Weaning in biblical times was a significant milestone in the life of a child and is mentioned in several passages throughout the Scriptures. The process of weaning a child from breastfeeding marked a transition from infancy to early childhood and was often accompanied by cultural and religious significance.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 21:8 · "So the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned." This passage highlights the celebration associated with weaning. Isaac's weaning was marked by a feast, indicating the importance of this event in the family and community. It was a time of joy and thanksgiving, acknowledging the child's growth and development.

2. 1 Samuel 1:22-24 · "But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, 'After the boy is weaned, I will take him to appear before the LORD and stay there permanently.' Her husband Elkanah replied, 'Do what you think is best, and stay here until you have weaned him. Only may the LORD confirm His word.' So Hannah stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him. When she had weaned him, she took him with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh, though the boy was still young." In this account, Hannah's dedication of Samuel to the Lord's service was contingent upon his weaning. This underscores the cultural practice of weaning as a time when a child was considered ready for new stages of life and service.

3. 2 Maccabees 7:27 (Deuterocanonical) · Although not part of the Protestant canon, this passage provides additional context: "But leaning close to him, she spoke in their native tongue: 'My son, have pity on me. I carried you nine months in my womb, and nursed you for three years, and have reared you and brought you up to this point in your life, and have taken care of you.'" This reflects the extended period of nursing and the deep maternal bond formed during this time.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

In ancient Israel, weaning typically occurred around the age of three, although this could vary. The weaning process was not only a physical transition but also a spiritual and social one. It was a time when a child began to partake in more communal activities and was introduced to solid foods, symbolizing a step towards independence.

The celebration of weaning, as seen in the case of Isaac, was an opportunity for families to express gratitude to God for the child's survival and health. In a time when infant mortality was high, reaching the age of weaning was a significant achievement.

Theological Implications:

Weaning in the Bible can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual growth and maturity. Just as a child transitions from milk to solid food, believers are encouraged to grow in their faith and understanding. The Apostle Paul uses this imagery in 1 Corinthians 3:2, where he writes, "I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready." This metaphor underscores the expectation of spiritual development and maturity in the life of a believer.

In summary, weaning in the biblical context was a multifaceted event with physical, cultural, and spiritual dimensions. It marked a child's growth and readiness for new stages of life, celebrated within the family and community, and served as a metaphor for spiritual maturity in the Christian faith.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Wean.

The Christian view of Sorrow
... ends. It thus reveals a weaning, subduing, elevating power, in sorrow.
The ... world. Beautiful is this weaning efficacy of sorrow. By ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/the christian view of sorrow.htm

Chapter xxi
... The weaning becomes the occasion for a "great feast." We are made to feel that
to Abraham everything connected with Isaac is important. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

And when the Circle of Three Years had Rolled Round...
... And when the circle of three years had rolled round, and the time of her weaning
was fulfilled, they brought the virgin to the temple of the Lord with offerings ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of the nativity of mary/chapter 6 and when the.htm

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... As we know, the period of weaning among the Hebrews was generally at the end
of two years (Chethub.60), and was celebrated by a feast. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

Chapter xii
... came in Ur, "before he came to Haran." As our previous, explanation indicated, we
believe that this call included Terah but did not succeed in weaning him from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xii.htm

The Simpler Interpretation of the Promise About not Tasting of ...
... But he who has been weaned, like Isaac, [5757] worthy of the good cheer and reception
which Abraham gave at the weaning of his son, would seek here and in ...
/.../31 the simpler interpretation of.htm

Answer to the Question He is Always Asking, "Can He who is be ...
... It is in fact a constant question amongst his pupils, "How can He who (always) is
be begotten?" This comes, I take it, of not weaning oneself from the human ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 39 answer to the.htm

Letter x. To the Bishops of the Province of vienne. In the Matter ...
... But this most holy firmness of the rock, reared, as we have said, by the building
hand of God, a man must wish to destroy in over-weaning wickedness when he ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter x to the bishops.htm

The Meal at Emmaus
... had been brought during all the previous three years"I suppose that that was intended
to be the beginning of the preparation of weaning and preparing them to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the meal at emmaus.htm

A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ...
... However, this earthly-minded minister of a new gospel, has taken a text which seems
to favor his naughty purpose, of weaning the well-disposed little ones of ...
/.../a preservative against unsettled notions.htm

Weaning (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Wean. Multi-Version Concordance
Weaning (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 1:23 And Elkanah ...
/w/weaning.htm - 6k

Hagar (15 Occurrences)
... 3. Her Harsh Expulsion and Divine Help: The other narrative (Genesis 21:8-21)
relates what occurred in connection with the weaning of Isaac. ...
/h/hagar.htm - 22k

Ishmael (44 Occurrences)
... On the occasion of the weaning of Isaac his rude and wayward spirit broke out in
expressions of insult and mockery (21:9, 10); and Sarah, discovering this ...
/i/ishmael.htm - 38k

Weapon (21 Occurrences)

/w/weapon.htm - 14k

Wean
... etc. Hence, as applied to a child, gamal covers the whole period of nursing
and care until the weaning is complete (1 Kings 11:20). ...
/w/wean.htm - 8k

Weaneth (2 Occurrences)

/w/weaneth.htm - 6k

Entertain (8 Occurrences)
... by offerings (1 Samuel 9:13), in token of alliances (Genesis 26:30); sometimes in
connection with domestic or social events, as at the weaning of children ...
/e/entertain.htm - 12k

Moses (9295 Occurrences)
... As soon as the natural time for weaning the child had come, he was transferred from
the humble abode of his father to the royal palace, where he was brought up ...
/m/moses.htm - 53k

Suckleth (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 1:23 And Elkanah her husband saith to her, 'Do that which is good in thine
eyes; abide till thy weaning him; only, Jehovah establish His word;' and ...
/s/suckleth.htm - 7k

Micaiah (27 Occurrences)
... Foreboding or foreseeing disaster, he did his best to avert it. This he could do
only by weaning the king from the influence of the 400 time-serving prophets. ...
/m/micaiah.htm - 21k

What was the significance of weaning a child in the Bible (Genesis 21:8)? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Family & Parenting (All) | GotQuestions.org

How old was Isaac when Abraham almost sacrificed him? | GotQuestions.org

Weaning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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