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Parent

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Parent in the Bible?

The concept of parenthood in ancient Near Eastern society functioned as the foundational unit for lineage, inheritance, and moral instruction, intersecting with legal frameworks regarding child welfare, education, and disciplinary measures.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the authoritative yet nurturing role of parents clarifies the transmission of covenantal values and social norms depicted in biblical narratives and legal codes.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Parent. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Parent in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Parent clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Parent." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/parent/
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