Nurse
NURSE
The Bible contains various allusions to the tender and confidential relation anciently subsisting between a nurse and the children she had brought up, Isa 49:22,23 1Th 2:7,8 . See also the story of Rebekah, attended through life by her faithful and honored Deborah, the oak under which she was buried being called “The oak of weeping,” Gen 24:59 35:8. The custom still prevails in the better families of Syria and India. Says Roberts in his Oriental Illustrations, “how often have scenes like this led my mind to the patriarchal age. The daughter is about for the first time to leave the paternal roof; the servants are all in confusion; each refers to things long gone by, each wishes to do something to attract the attention of his young mistress. One says, ‘Ah do not forget him who nursed you when an infant;’ another, ‘How often did I bring you the beautiful lotus from the distant tank. Did I not always conceal your faults?’ Then the mother comes to take leave. She weeps and tenderly embraces her, saying, ‘My daughter, I shall see you no more; forget not your mother.’ The brother enfolds his sister in his arms, and promises soon to come and see her. The father is absorbed in thought, and is only aroused by the sobs of the party. He then affectionately embraces his daughter, and tells her not to fear. The female domestics must each smell of the poor girl, and the men touch her feet. As Rebekah had her nurse to accompany her, so, at this day, the aya (nurse) who has from infancy brought up the bride goes with her to the new scene. She is her adviser, her assistant and friend, and to her will she tell all her hopes and all her fears.”
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Nurse
(properly , omen’, masc., , nutrix. nutritius; fem. , ome’neth, , nutrix; from , to carry [see Isa 60:4]; usually , meyne’keth, fem. part. Hiph., from suck, with [Exo 2:7]; in the N.T. , nutrix [1Th 2:7]). Moses applied this term to himself in relation to Israel, though only to exiress his inability to fulfill what it required, or his sense of oppression under the responsibility involved in it (Num 11:12). But more commonly it is applied to women, and much apparently in the same manner and with the same regard that is usual among ourselves. It is clear, both from Scripture and from Greek and Roman writers, that in ancient times the position of the nurse. wherever one was maintained, was one of much hone and importance (see Gen 24:59; Gen 35:8; 2Sa 4:4; 2Ki 11:2; 2Ma 1:20; comp. Homer, Od. 2:361; 19:15, 251, 466; Eurip. Ion, i357; Hippol. 267 and foll.; Virgil, AEn. 7:1). The same term is applied to a foster father or mother, e.g. Num 11:12; Rth 4:16; Isa 49:23. In great families male servants, probably eunuchs in later times, were intrusted with the charge of the boys (2Ki 1:5; see also Kuran, 4:63, Tegg’s ed.; Mrs. Poole, Englw. in Egypt, 3:201). SEE CHILD.
In Christian times nursing the sick has ever been the special care of pious females, and many have devoted themselves to this work, in hospitals and elsewhere, both in war and peace, with religious earnestness. Among the Roman Catholics this is one of the special duties of the Sisters of Charity.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Nurse
Anciently a position of honour; so Deborah (“seen”), Gen 24:59; Gen 35:8; Rut 4:16. (See DEBORAH.) Figuratively; Moses was “as a nursing father bearing the sucking child” (Num 11:12). So Isa 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” (1Th 2:7).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Nurse
NURSE.Healthy women among the Hebrews in ancient times were accustomed to suckle their own children (Gen 21:7). As in Palestine to-day, the child was suckled for a long time, sometimes as much as three years (1Sa 1:23 f., 2Ma 7:27). Weaning was the occasion of a joyful feast (Gen 21:8, 1Sa 1:24). But the nurse was also found in olden times in Israel, and was often held in great affection and honour (Gen 24:59; Gen 35:8, Exo 2:7, 2Ki 11:2, Isa 49:23, 1Th 2:7). The nurse, mneqeth, must be distinguished from the meneth, tr. [Note: translate or translation.] nurse in Rth 4:18, 2Sa 4:4, which means the attendant in charge of the child.
W. Ewing.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Nurse
Such in O.T. times were held in esteem, as was Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, Gen 35:8. Twice the expression, ‘nursing fathers,’ occurs, and queens are to be ‘nursing mothers’ to Israel in the future. Num 11:12; Isa 49:23. Paul said, “We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.” 1Th 2:7.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Nurse
General references
Gen 24:59; Gen 35:8; Exo 2:7; Rth 4:16; 2Ki 11:2; Isa 60:4; 1Th 2:7
Careless
2Sa 4:4
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Nurse
Nurse. In ancient times, the position of the nurse, wherever one was maintained, was one of much honor and importance. See Gen 24:59; Gen_36;8; 2Sa 4:4; 2Ki 11:2. The same term is applied to a foster-father or mother, for example, Num 11:12; Rth 4:16; Isa 49:23.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Nurse
translated “nurse” in 1Th 2:7, there denotes a “nursing” mother, as is clear from the statement “cherisheth her own children;” this is also confirmed by the word epios, “gentle” (in the same verse), which was commonly used of the kindness of parents towards children. Cp. trepho, “to bring up” (see NOURISH).
Fuente: Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words
Nurse
The nurse in an eastern family is always an important personage. Modern travellers inform us, that in Syria she is considered as a sort of second parent, whether she has been foster-mother, or otherwise. She always accompanies the bride to her husband’s house, and ever remains there an honoured character. Thus it was in ancient Greece. This will serve to explain Gen 24:59 : And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse. In Hindostan the nurse is not looked upon as a stranger, but becomes one of the family, and passes the remainder of her life in the midst of the children she has suckled, by whom she is honoured and cherished as a second mother. In many parts of Hindostan are mosques and mausoleums, built by the Mohammedan princes, near the sepulchres of their nurses. They are excited by a grateful affection to erect these structures in memory of those who with maternal anxiety watched over their helpless infancy: thus it has been from time immemorial.
Fuente: Biblical and Theological Dictionary
Nurse
Num 11:12 (a) Moses uses this type to indicate the sweet, tender relationship which existed between his heart and the people of Israel who are here compared to his children.
Isa 49:23 (a) This is descriptive of the manner and method by which the Gentile rulers will be made to serve the nation of Israel with their wealth and their power in the day of the millennium.
1Th 2:7 (a) Paul thus describes his loving care for GOD’s people.