In the Bible, the term "babes" is used both literally and metaphorically, referring to infants and young children as well as to those who are spiritually immature or new in faith. The concept of babes is significant in understanding the nature of innocence, dependence, and growth in the Christian life.

Literal Usage

In its literal sense, "babes" refers to infants and young children. The Bible often highlights the innocence and purity associated with young children. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus emphasizes the importance of childlike humility and faith: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). This passage underscores the value of humility and trust, qualities inherent in babes, as essential for entering God's kingdom.

The birth of Jesus Christ is another significant event involving a babe. In Luke 2:12, the angel announces to the shepherds, "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger" . The incarnation of Christ as a babe signifies God's profound humility and His approachability, inviting all to come to Him with the simplicity and trust of a child.

Metaphorical Usage

Metaphorically, "babes" is used to describe those who are new to the faith or spiritually immature. The Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian church, saying, "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1). Here, Paul uses the term to highlight the need for growth and maturity in the Christian life. Spiritual babes require nourishment from the "milk" of basic teachings before progressing to the "solid food" of deeper spiritual truths (1 Corinthians 3:2).

The writer of Hebrews also uses this metaphor to encourage believers to move beyond elementary teachings: "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!" (Hebrews 5:12). This passage emphasizes the expectation of growth and maturity in the faith journey.

Spiritual Insights

The concept of babes in Scripture provides profound spiritual insights. It reminds believers of the importance of maintaining a childlike faith characterized by trust, humility, and dependence on God. At the same time, it challenges Christians to grow in their understanding and application of God's Word, moving from spiritual infancy to maturity.

Jesus' prayer in Matthew 11:25 highlights the divine revelation given to babes: "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children" . This verse illustrates that God's truths are often revealed to those with a humble and receptive heart, akin to that of a child.

In summary, the biblical concept of babes encompasses both the literal and metaphorical, offering insights into the nature of faith, growth, and the kingdom of God. Through the imagery of babes, Scripture calls believers to embrace humility, seek spiritual nourishment, and pursue maturity in their walk with Christ.5768. olel -- a child
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a child NASB Word Usage babes
(1), child (2), children (6), infants (2), little ones (9). ...
/hebrew/5768.htm - 6k

3243. yanaq -- to suck
... Definition to suck NASB Word Usage draw (1), infant (3), infants (2), milking (1),
nurse (11), nursed (3), nurses (1), nursing (1), nursing babes (1), nursing ...
/hebrew/3243.htm - 6k

Christ Thanks the Father for Revealing to Babes what He had ...
... Chapter XXV."Christ Thanks the Father for Revealing to Babes What He Had Concealed
from the Wise This Concealment Judiciously Effected by the Creator. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxv christ thanks the father.htm

The Kingdom of God Revealed to Babes. --The Blessedness of the ...
... SAMARIA. Section 206. The Kingdom of God revealed to Babes. "The Blessedness
of the Disciples in beholding it. (Luke, x., 21, 24.). ...
/.../section 206 the kingdom of.htm

Christ's Strange Thanksgiving
... thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.' "Matthew 11 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/christs strange thanksgiving.htm

The Yoke of Jesus.
... and said,"'I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid
these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the yoke of jesus.htm

Matthew xi. 25 Discussed.
... your own teacher, who said, I thank Thee, Lord of heaven and earth, that what was
concealed from the wise, Thou hast revealed to suckling babes.'" [1386] And ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xv matthew xi 25 discussed.htm

Matt. xi. 25, 26
... unto Thee, [1606] O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth; because Thou hast hid these
things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxviii matt xi 25.htm

V. ...
... lay aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and hatred, and all evil
speakings, and desire the sincere milk of the word, as new-born babes, that ye ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v .htm

Again on the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 25, "I Thank Thee, O ...
... "Because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed
them unto babes." [2288] Who are the "wise and prudent"? Who the "babes"? ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xviii again on the.htm

Christ and Little Children
... softer judgment. Little children (St. Luke says "babes") were brought to
Him to bless, to touch them. It was a remarkable sight. He ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 10 13-16 christ and little.htm

Who the Instructor Is, and Respecting his Instruction.
... we have shown that all of us are by Scripture called children; and not only so,
but that we who have followed Christ are figuratively called babes; and that ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vii who the instructor is.htm

Babes (18 Occurrences)
...Babes (18 Occurrences). ... Did you never read,'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing
babies you have perfected praise?'" (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/b/babes.htm - 12k

Babe (15 Occurrences)
... It is used also of those who are weak in Christian faith and knowledge (1 Corinthians
3:1; Hebrews 5:13; 1 Peter 2:2). In Isaiah 3:4 the word "babes" refers to ...
/b/babe.htm - 14k

Nursing (14 Occurrences)
... to them, "Yes. Did you never read,'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing
babies you have perfected praise?'" (WEB NAS). Matthew 24 ...
/n/nursing.htm - 13k

Exclaimed (45 Occurrences)
... heartily praise Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou hast hidden
these things from sages and men of discernment, and hast unveiled them to babes...
/e/exclaimed.htm - 19k

Prudent (40 Occurrences)
... and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid
these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. ...
/p/prudent.htm - 20k

Confess (65 Occurrences)
... to Thee, Father, Lord of the heavens and of the earth, that thou didst hide these
things from wise and understanding ones, and didst reveal them to babes. ...
/c/confess.htm - 26k

Sucklings (18 Occurrences)
... And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and
sucklings thou hast perfected praise? (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/s/sucklings.htm - 11k

Sages (4 Occurrences)
... heartily praise Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou hast hidden
these things from sages and men of discernment, and hast unveiled them to babes...
/s/sages.htm - 7k

Mere (56 Occurrences)
... It had to be as to worldlings--mere babes in Christ. (WEY NIV). 1 Corinthians
3:3 you are still unspiritual. ... Hebrews 5:14 Such persons are mere babes. ...
/m/mere.htm - 22k

Hide (135 Occurrences)
... I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things
from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: (ASV YLT ...
/h/hide.htm - 37k

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