In the context of the Bible, the term "child" or "children" holds significant theological and moral implications, reflecting both literal and metaphorical meanings. Children are often seen as blessings from God, representing innocence, purity, and the potential for growth in faith and character.

Biblical References:

1. Blessings and Heritage:
Children are frequently described as blessings and a heritage from the Lord. In Psalm 127:3-5 , it is written: "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." This passage underscores the value and joy that children bring to a family, emphasizing their role as gifts from God.

2. Innocence and Humility:
Jesus Christ often highlighted the qualities of children as exemplary for those seeking to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew 18:3-4 , Jesus states, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Here, children symbolize humility, trust, and dependence on God, qualities that are essential for spiritual growth and salvation.

3. Parental Responsibility:
The Bible places a strong emphasis on the responsibility of parents to nurture and instruct their children in the ways of the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse highlights the importance of early spiritual education and moral guidance, suggesting that a solid foundation in faith will endure throughout a child's life.

4. Discipline and Instruction:
Discipline is seen as an integral part of raising children, intended to guide them towards righteousness. Hebrews 12:7-11 discusses the concept of divine discipline, drawing a parallel to parental discipline: "Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons." This passage emphasizes that discipline, though sometimes painful, is a sign of love and is necessary for growth and maturity.

5. Protection and Care:
The Bible also speaks to the protection and care of children, advocating for their well-being and safety. In Mark 10:14 , Jesus expresses His concern for children, saying, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." This reflects the high regard in which children are held and the importance of ensuring their access to spiritual nourishment and protection.

Metaphorical Use:

In addition to the literal sense, "children" is used metaphorically in Scripture to describe believers in their relationship with God. Believers are often referred to as "children of God," highlighting their status as heirs to God's promises and their need for spiritual growth and maturity. Romans 8:16-17 states, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ."

Overall, the concept of "child" in the Bible encompasses both the literal understanding of young human beings and the spiritual metaphor of believers as children of God, emphasizing themes of innocence, growth, responsibility, and divine inheritance.3813. paidion -- a young child
... a young child. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: paidion Phonetic Spelling:
(pahee-dee'-on) Short Definition: a little child, an infant Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3813.htm - 7k286. Achilud -- "child's brother," two Israelites
... 285, 286. Achilud. 287 . "child's brother," two Israelites. Transliteration:
Achilud Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-lood') Short Definition: Ahilud. ...
/hebrew/286.htm - 6k

3206. yeled -- child, son, boy, youth
... 3205, 3206. yeled. 3207 . child, son, boy, youth. Transliteration: yeled
Phonetic Spelling: (yeh'-led) Short Definition: child. ...
/hebrew/3206.htm - 6k

Child's Story of the Bible
Child's Story of the Bible. <. Child's Story of the Bible Mary A. Lathbury.
Produced by Al Haines Table of Contents. Title Page. PREFACE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lathbury/childs story of the bible/

A Child's Faith
... A CHILD'S FAITH. Johnny Hall was a poor boy. His mother worked hard for
their daily bread. "Please give me something to eat, for ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/a childs faith.htm

The Child's Prayer
... THE CHILD'S PRAYER. [Illustration.] ... A still, small voice she heard within
her soul" "What is it child? I hear thee; tell the whole.". ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/the childs prayer.htm

The Child's Work
... FOR THE CHILDREN THE CHILD'S WORK. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899. ... And I know not
what to do,. And I know not how to speak. "O child, there is nought you can do". ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/the childs work.htm

"Conquer the Child's Will"
... Chapter 4. Preaching Incidents; Wesley's Labor Colony; Dispute with Whitefield;
Curious Interruptions; The Mother of the Wesleys "Conquer the Child's Will". ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/conquer the childs will.htm

A Child's Prayer Answered
... A CHILD'S PRAYER ANSWERED. The following touching incident which drew tears
from my eyes, was related to me a short time since, by ...
/.../a childs prayer answered.htm

Song 24. The Child's Complaint.
... Divine Songs Song 24. The child's complaint. The child's complaint. 8,6,8,6. ...
How vain are all my thoughts! Pity the weakness of a child,. ...
/.../watts/divine and moral songs/song 24 the childs complaint.htm

A Child's Prayer.
... EARLY RELIGIOUS CULTURE. 762. " A Child's Prayer. 762. CM Anonymous. A
Child's Prayer. 1 Lord, teach a little child to pray, And ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/762 a childs prayer.htm

Song 24. The Child's Complaint.
... Divine Songs For Children. Song 24. The Child's Complaint. ... How vain are all my thoughts!
Pity the weakness of a child, And pardon all my faults. ...
/.../watts/divine songs for children/song 24 the childs complaint.htm

The Child's Greave
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCXXXIII THE CHILD'S GRE??VE. Avore the
time when zuns went down On zummer's green a-turn'd to brown,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cccxxxiii the childs greave.htm

Child's (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Child's (16 Occurrences). Matthew 1:25 but did not live
with her until she had given birth to a son. The child's name he called JESUS. ...
/c/child's.htm - 11k

Feelings (26 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I made use of a child's language, I had
a child's feelings and a child's thoughts: now that I am a man, I have put away ...
/f/feelings.htm - 14k

Stretching (84 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Acts 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders
may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/s/stretching.htm - 32k

Thoughts (151 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I made use of a child's language, I had
a child's feelings and a child's thoughts: now that I am a man, I have put away ...
/t/thoughts.htm - 34k

Boy's (10 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, "I believe. ... have
no fear, for the child's cry has come to the ears of God. (BBE). ...
/b/boy's.htm - 9k

Firstling (8 Occurrences)
... On the 30th day after birth the firstborn was brought to the priest by the father,
who paid five shekels for the child's redemption from service in the temple ...
/f/firstling.htm - 15k

Firstborn (119 Occurrences)
... On the 30th day after birth the firstborn was brought to the priest by the father,
who paid five shekels for the child's redemption from service in the temple ...
/f/firstborn.htm - 46k

Fresh (41 Occurrences)
... sweet"). Fresher is the translation of rutaphash, "to become fresh" (Job
33:25; "His flesh shall be fresher than a child's"). Revised ...
/f/fresh.htm - 21k

Children's (28 Occurrences)

/c/children's.htm - 15k

David's (142 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 12:15 Then Nathan went back to his house. And the hand of the Lord was
on David's son, the child of Uriah's wife, and it became very ill. (BBE). ...
/d/david's.htm - 37k

What does the Bible say about overbearing or controlling parents? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say to do with a rebellious child? | GotQuestions.org

What is traducianism? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus