In biblical times, the process of weaning a child was a significant milestone in a child's early life, marking the transition from infancy to a more independent stage of childhood. The term "weaned" refers to the gradual process of introducing a child to solid food and reducing dependence on the mother's milk. This process is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, often carrying symbolic and cultural significance.

Old Testament References

One of the earliest mentions of weaning in the Bible 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 event was celebrated with a feast, indicating the importance of weaning as a rite of passage in ancient Hebrew culture. The celebration of Isaac's weaning underscores the joy and gratitude of parents for the child's growth and survival past the vulnerable early years.

In 1 Samuel 1:22-24 , the account of Hannah and her son Samuel provides another example: "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 him with her to Shiloh, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, though the boy was still young." Here, weaning is associated with a spiritual dedication, as Hannah fulfills her vow to dedicate Samuel to the Lord's service once he is weaned.

Symbolic and Spiritual Implications

The concept of weaning also carries symbolic meaning in the Scriptures. In Psalm 131:2 , David uses the imagery of a weaned child to describe a state of spiritual contentment and humility: "Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me." This verse suggests a mature faith that rests in God's provision and care, much like a weaned child who no longer frets for immediate sustenance but trusts in the presence and provision of the mother.

Isaiah 28:9 uses the imagery of weaning to convey the idea of spiritual maturity and readiness to receive deeper teachings: "Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To children weaned from milk, to those just taken from the breast?" This passage implies that just as a child must be weaned to grow and mature physically, believers must move beyond elementary teachings to grasp more profound spiritual truths.

Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, the weaning process typically occurred when a child was around two to three years old, although this could vary. The completion of weaning was often marked by a celebration, as it signified the child's increased chances of survival and the mother's ability to bear more children. This cultural practice is reflected in the biblical narratives, where weaning is not only a physical transition but also a moment of social and familial significance.

Overall, the concept of weaning in the Bible is rich with cultural, spiritual, and symbolic meanings, illustrating the growth and maturation process both physically and spiritually.(imp. & p. p.) of Wean.1577. Gamul -- "weaned," a Levite
... 1576, 1577. Gamul. 1578 . "weaned," a Levite. Transliteration: Gamul
Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-mool') Short Definition: Gamul. Word ...
/hebrew/1577.htm - 6k

1580. gamal -- to deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean ...
... to deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen. Transliteration: gamal
Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-mal') Short Definition: weaned. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1580.htm - 6k

1014. Beth Gamul -- "place of recompense," a place in Moab
... Beth- gamul. From bayith and the passive participle of gmuwl; house of (the) weaned;
Beth-Gamul, a place East of the Jordan -- Beth- gamul. see HEBREW bayith. ...
/hebrew/1014.htm - 6k

6267. attiq -- removed, old
... ancient, drawn. From athaq; removed, ie Weaned; also antique -- ancient, drawn.
see HEBREW athaq. 6266, 6267. attiq. 6268 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6267.htm - 6k

Psalm CXXX. (CXXXI. ).
... 5. Then he goes on: Like a weaned child upon his mother's breast, so wilt
thou reward my soul. We are told that when Isaac was weaned ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/psalm cxxx cxxxi.htm

The Simpler Interpretation of the Promise About not Tasting of ...
... But he who has been weaned, like Isaac, [5757] worthy of the good cheer and reception
which Abraham gave at the weaning of his son, would seek here and in ...
/.../31 the simpler interpretation of.htm

Samuel the Boy Prophet
... all his household again went to offer the yearly sacrifice to Jehovah, but Hannah
did not go up, for she said to her husband, "When the child is weaned, then I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/samuel the boy prophet.htm

Whether those who are not Practiced in Keeping the Commandments ...
... Objection 4: Further, a gloss on Ps.130:2, "As a child that is weaned is towards
his mother," says: "First we are conceived in the womb of Mother Church, by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether those who are not.htm

Psalm CXXXI.
... bread. But when thou hast begun to eat bread, thou wilt be weaned, that is,
thou wilt no longer have need of milk, but of solid food. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxi.htm

The Duty of Self-Denial.
... The Duty of Self-Denial. "Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that
is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.""Psalm 131:2. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon vii the duty of.htm

Chapter xxi
... 264 c). 8. And the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham prepared a great
feast on the day when Isaac was weaned. At least something ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

The Silence of Faith.
... for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned
of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxv the silence of.htm

The History of Saul
... She said to her husband that she would not go till her child were weaned
and taken from the pap. And after when Samuel was weaned ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

August 5 Evening
... is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."Not as I will, but as thou
wilt."Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/august 5 evening.htm

Weaned (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Weaned (9 Occurrences). Genesis 21:8 The child grew, and
was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. ...
/w/weaned.htm - 9k

Wean
... Samuel 1:23; Cant. 8:1) were not generally weaned till they were three or four
years old. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (v.) To gradually ...
/w/wean.htm - 8k

Elkanah (20 Occurrences)
... son. Elkanah, with Hannah, took the young Samuel to Shiloh when he was
weaned, and left him with EIi as their offering to Yahweh. ...
/e/elkanah.htm - 14k

Hannah (13 Occurrences)
... Hannah gave birth to a son, whom, in grateful memory of the Lord's goodness, she
called Samuel, ie, "heard of God." After the child was weaned (probably in his ...
/h/hannah.htm - 14k

Quieted (8 Occurrences)
... (YLT NAS). Psalms 131:2 Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned
child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. ...
/q/quieted.htm - 8k

Nursed (13 Occurrences)
... Wait until you have weaned him; only may Yahweh establish his word." So the woman
waited and nursed her son, until she weaned him. (WEB WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/n/nursed.htm - 10k

Lad (66 Occurrences)
... (WEY ASV YLT RSV). Genesis 21:8 And the lad groweth, and is weaned, and Abraham
maketh a great banquet in the day of Isaac's being weaned; (YLT). ...
/l/lad.htm - 27k

Groweth (29 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Genesis 21:8 And the lad groweth, and is weaned, and Abraham maketh
a great banquet in the day of Isaac's being weaned; (YLT). ...
/g/groweth.htm - 15k

Gamul (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Weaned the leader of one of the priestly courses
(1 Chronicles 24:17). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GAMUL. ...
/g/gamul.htm - 7k

Isaac's (8 Occurrences)
... Isaac's (8 Occurrences). Genesis 21:8 And the lad groweth, and is weaned, and Abraham
maketh a great banquet in the day of Isaac's being weaned; (YLT). ...
/i/isaac's.htm - 8k

What was the significance of weaning a child in the Bible (Genesis 21:8)? | GotQuestions.org

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Weaned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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