Hi Ciao~
In early Biblical times, boys received a direct education from their
father; there were no school rooms for boys to learn from.
A Jewish father was expected to lead the entire family in all
spiritual matters--including spiritual education; he was looked upon
as the priest for the family (see Genesis 12:8 and Job 1:5). While
both the mother and father were both instructed to "train up a child
in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6), the father was responsible
for teaching his sons about God's law (see Deuteronomy 6:7-9) and the
history of Israel. The father was also in charge of corporal
punishment for both boys and girls (see Ephesians 6:4).
In Genesis 17: 12-13, the Bible tells fathers their main
responsibilities toward their sons; among them is teaching sons a
trade. While both the mother and father had an important role to play
in a boy's education, once he was able to walk and use tools, his
father was entirely responsible for teaching him practical
every-day-life skills.
Girls were educated in much the same way as boys. Their fathers taught
them about spiritual matters; this was considered just as important
for girls as it was boys. In fact, many women in the Bible were
spiritual leaders--including Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah (2 Kings
22:11-23:14), Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Anna (Luke 2:36) and Phoebe
(Romans 16:2). Girls in Jewish households were also taught the history
of Israel.
Fathers who followed the Bible's teachings were to love their
daughters just as much as their sons. Indeed, when Nathan wished to
describe the relationship between a father and child, he described a
*daughter* in her father's arms. (See 2 Sam. 12:3)
Mothers, however, taught their daughters practical, household work.
Historians aren't precisely certain when synagogue schools began, but
by New Testament times they were commonly in use. During the week,
boys went to such schools in order to study the scriptures with
scholars. Young boys started out by going to their tutors' house; only
when they were older and better educated did they go to the synagogue
for their education. These classes were supplemental to the spiritual
education boys received at home.
During New Testament times, schools such as these lasted no more than
four hours a day during hot months. Often boys attended classes in the
morning, had a five hour break during the hottest part of the day,
then went back to classes in the late afternoon. All students studied
together in the same room, much like the "one room schoolhouses" of
19th century American history. There were no books for students to
use, and they sat on the ground (Acts 22:3).
Children of both sexes were also taught about etiquette and music.
Boys were also usually taught something about warfare by their male
relatives.
Much of this information comes from the book "Illustrated Manners &
Customs of the Bible" (J.I. Packer and M.C. Tenney, editors, published
by Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1980.) This book is available at most
bookstores; to see it's listing at Amazon.com, go here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0785212310/qid=1035917957/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-5003732-5566227?v=glance
For information about non-Jewish education, try this website:
http://www.bible-history.com/rome/RomeEarly_Roman_Society_Facts.htm
Here's a somewhat scholarly article about education in Jewish history:
http://www.cgst.edu/Student/Journal15/Art01.pdf.
Another strong article on the subject on ancient Jewish education:
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=49&letter=E&search=Biblical%20times%20education
Keywords Used:
customs "Biblical times" education
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