The Bible doesn’t specifically address the idea of breastfeeding between spouses, as it’s a very personal and modern topic. However, Scripture does talk about the importance of intimacy, care, and love within marriage. In ancient times, breastfeeding was viewed as a natural and nourishing act. Let’s explore how biblical principles about marital intimacy and care can guide couples in their relationships, including navigating more intimate, personal decisions together.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Toxic Marriages
What Does The Bible Say About Breastfeeding Your Husband
Song of Solomon 7:8
“I said, ‘I will climb the palm tree and take hold of its fruit.’ May your breasts be like clusters of grapes on the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples.”
This verse from the Song of Solomon is a poetic expression of love and desire between a husband and wife. It celebrates the physical intimacy and attraction that exists within a marriage relationship.
While this verse does not explicitly mention breastfeeding, it emphasizes the beauty and desirability of a woman’s breasts within the context of a loving and intimate relationship.
Proverbs 5:19
“A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”
This verse highlights the importance of sexual satisfaction within a marital relationship. It encourages husbands to find delight and contentment in their wives’ physical attributes, including their breasts.
While this verse is not specifically referring to breastfeeding, it implies that a husband should be satisfied and fulfilled by his wife’s love and physical affection.
Genesis 49:25
“By the God of your father who will help you, by the Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb.”
In this verse, Jacob is blessing his son Joseph and invoking God’s blessings upon him. The reference to “blessings of the breasts” symbolizes the nourishment and sustenance that comes from a mother’s milk.
While this verse does not directly address the act of breastfeeding a husband, it highlights the significance of breasts as a source of nourishment and life-giving provision.
Isaiah 66:11
“For you shall be nursed and be satisfied at her comforting breasts, that you may nurse and be satisfied with her comforting bosom.”
In this passage, Isaiah uses imagery to illustrate God’s abundant provision and care for His people. The reference to nursing and being satisfied with comforting breasts emphasizes the idea of being nourished and comforted.
While this verse does not specifically mention the act of breastfeeding a husband, it symbolizes the idea of finding comfort, fulfillment, and nourishment in the loving care of a woman.
Proverbs 5:18-19
“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.”
This passage in Proverbs encourages husbands to find joy, pleasure, and fulfillment in the physical and emotional intimacy shared with their wives. The imagery of a fountain and the reference to a wife’s breasts portray the idea of abundant satisfaction.
While this verse does not specifically address the act of breastfeeding within marriage, it emphasizes the importance of finding delight and satisfaction in the love and intimacy between a husband and wife.
Joel 3:18
“And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD and water the Valley of Shittim.”
This verse from the book of Joel speaks of a future time of abundance and blessing when the land will overflow with milk and water. It symbolizes the provision and fertility that God will bestow upon His people.
Though not directly addressing the topic of breastfeeding within marriage, this verse showcases the imagery of milk as a sign of abundance, nourishment, and divine provision.
Psalm 22:9-10
“Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.”
In this passage, the psalmist reflects on God’s faithfulness and care since infancy. The reference to trusting God at the mother’s breasts symbolizes earliest dependence and sustenance.
While this verse does not directly address the act of breastfeeding a husband, it underscores the significance of breastfeeding as a means of sustenance and an expression of trust and dependence.
Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
In this verse, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah to assure His people of His unwavering love and care. The metaphor of a mother not forgetting her nursing child illustrates the depth of God’s compassion.
While this verse does not specifically address breastfeeding within marriage, it emphasizes the natural bond between a mother and her nursing child, highlighting the tenderness and care that breastfeeding represents.
Psalm 8:2
“Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.”
This verse acknowledges the power and praise that can come from even the smallest and most vulnerable among us. It recognizes the potential influence of infants and emphasizes their significance in God’s plans.
While this verse does not directly mention breastfeeding within marriage, it indirectly honors the connection between a nursing mother and her child, highlighting the importance of nurturing and protecting the vulnerable.
Lamentations 2:11
“My eyes are spent with weeping; my stomach churns; my bile is poured out to the ground because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, because infants and babies faint in the streets of the city.”
In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah laments the suffering and hardship of his people. The mention of infants and babies fainting highlights the dire circumstances and devastating consequences of the destruction.
While this verse does not directly relate to breastfeeding within marriage, it underscores the vulnerability and dependence of infants, emphasizing the importance of care and support in ensuring their well-being.
Luke 11:27
“As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!'”
In this passage, a woman in the crowd voices her admiration and blessing upon the mother of Jesus. She highlights the honor and privilege of being the one who nurtured and nourished the Son of God.
While this verse does not directly address breastfeeding within marriage, it recognizes the significance of a mother’s care, including the act of breastfeeding, in the life of Jesus.
Psalm 131:2
“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
This verse in the Psalms illustrates a state of inner peace, calmness, and contentment. The comparison to a weaned child with its mother emphasizes a sense of trust, security, and emotional satisfaction.
While this verse does not directly mention breastfeeding within marriage, it symbolizes the close bond between a child and its mother and the tranquility that can come from being nourished and comforted.
Exodus 2:7-9
“Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?’ And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Go.’ So the girl went and called the child’s mother. And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.’ So the woman took the child and nursed him.”
In this story, Moses, a Hebrew child, is rescued and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. Moses’ sister arranges for their mother to nurse the child as a means to provide care and sustenance.
This passage illustrates the importance of breastfeeding as a physical and emotional connection between a mother and her child, highlighting the significance of nurturing and nourishment.
Psalm 127:3
“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.”
This verse in Psalms acknowledges children as a gift and blessing from God. It recognizes the importance of parents’ role in raising and nurturing their children.
While this verse does not specifically address breastfeeding within marriage, it signifies the value and significance of the mother’s role in providing nourishment and care for her children.
Matthew 21:16
“and they said to him, ‘Do you hear what these are saying?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read, “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise”?'”
In this passage, Jesus refers to a verse from Psalm 8:2 to address the Pharisees’ criticism of the children praising Him. He affirms the significance and validity of the praises offered by these young ones.
While this verse does not specifically mention breastfeeding within marriage, it recognizes the special position and value of children, even those who are still nursing, in acknowledging and glorifying God.
Isaiah 28:9
“To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?”
In this verse, the prophet Isaiah raises the question of who can receive and understand God’s teachings. The reference to being weaned from milk symbolizes maturity and the ability to comprehend deeper knowledge.
While this verse does not directly address breastfeeding within marriage, it metaphorically conveys the importance of spiritual growth and maturity beyond infancy.
Numbers 11:12
“Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,’ to the land that you swore to give their fathers?”
In this passage, Moses questions God’s expectation of him carrying the burden of the Israelites like a nursing child. He recognizes the immense responsibility and demands placed upon him.
While this verse does not specifically address breastfeeding within marriage, it highlights the care, nurture, and responsibility associated with the act of carrying and raising a nursing child.
1 Peter 2:2
“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”
In this verse, the apostle Peter compares newborn infants’ longing for milk to the believers’ desire for spiritual nourishment. He encourages them to pursue spiritual growth and maturity.
While this verse does not directly mention breastfeeding within marriage, it metaphorically expresses the importance of seeking spiritual sustenance and nourishment for personal growth.
Deuteronomy 32:13-14
“He made him ride on the high places of the land and fed him with the produce of the field, and he suckled him with honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock. Curds from the herd and milk from the flock, with fat of lambs, rams of Bashan and goats, with the very finest of the wheat— and you drank foaming wine made from the blood of the grape.”
In this poetic passage, Moses recounts God’s provision and blessings upon His people. The mention of suckling with honey and drinking milk symbolizes the abundance and richness of God’s provision.
While this verse does not directly address breastfeeding within marriage, it illustrates the imagery of nourishment, satisfaction, and the abundance of God’s blessings.
Hosea 1:8
“When she had weaned No Mercy, she conceived and bore a son.”
In this verse, the prophet Hosea uses the names of his children as symbols of the Lord’s judgment and mercy towards Israel. The act of weaning symbolizes a transition to a new stage.
While this verse does not directly relate to breastfeeding within marriage, it implies the significance of the weaning process in a child’s growth and development.
Psalm 131:3
“O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.”
This verse from the Psalms concludes a passage that speaks of finding calmness and contentment in God’s presence. The exhortation to hope in the Lord emphasizes a trustful and confident outlook.
While this verse does not specifically address breastfeeding within marriage, it serves as a reminder to place one’s hope and trust in God, seeking His comfort and sustenance.
Luke 23:29
“For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'”
In this passage, Jesus is speaking to the women lamenting His impending crucifixion. He prophesies about the challenging times to come and the sorrow that will befall them.
While this verse does not directly mention breastfeeding within marriage, it uses the symbolism of barrenness and lack of nursing as a sign of blessedness in the face of future hardships.
Mark 13:17
“And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!”
In this passage, Jesus speaks about the tribulations that will occur before His return. He conveys a sense of urgency and challenges faced by pregnant and nursing mothers during such times.
While this verse does not specifically address breastfeeding within marriage, it acknowledges the difficulties and vulnerabilities faced by pregnant and nursing women in times of distress.