Nurse (properly אֹמֵן, omen', masc., τιθηνός, nutrix. nutritius; fem. אֹמֶנֶת, ome'neth, τιθηνός, nutrix; from אָמִן, to carry [see Isa 60:4]; usually מֵינֶקֶת, meyne'keth, fem. part. Hiph., from יָנִק "suck," with אַשָּׁה γυνὴ τροφεύουσα [Ex 2:7]; in the N.T. τροφός ', nutrix [1Th 2:7]). Moses applied this term to himself in relation to Israel, though only to exiress his inability to fulfill what it required, or his sense of oppression under the responsibility involved in it (Nu 11:12). But more commonly it is applied to women, and much apparently in the same manner and with the same regard that is usual among ourselves. It is clear, both from Scripture and from Greek and Roman writers, that in ancient times the position of the nurse. wherever one was maintained, was one of much hone and importance (see Ge 24:59; Ge 35:8; 2Sa 4:4; 2Ki 11:2; 2Ki 2 Maccabees 1:20; comp. Homer, Od. 2:361; 19:15, 251, 466; Eurip. Ion, i357; Hippol. 267 and foll.; Virgil, AEn. 7:1). The same term is applied to a foster father or mother, e.g. Nu 11:12; Ru 4:16; Isa 49:23. In great families male servants, probably eunuchs in later times, were intrusted with the charge of the boys (2Ki 1:5; see also Kuran, 4:63, Tegg's ed.; Mrs. Poole, Englw. in Egypt, 3:201). SEE CHILD.
In Christian times nursing the sick has ever been the special care of pious females, and many have devoted themselves to this work, in hospitals and elsewhere, both in war and peace, with religious earnestness. Among the Roman Catholics this is one of the special duties of the "Sisters of Charity."
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More