Homemaking in the Bible

Have you ever wondered exactly what homemaking in the Bible looked like? Today we will take a look at some of the daily tasks they accomplished.

Women have traditionally invested much of their time in preforming the daily tasks that are necessary for maintaining the family household. Also known as, homemaking. We especially see Proverbs 31 commending homemaking, and the Bible admonishes women to be homemakers in Titus 2:5. It’s no secret that life’s changed just a little bit, and those ladies didn’t have the many conveniences and amenities that we do today. So what exactly did homemaking look like in the Bible? I’m glad you asked.

Household Tasks

• Drawing water (Genesis 24:19&20, 43&44)
• Grinding grain (Isaiah 47:2, Matthew 24:41, Luke 17:35)
• Spinning wool, weaving fabric, making clothing, laundering garments. (Proverbs 31:14, Acts 9:36-42)
• Preparing food (Proverbs 31:15)
• Caring for children (Proverbs 31:21)

You can see how very different, yet very similar, their days looked than ours do now. I don’t know about you, but reading this labor intensive list makes me very thankful for the time we live in. I feel like finding the time in my day to spin wool, weave fabric, and make clothes would be next to impossible. Even with all of our modern amenities.

”And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again until the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.” Genesis 24:19-20

As you know, though, homemaking is more than housekeeping. Homemaking is a mindset, housekeeping is simply doing the chores. Perhaps I’ll do a deep dive post soon explaining the difference between the two, but for now I’ll simply say homemaking is the attitude behind your home. It’s the atmosphere you create, and the values you instill. In essence, not only do we have the household tasks, but as Christians, we have spiritual tasks as well.

Women have always played a vital role in the spiritual nurturing of children. We have a unique role of influence and the responsibility to instruct them…even if they’re grown.

Spiritual Tasks

• Shaping the spiritual values of the children (Deuteronomy 6:7-9, Proverbs 31:21, 2 Timothy 1:3-5)
• Preparing for the Sabbath – filling oil lamps, cooking special foods in advance of the Sabbath, drawing extra water.
• For many generations in Judaism, the wife and mother has prayed for her family altering lighting candles on the Sabbath. Someone would then recite Proverbs 31:10-31 in her home.

You can see, homemaking in the Bible was much more than sweeping the floors and keeping the dishes done. Her days were filled will toil and labor. From drawing the water necessary to keep the house running daily, to grinding grain and preparing every meal her family at from scratch. She had no grocer to depend on, or pizza place if she got in a pinch.
Homemaking in the Bible took great determination and discipline. From running the home to the spiritual well being of her family. Her shoulders carried a lot of weight, and her hands were always at work.

”To be discreet, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Titus 2:5

”Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established. And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4

I hope to do a mini series on homemaking in the future, and thought how better to kick it off than to take a peek into the homemaking tasks of the Bible times.
If you’re interested in reading a little about how to structure your days as a homemaker you can check out this post: How To Create an Old-Fashioned Homemaking Routine. You can also check out the cleaning list I used to streamline the household tasks weekly: My Favorite All Natural Cleaners + Free Printable Cleaning List.

”She looker well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and be praiseth her.” Proverbs 31:27-28

As always, thanks for spending a tiny part of your day with me! I appreciate you.

Here’s an image to pin for later…