mother Summary and Overview

The superiority of the Hebrew over all contemporaneous systems of legislation and of morals is strongly shown in the higher estimation of the mother in the Jewish family, as contrasted with modern Oriental as well as ancient Oriental and classical usage. The king's mother, as appears in the case of Bath-sheba, was treated with special honor. #Ex 20:12; Le 19:3; De 5:16; 21:18,21; 1Ki 2:29; Pr 10:1; 15:20; 17:25; 29:15; 31:1,30|

MOTH'ER . Besides in the literal sense, the word is used in the O.T. in reference to a grandmother, 1 Kgs 15:10, and a stepmother. Gen 37:10. It has also a poetical use, as applied to a political leader, Jud 5:7, a nation, as we say "mother-country." Jer 50:12; Eze 19:2. As the position of woman is always the test of the true civilization of a people, it is pleasing to notice in what respect and affection the mothers stood. See Prov 10:1; Gen 15:20; Prov 17:25; Prov 29:15; Prov 31:1, Prov 31:30, and compare the commands given by Moses. Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16; Gen 21:18, Deut 21:21; Lev 19:3. The queen-mother was in royal times a very much honored person. 1 Kgs 2:19. See Queen.

Honored in Israel as she is not in the East generally; one superiority of Judaism over other contemporary systems (1 Kings 2:19). King Solomon rose up to meet and bowed himself unto Bathsheba, and set her on his right hand (Leviticus 19:3). Figuratively, a city is mother of the surrounding villages its daughters (Joshua 15:45; 2 Samuel 20:19). Ezekiel (Ezekiel 21:21) uses "mother of the way" for the parting of the way into two roads which branch from it, as from a common parent; however, Havernick, from a Arabic idiom, translated it as "the highway."