Offspring, which were highly valued by Israelites as gracious gifts of God (Ps 113:9; Ps 127:3; Ps 128:5-6). Having large numbers of children was considered a divine blessing (Gen 24:60; Ruth 4:11-12), and the multiplication of descendants was part of God’s promise to Israel’s ancestors (Gen 12:2; Gen 15:5; Gen 16:10; Gen 17:2; Gen 22:17; Gen 26:4). Barrenness was considered at best a vexation (Gen 16:2; Gen 30:2; 1Sam 1:3-8) and at worst a divine punishment (Gen 20:18). Children often received symbolic names (Gen 4:1; Gen 25:25-26; Gen 29:32; Gen 29:35; Gen 30:6; Gen 30:8; Gen 30:11; Gen 30:13; Gen 30:18; Gen 30:24; Gen 41:51-52; Isa 8:3; Hos 1:2-9) and were educated by their parents, particularly in Israel’s faith (Prov 1:8; Prov 6:20; Exod 12:26-27; Deut 4:9; Deut 6:7; Deut 20-25:7; Deut 32:46). Children received an inheritance from their parents, with the eldest son receiving a double portion (Num 36; Deut 21:15-17). Firstborn sons were thought to belong to God, but were to be redeemed (Exod 13:11-15; Exod 22:29; Exod 34:20; Num 18:15). However, the OT contains many stories of God’s blessing going to a younger child (Gen 28:13-14; Gen 27:1-40; Gen 47:8-20; Gen 49:1-27). In the NT, Christians are sometimes addressed as children by church authorities, a practice the church traced to Jesus (Gal 4:19; 2Tim 1:2; Phlm 1:10; 1John 2:1; 1John 2:12; 1John 2:18; 1John 2:28; Matt 9:2; Mark 2:5; Mark 10:24; John 13:33). Jesus is remembered as indicating that little children provide a model for recognizing who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matt 18:1-5).
