insinger. ... who preside over the birth of children conduct the ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Jer. 6:16 the Good Way.
... possess some thing which can never be taken from him. ... in prison; like Job, bereaved
of children and property ... consists of a female figure reclining her head on a ...
/.../ryle/the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter v jer 6 16 the.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ...
... progress in learning, and were now taken back by ... and blacksmith, with their wives
and children, a carpenter, a single man, and three female teachers, in all ...
/.../chapter 12 from the close.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... it and not amulets the true protection of children, [425]71 ... of God and ourselves
not to be taken in the ... its effects described, especially on the female sex, [719 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm