Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
Held in high respect by Hebrews
(Ex. 20:12). Often used for grandmother, or remote ancestor (Gen. 3:20; 1 Kings 15:10).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
The law commanded that honor was to be paid to a mother as well as to a father. In nearly all cases the mothers of the kings of Israel are mentioned as well as the fathers. The wise woman who appealed to Joab as “a mother in Israel,” was at once listened to (2 Sam. 20:19). A mother has naturally great influence over her children, whether for good or evil, as Jochebed the mother of Moses, and Jezebel the mother of Athaliah. The children of the virtuous woman arise and call her blessed (Prov. 31:28). Timothy had a faithful mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5). There are also “mothers” in the church, who have the Lord’s interests at heart in the welfare of the saints, as Paul called the mother of Rufus his own mother also (Rom. 16:13).
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