### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **thēlázō**, represented by `{{G2337}}`, means **to suckle** or, by implication, **to suck**. Derived from the word for nipple, it appears **6 times** across **6 unique verses** in the Bible, consistently referring to the act of an infant nursing or a mother giving suck.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{G2337}}` is used to illustrate concepts of both blessing and hardship. It appears in Jesus's prophecies of future tribulation, where he pronounces "woe... to them that **give suck** in those days" ([[Matthew 24:19]], [[Mark 13:17]], [[Luke 21:23]]), highlighting the extreme difficulty of caring for a dependent infant during such times. In a similar vein, Jesus foretells a day so terrible that people will call blessed "the paps which never **gave suck**" [[Luke 23:29]]. In contrast, the term is used in a statement of blessing by a woman who, praising Jesus, blesses the mother who nursed him [[Luke 11:27]]. It is also used when Jesus speaks of perfected praise coming from "the mouth of babes and **sucklings**" [[Matthew 21:16]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the act of nurturing and early life:
* `{{G3516}}` **nḗpios** (babe, child): This term for an infant is directly associated with `{{G2337}}` in the phrase "babes and **sucklings**," identifying the youngest and most dependent as sources of pure praise [[Matthew 21:16]].
* `{{G3149}}` **mastós** (pap): This word for a female breast is the physical source for the action of `{{G2337}}`. It appears in direct connection with suckling in both a blessing and a lament ([[Luke 11:27]], [[Luke 23:29]]).
* `{{G1064}}` **gastḗr** (belly, womb): Often translated as "with child," this term describes pregnancy and is used in parallel with `{{G2337}}` in warnings about future distress, linking the vulnerability of pregnancy with that of nursing a newborn [[Mark 13:17]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G2337}}` is found in its portrayal of human vulnerability and dependence.
* **Hardship in Tribulation:** The act of giving suck represents a state of deep responsibility and vulnerability. Its inclusion in passages of woe emphasizes that times of judgment will be particularly harsh for those with the most helpless dependents [[Luke 21:23]].
* **Innocence and Praise:** The "suckling" is a symbol of innocence. By stating that praise is perfected from such a source, scripture elevates the pure and simple faith of the most humble above the wisdom of the world [[Matthew 21:16]].
* **A Dual Reality:** The word is used to frame the experience of motherhood as both a profound blessing in times of peace and a source of unique suffering in times of trial, showing how circumstances can invert the perception of life's fundamental roles ([[Luke 11:27]], [[Luke 23:29]]).
### Summary
In summary, `{{G2337}}` moves beyond its literal definition to become a potent biblical symbol. It represents the ultimate state of human dependence and the intimate bond of nurture. Through its use in varied contexts, it powerfully illustrates how the foundational experience of caring for an infant can be seen as either a deep blessing or a severe hardship, depending on the spiritual and physical conditions of the time.
TRV