Female parent who carries, give birth to, and cares for a child. Usually refers to humans but may refer to animals or even as a metaphor for deity. In the Bible a wife has two equally important roles; to love, support, and provide companionship and sexual satisfaction for her husband and to bear and rear children. So important was the latter that a stigma was attached to barrenness (Gen 16:1-2; 18:9-15; 30:1; 1 Sam 1:1-20; Luke 1:5-25, esp. vs 25).

The Bible refers to every aspect of motherhood: conception (Gen 4:1; Luke 1:24), pregnancy (2 Sam 11:5; Luke 1:24), the pain of childbirth (Gen 3:16; John 16:21), and nursing (1 Sam 1:23; Matt 24:19). A new mother was considered to be ritually unclean, and an offering was prescribed for her purification (Lev 12; cp Luke 2:22-24). The book of Proverbs (1:8; 31:1) indicates that even in ancient times mothers shared with fathers the responsibility for instructing and disciplining children. Mothers have the same right to obedience and respects as fathers (Exod 20:12; Lev 19:3), and in OT times death could be the penalty for those who cursed or assaulted parents (Exod 21:15, 17; Deut 21:18-21). Jesus enforced the fifth commandment and protected it against scribal evasion (Matt 15:3-6).

Motherly virtues are often extolled: compassion for children (Isa 49:15), comfort of children (Isa 66:13), and sorrow for children (Jer 31:15, quoted in Matt 2:18).

The fact that God would use a human mother to bring His Son into the world has bestowed upon motherhood its greatest honor. Jesus set an example for all to follow by the provision He made for His mother (John 19:25-27). Jesus made plain, however, that devoted to God must take precedence over devotion to one’s mother (Matt 12:46-50). Even the OT (Gen 2:24) indicates that a man’s devotion to his wife supersedes that to his mother,

In addition to the literal sense, including that of animal mothers (Exod 34:26; Lev 22:27), the word is often used metaphorically. Israel is compared to an unfaithful mother (Hos 2:2-5; Isa 50:1). Revelation 17:5 calls Babylon (Rome) the mother of harlots (those who are unfaithful to God). A city is the “mother” of her people (2 Sam 20:19).

Deborah was the “mother” (or deliverer) of Israel. In a more positive vein, the heavenly Jerusalem is the “mother’ of Christians (Gal 4:26). Jesus spoke of His compassion for Jerusalem as being like that of a mother hen for her chicks (Matt 23:37). Paul compared his ministry to a mother in labor (Gal 4:19) and a nursing mother (1 Thess 2:7).