The fundamental importance of motherhood is recognised throughout Scripture.
Motherhood and childbirth
God plans happiness for women in motherhood
He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!
The need for a mother's cleansing after childbirth
See also Leviticus 12:1–8; Luke 2:22–24
A mother's relationship with her children
A mother loves and cares for her children
1 Thessalonians 2:7 Paul's statement assumes that a mother's normal attitude towards her child is one of love and care. See also Luke 2:48
On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.
A mother's role as teacher
Proverbs 1:8 See also Proverbs 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:5
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.
The responsibility to discipline children
A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
The joy or sorrow of parents at their children's conduct
Proverbs 10:1 See also Proverbs 23:25
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
The negative influence of some mothers upon their children
2 Chronicles 22:3 See also Genesis 27:5–17; 1 Kings 22:52; Matthew 14:6–8, Matthew 20:20–22
Ahaziah also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in wickedness.
Children's reponsibility to honour their parents
Exodus 20:12 parallel Deuteronomy 5:16 “Honour” implies respect, obedience and care for the parents' needs. See also Leviticus 19:3; Matthew 19:19 parallels Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20; Ephesians 6:1–3
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
This honour is due especially to mothers in old age
Penalties for disobeying parents
Exodus 21:15, Exodus 21:17; Deuteronomy 21:18–21; Proverbs 20:20; Matthew 15:4–6 parallel Mark 7:10–13
Sexual relations with one's mother or mother-in-law are forbidden
Leviticus 18:7; Deuteronomy 27:23
Upon marriage the mother-child relationship becomes secondary
Genesis 2:24 See also Matthew 19:5 parallel Mark 10:7; Ephesians 5:31
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Care for a mother-in-law
Ruth 2:11 See also Matthew 8:14–15 parallels Mark 1:29–31, Luke 4:38
Boaz replied, “I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth, and how you came to a people you did not know before.
The ministry of Jesus Christ may produce conflict within families
Luke 12:53 parallel Matthew 10:35–36
They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Following Jesus Christ involves a commitment to him even deeper than love of one's parents
Matthew 10:37 See also Luke 14:26
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
Jesus Christ regards those who do God's will as his own family
Matthew 12:49–50 parallels Mark 3:31–35, Luke 8:19–21 See also Matthew 19:29 parallels Mark 10:29, Luke 18:29–30
Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.