International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
WEANwen: "To wean" in English Versions of the Bible is always the translation of (gamal), but gamal has a much wider force than merely "to wean," signifying "to deal fully with," as in Psalm 13:6, etc. Hence, as applied to a child, gamal covers the whole period of nursing and care until the weaning is complete (1 Kings 11:20). This period in ancient Israel extended to about 3 years, and when it was finished the child was mature enough to be entrusted to strangers (1 Samuel 1:24). And, as the completion of the period marked the end of the most critical stage of the child's life, it was celebrated with a feast (Genesis 21:8), a custom still observed in the Orient. The weaned child, no longer fretting for the breast and satisfied with its mother's affection, is used in Psalm 131:2 as a figure for Israel's contentment with God's care, despite the smallness of earthly possessions. In Isaiah 28:9 there is an ironical question, `Is God to teach you knowledge as if you were children? You should have learned His will long ago!'
Burton Scott Easton
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Among the Hebrews children (whom it was customary for the mothers to nurse,
Exodus 2:7-9;
1 Samuel 1:23; Cant. 8:1) were not generally weaned till they were three or four years old.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v.) To gradually transfer a child or other young animal from mother's milk to other nourishment.
2. (a.) Hence, to detach or alienate the affections of, from any object of desire; to reconcile to the want or loss of anything.
3. (n.) A weanling; a young child.
Strong's Hebrew
1580. gamal -- to deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean ...... gamal. 1581 >>. to deal fully or adequately with, deal out to,
wean, ripen.
Transliteration: gamal Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-mal') Short Definition: weaned.
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