Children in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE
child, chil'-dren (ben, "son," yeledh, "child" na`ar, "lad";
teknon, paidion): The Hebrews regarded the presence of
children in the family as a mark of Divine favor and greatly
to be desired (Gen 15:2; 30:1; 1 Sam 1:11,20; Ps 127:3; Lk
1:7,28). The birth of a male child was especially a cause
for rejoicing (Ps 128:3, Hebrew); more men, more defenders
for the tribe. If there were no sons born to a household,
that family or branch became lost. If the wife proved
childless, other wife or wives might be added to the family
(Gen 16 f). Further, each Jewish mother, at least in later
times, hoped that her son might prove to be the Messiah. The
custom of Levirate marriage, which was not limited to the
Hebrew people, rested on the principle that if a man died
childless his brother should marry his widow, the children
of such union being considered as belonging to the brother
whose name and line were thus preserved from extinction (Dt
25:5; Gen 38:26; Mt 22:24).
Children were sometimes dedicated to God, even before their
birth (1 Sam 1:11). Names often were significant: Moses (Ex
2:10); Samuel (1 Sam 1:20); Ichabod (1 Sam 4:21; compare Gen
30) (see PROPER NAMES). The firstborn son belonged to God
(Nu 3:44 ff). The ceremony of redeeming the firstborn
occurred on the thirtieth day. Friends of the family were
invited to a feast, the rabbi also being present. The child
was placed in the hands of the priest. The father carried
some gold or silver in a cup or vessel. The priest asked the
mother whether this was her firstborn, and, on being
answered in the affirmative, claimed the child as Yahweh's.
The father offered the redemption money, which was accepted
in exchange for the child (compare 1 Pet 1:18). See
FIRSTBORN. Other stages in the life of the child were
celebrated with fitting ceremonies. In the fourth year, in
Israel,on the second day of the Passover occurred the
ceremony of the first cutting of the boy's hair, the friends
sharing the privilege. Sometimes, as in the case of the
wealthy, the weight of the child in currency was given as a
donation to the poor. In common with the custom of other
eastern peoples, male children were circumcised (Gen 17:12),
the rite being performed on the eighth day.
Early education was cared for in the home, the children
growing up more or less with the mother (Prov 6:20; 31:1; 2
Tim 1:5; 3:14,15), and the girl continuing with her mother
until her marriage. In wealthier families tutors were
employed (1 Ch 27:32). Schools for children are first
mentioned by Josephus (Ant., XV, x, 5). According to the
Talmud the first school for children was established about
100 BC, but in the time of Jesus such schools were common.
Children were taught to read and to write even in families
of moderate means, these arts being widely diffused as early
as 600 BC, if not earlier (Isa 8:1; 10:19). Great stress was
laid on the Torah, i.e. the law of Moses. Boys were trained
also in farming, the tending of cattle, and in the trades.
The religious training of the boy began in his fourth year,
as soon as he could speak distinctly. The religious life of
the girl also began early. In later times at least children
took part in the Sabbath and Passover festivals and boys
attended synagogue and school regularly.
Children were subject to the father (Neh 5:5 marks the
extreme), who in turn was bound to protect them, though he
himself had the power of life and death (Lev 18:21; 20:2
ff). Respect for and obedience to parents were stoutly
upheld by public opinion (Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16; compare...
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