Showcasing the essence of motherhood and women in families: Insights from the Old Testament

This paper highlights that the notion of motherhood encompasses a wide range of perspectives within families. The significant role of mothers in contemporary Hebrew legal and moral systems is fundamental to this discussion. Motherhood extends beyond biological ties, involving responsibilities such a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fritz William Malvern Steenkamp, Prof Fazel Ebrihiam Freeks
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Africajournals 2025-01-01
Series:Pharos Journal of Theology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_16_106_1__2025.pdf
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850099267983638528
author Fritz William Malvern Steenkamp
Prof Fazel Ebrihiam Freeks
author_facet Fritz William Malvern Steenkamp
Prof Fazel Ebrihiam Freeks
author_sort Fritz William Malvern Steenkamp
collection DOAJ
description This paper highlights that the notion of motherhood encompasses a wide range of perspectives within families. The significant role of mothers in contemporary Hebrew legal and moral systems is fundamental to this discussion. Motherhood extends beyond biological ties, involving responsibilities such as providing education, nutrition, a hygienic environment, and quality time with both parents. The reverence for motherhood is evident in biblical passages such as Exodus 20:12, Leviticus 19:3, 5:16, Deuteronomy 21:18, and 21:21. In Jewish tradition, the mother of the king holds a position of high esteem, as reflected in texts such as 1 Kings 2:29, Proverbs 10:1, 15:20, 17:25, 29:15, 31:1, and 31:31. For instance, King Solomon demonstrated profound respect for his mother, Bathsheba, by standing to honour her when she entered the throne room and seating her at his right hand to engage in important discussions.
format Article
id doaj-art-21f7a9b7e71d4a298b6838aa3798f0fe
institution DOAJ
issn 2414-3324
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Africajournals
record_format Article
series Pharos Journal of Theology
spelling doaj-art-21f7a9b7e71d4a298b6838aa3798f0fe2025-08-20T02:40:31ZengAfricajournalsPharos Journal of Theology2414-33242025-01-011061https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.106.16Showcasing the essence of motherhood and women in families: Insights from the Old TestamentFritz William Malvern Steenkamp0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0268-4800Prof Fazel Ebrihiam Freeks1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2474-8756MTh student Faculty of Theology, North-West University Potchefstroom, South AfricaFaculty of Theology, North-West University Potchefstroom, South AfricaThis paper highlights that the notion of motherhood encompasses a wide range of perspectives within families. The significant role of mothers in contemporary Hebrew legal and moral systems is fundamental to this discussion. Motherhood extends beyond biological ties, involving responsibilities such as providing education, nutrition, a hygienic environment, and quality time with both parents. The reverence for motherhood is evident in biblical passages such as Exodus 20:12, Leviticus 19:3, 5:16, Deuteronomy 21:18, and 21:21. In Jewish tradition, the mother of the king holds a position of high esteem, as reflected in texts such as 1 Kings 2:29, Proverbs 10:1, 15:20, 17:25, 29:15, 31:1, and 31:31. For instance, King Solomon demonstrated profound respect for his mother, Bathsheba, by standing to honour her when she entered the throne room and seating her at his right hand to engage in important discussions.https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_16_106_1__2025.pdfmotherhoodwomenmothersfamiliesold testament
spellingShingle Fritz William Malvern Steenkamp
Prof Fazel Ebrihiam Freeks
Showcasing the essence of motherhood and women in families: Insights from the Old Testament
Pharos Journal of Theology
motherhood
women
mothers
families
old testament
title Showcasing the essence of motherhood and women in families: Insights from the Old Testament
title_full Showcasing the essence of motherhood and women in families: Insights from the Old Testament
title_fullStr Showcasing the essence of motherhood and women in families: Insights from the Old Testament
title_full_unstemmed Showcasing the essence of motherhood and women in families: Insights from the Old Testament
title_short Showcasing the essence of motherhood and women in families: Insights from the Old Testament
title_sort showcasing the essence of motherhood and women in families insights from the old testament
topic motherhood
women
mothers
families
old testament
url https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_16_106_1__2025.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT fritzwilliammalvernsteenkamp showcasingtheessenceofmotherhoodandwomeninfamiliesinsightsfromtheoldtestament
AT proffazelebrihiamfreeks showcasingtheessenceofmotherhoodandwomeninfamiliesinsightsfromtheoldtestament