nurse Summary and Overview

In ancient times the position of the nurse, wherever one was maintained, was one of much honor sad importance. See #Ge 24:59; 36;8; 2Sa 4:4; 2Ki 11:2| The same term is applied to a foster-father or mother, e.g. #Nu 11:12; Ru 4:16; Isa 49:23|

NURSE . The position was one of much importance and honor. Rebekah's nurse accompanied her mistress to Canaan, and was buried with much mourning at Allon-bachuth. Gen 24:59; Gen 35:8. The tenderness of a nurse is not infrequently referred to. Isa 49:23; 1 Thess 2:7.

Anciently a position of honour; so Deborah ("seen"), Genesis 24:59; Genesis 35:8; Ruth 4:16. (See DEBORAH.) Figuratively; Moses was "as a nursing father bearing the sucking child" (Numbers 11:12). So Isaiah 49:23. So Paul, "we were gentle" (so the Alexandrinus manuscript and the Ephraemi Rescriptus (C), epioi, but the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus 'infants,' neepioi) among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her own (Greek) children" (1 Thessalonians 2:7).