Instead of referring to children as “children,” the Bible often refers to them as “sons and daughters.” In the Old Testament genealogies, daughters are mentioned infrequently compared to sons, because the family line, with its blessings and cursings, was carried on through the male. But in most other places, sons and daughters are mentioned together when children are referenced.
A common metaphorical phrase in the Old Testament is daughters of Zion or daughters of Jerusalem, which refers to Israel in general and the loving, patient relationship God has with His chosen people. Jesus uses the same phrase in Luke 23:28. Daughter in the context of the metaphor daughter of Jerusalem implies that God is a loving Father to His people.
Women in many cultures were considered the guardians of family life and the home. Isaiah paints a poignant picture of how women and families are affected during a time of destruction or judgment: “Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab at the fords of the Arnon”. Since women are the source of a people’s continuance and the key to fertility, a specific reference to the daughters of a society suffering judgment carries a connotation of loss of life and heightens the feeling of danger.
The daughters of Philip were gifted prophets in the New Testament. Joel 2:28–32 prophesies that “Your sons and daughters will prophesy” were fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost when the Spirit was poured forth on all Christians. During those days, I will pour out my Spirit on both male and female slaves, and they will prophesy. The Holy Spirit uses both men and women as vehicles for His work.
Like the term sons, the word daughters is occasionally used figuratively in Scripture to describe those who have a quality of character or a spiritual trait that they style themselves after. For example, in 1 Peter 3:6, wives who obey their husbands are referred to as Sarah’s “daughters” because they are imitating Sarah, who obeyed her husband, Abraham.
The Lord wants us, both men and women, to approach Him as our Father. Just as loving daughters respect and honor their earthly fathers with pure conduct and joyful, thankful hearts, so God’s spiritual daughters honor Him. God’s daughters, along with their brothers, are God’s temple and His home.