Dictionary of Bible Themes As those who would continue the family line boys were seen as a great blessing from God. Circumcised on the eighth day, as they grew towards maturity they were to be taught by their fathers. In the story of God's people, Israelite boys are seen serving God, being ministered to by men of God and suffering at the hands of ungodly kings. Psalms 127:3-5Boys in general are seen as a blessing from God See also Ruth 4:13-17Psalms 128:3-4 Genesis 17:15-22 Particular boys who are seen as a special gift from God See also The boy Isaac, a gift to Abraham and Sarah Genesis 21:1-7Judges 13:2-5 See also The boy Samson, a gift to Manoah and his wife Judges 13:24-251 Samuel 1:1-20 The boy Samuel, a gift to Elkanah and Hannah Luke 1:5-25See also The boy John, a gift to Zechariah and Elizabeth Luke 1:57-66Luke 1:26-38 See also The boy Jesus, a gift to Mary and Joseph Matthew 1:20-21Genesis 17:9-14 Boys were circumcised on the eighth day See also Leviticus 12:3Luke 1:59; 2:21 Proverbs 4:1-4 Boys were taught by their fathers See also Exodus 13:8While examples of fatherly instruction in Scripture are confined to wisdom literature and liturgical material, other sources indicate that the education provided was more wide-ranging, and would include the teaching of a trade. Deuteronomy 6:20-25Proverbs 4:10-13 1 Samuel 3:1-21 Israelite boys who served God The boy Samuel served God in the temple 1 Samuel 17:20-51The boy David served God by killing Goliath 2 Chronicles 24:1-2The boy King Joash served God 2 Chronicles 34:1-2pp 2Ki 12:1-2 The boy King Josiah served God Luke 2:41-50pp 2Ki 22:1-2 The boy Jesus had a conscious relationship with God 1 Kings 17:17-23Boys who are ministered to by men of God Through Elijah, God restored the life of a widow's son 2 Kings 4:32-37Through Elisha, God restored the life of a Shunammite's son Matthew 17:14-18Jesus Christ healed a demon-possessed boy pp Mk 9:14-27 pp Lk 9:37-43 Matthew 2:16Both Herod and Pharaoh ordered that Israelite boys be killed See also Exodus 1:15-22See also 2520 Christ, childhood5098 John the Baptist 5225 barrenness 5302 education 5664 children 5695 girls 5731 parents 5738 sons 7334 circumcision |
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