In biblical terminology, the term "lad" is often used to refer to a young boy or a youth. The Hebrew word often translated as "lad" is "na'ar," which can denote a range of ages from infancy to young adulthood, depending on the context. The term is used in various narratives throughout the Bible, often highlighting the role of young individuals in God's unfolding plan.

Old Testament References:

1. Ishmael: In Genesis 21:12-20, Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, is referred to as a "lad" when he and his mother are sent away into the wilderness. The narrative emphasizes God's care and provision for the boy, as an angel of God calls to Hagar from heaven, saying, "Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies" (Genesis 21:17). This passage underscores the theme of divine intervention and promise, as God reassures Hagar of Ishmael's future.

2. Isaac: In the account of the binding of Isaac (Genesis 22), Isaac is referred to as a "lad" when Abraham takes him to Mount Moriah. The text states, "Then Abraham said to his young men, 'Stay here with the donkey while the boy and I go over there. We will worship and then we will return to you'" (Genesis 22:5). This account is pivotal in demonstrating faith and obedience, as well as foreshadowing the sacrificial system and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

3. Joseph: Joseph is described as a "lad" when he is sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37:2). His account is one of resilience and divine providence, as God uses Joseph's trials to position him as a leader in Egypt, ultimately preserving the lineage of Israel.

New Testament Reference:

1. Feeding of the Five Thousand: In the New Testament, the term "lad" is used in the account of the feeding of the five thousand. In John 6:9, a boy provides the five barley loaves and two small fish that Jesus miraculously multiplies to feed the multitude. The passage reads, "Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish, but what difference will these make among so many?" (John 6:9). This event highlights the theme of God's provision and the importance of childlike faith and generosity.

Theological Significance:

The use of "lad" in these narratives often signifies more than just age; it points to the potential and promise inherent in youth. In each instance, the "lad" plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's plan, whether through direct action or as a symbol of faith and obedience. These accounts remind believers of the value God places on the young and the ways in which He can use anyone, regardless of age, to fulfill His purposes.

The biblical portrayal of lads serves as an encouragement to nurture and guide the younger generation in faith, recognizing their potential to impact the world for God's kingdom.5288. naar -- a boy, lad, youth, retainer
... 5287, 5288. naar. 5289 . a boy, lad, youth, retainer. Transliteration:
naar Phonetic Spelling: (nah'-ar) Short Definition: men. ...
/hebrew/5288.htm - 6k

The Lad's Loaves in the Lord's Hands
... The Lad's Loaves in the Lord's Hands. A Sermon (No.2216). ... Andrew said to Jesus,
"There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes.". ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the lads loaves in the.htm

Sight and Blindness
... Note the strongly contrasted pictures of the lad and his master,"the one representing
the despair of sense, the other the confidence of faith. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/sight and blindness.htm

Sex Education for Boys and the Sunday School
... And it is the quality of this knowledge, its purity and fear and regard, that
makes the lad a worthy member of the larger whole, or a peril. ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xv sex education for boys.htm

Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891
... Young Man! A Prayer for You. The Lad's Loaves in the Lord's Hands. Three Names High
on the Muster-roll. "Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/

Good News
... see him die. The water in the bottle is spent, and she longs for a cooling
draught that might save the young lad's life. Then the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/good news.htm

Philip is Baptised
... Diodore. Chrysostom would not force the workings of the grace of God in
the lad's heart. He waited for some new sign from Heaven. ...
/.../chapter ix philip is baptised.htm

Goodness Wrought and Goodness Laid Up
... hungry applicants. The bread that was broken yielded more basketfuls for
to-morrow than the original quantity in the lad's hands. The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/goodness wrought and goodness laid.htm

At an Irish Funeral
... At the ferry was a lad who asked my name. When he heard it, he cried out, "O sir,
you have no business here; you have nothing to do at Waterford. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/at an irish funeral.htm

Of the Staff of the Egyptians.
... staff; as he says to Gehazi, his servant, when sending him to raise the woman's
son to life: "Take my staff and run and go and place it on the lad's face that ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii of the staff.htm

A Memorial Sketch by John Watson (Ian Maclaren)
... Buchanan is playing A1, and that hit ought to have been a four; I messed the running."
It was good form, of course, and what any decent lad would want to say ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/a memorial sketch by john.htm

Lad's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lad's (2 Occurrences). Genesis 44:30 Now therefore
when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be ...
/l/lad's.htm - 7k

Ishmael (44 Occurrences)
... Genesis 17:10). Thus young Ishmael was made a party to the covenant into
which God had entered with the lad's father. The fact that ...
/i/ishmael.htm - 38k

Lads (20 Occurrences)

/l/lads.htm - 12k

Lady (37 Occurrences)

/l/lady.htm - 22k

Lad (66 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LAD. ...Lad (66 Occurrences). Matthew 17:18 and Jesus rebuked
him, and the demon went out of him, and the lad was healed from that hour ...
/l/lad.htm - 27k

Bread (433 Occurrences)
... thick. Such, probably, were the lad's "barley loaves" brought to Christ
at the time of the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:9, 13). ...
/b/bread.htm - 58k

Soul (554 Occurrences)
... Genesis 44:30 Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad is
not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life; (See JPS YLT). ...
/s/soul.htm - 47k

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