Word For Wednesday — Founded on the Bible

Genesis 17:16 NLT

And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.

Let's look at the context of this verse. God is talking to Abraham about Sarah. He tells Abraham that in their old age, he will impregnate Sarah and she will give birth to their very own biological son. God is letting Abraham know that His blessing is on her life and on their descendants.

The phrase ‘mother of many nations’ actually refers to nations outside of what would become Israel (1) as well as direct descendants. She will be known as the mother of those who believe in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Even royalty will be a part of her lineage.

People of all statuses, even those of great power and influence, direct biological descendants, and people who believe and worship Jesus as the Son of God, will acknowledge, recognize, and honor her as ‘mother’.

And that is what mother means in this verse.

References:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H1471&t=KJV

Genesis 3:20 NLT

Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live.

Mother here means biological mother, a female parent (1).

Did you realize that Eve’s first name was Adam?

Genesis 5:2 KJV

Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called ‘their’ name Adam, in the day when they were created.

Why do you suppose that is? It is because both men and women were created equal in God’s eyes. They were built differently and had different functions, but complemented each other perfectly. God named our first parents by their status. Adam named his wife by her function.

Mother in this verse refers to Eve, the original mother, the first who co-created with Adam and birthed humankind into existence.

References:

1) https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H517&t=KJV

Mother Part 2

Mother Part 1