Topical Encyclopedia
Sterility, often referred to as barrenness in biblical terms, is the condition of being unable to produce offspring. This condition is mentioned several times in the Bible, often carrying significant theological and narrative implications. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sterility was often viewed as a source of personal shame and social stigma, as well as a challenge to the fulfillment of God's promises regarding progeny and inheritance.
Old Testament References1.
Sarah: One of the most notable examples of sterility in the Bible is Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Initially barren, Sarah's inability to conceive is a central theme in the narrative of Genesis. Despite her sterility, God promises Abraham that he will be the father of many nations.
Genesis 11:30 states, "Now Sarai was barren; she had no child." Eventually, God intervenes, and Sarah miraculously gives birth to Isaac in her old age (
Genesis 21:1-3).
2.
Rebekah: Like her mother-in-law Sarah, Rebekah also experienced a period of barrenness.
Genesis 25:21 records, "Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived." This highlights the power of prayer and divine intervention in overcoming sterility.
3.
Rachel: Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, also faced sterility. Her struggle with barrenness is poignantly expressed in
Genesis 30:1, "When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she envied her sister. 'Give me children, or I will die!' she said to Jacob." God eventually remembers Rachel, and she bears Joseph (
Genesis 30:22-24).
4.
Hannah: The account of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is another significant account of sterility. Deeply distressed by her inability to conceive, Hannah prays fervently to the Lord.
1 Samuel 1:5-6 notes, "But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the LORD had closed her womb. And her rival would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb." God answers her prayers, and she gives birth to Samuel, who becomes a great prophet (
1 Samuel 1:19-20).
New Testament References1.
Elizabeth: In the New Testament, Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, is described as barren.
Luke 1:7 states, "But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years." Her account parallels those of the Old Testament matriarchs, as God intervenes and she gives birth to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ (
Luke 1:13-17).
Theological ImplicationsSterility in the Bible often serves as a backdrop for demonstrating God's sovereignty and power. It underscores the belief that God is the ultimate giver of life and that His purposes can transcend human limitations. The miraculous births that follow periods of barrenness are seen as acts of divine grace and fulfillment of God's promises.
Furthermore, the narratives of barren women in the Bible often highlight themes of faith, patience, and the importance of prayer. These accounts encourage believers to trust in God's timing and to remain faithful even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Cultural and Social ContextIn biblical times, sterility was not only a personal issue but also a social one. Children were considered a blessing from God and a means of securing one's legacy and inheritance. The inability to bear children could lead to social ostracism and personal despair. However, the biblical accounts consistently reveal God's compassion and intervention, offering hope and redemption to those who suffer from sterility.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The quality or condition of being sterile.
2. (n.) Quality of being sterile; infecundity; also, the state of being free from germs or spores.
Strong's Hebrew
6160. arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley...... From arab (in the sense of
sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix)
the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the
...6152. Arab -- "steppe-dwellers," a country East of Isr.
... Arabia Or marab {ar-ab'}; from arab in the figurative sense ofsterility; Arab
(ie Arabia), a country East of Palestine -- Arabia. see HEBREW arab....
Library
Answer to Objections: Signal Instances of Prayer
... Souls that have long been barren but have become conscious of their intellects'
sterility and the barrenness of their mind, through persevering prayer have...
Biogenesis
... itself. In Bastian's experiments, after every expedient to securesterility,
life did appear inside in myriad quantity. Therefore...
The Manich??an Fictions About Things Good and Evil are not...
... assembly. Ifsterility is an evil, they were prolific in children.... evil? Ifsterility
is not an evil, how can we call a barren animal an evil?...
The Origin of Species.
... Again, thesterility or fertility of crosses seems to bear no relation to the
structural resemblances or differences of the members of any two groups....
The Fig-Tree.
... it seemed to be at a little distance from their path), and finding abundance of
leaves, but no fruit thereon, condemns it to perpetualsterility and barrenness...
And it came to Pass that the Festival of the Dedication was at...
... priests. [1693] This statement does not occur in Scripture in so many words;
butsterility was looked upon as a punishment from God....
Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... they already possess, he reduces them to want, or, at least, restricts them to a
moderate allowance, at one time by exile, at another bysterility, at another...
Athenagoras.
... St. Paul, his preaching on Mars Hill, 125. its apparentsterility, 125. Athenagoras
its trophy, 125. Sibyl, prediction of Christianity, 125, 132....
Preface
... he has come or is at hand of whom it is written, Want shall go before his
face.[104] If I mistake not, Antichrist is he whom famine andsterility of all good...
The Objects of Prayer
... gifts. Greater fruit had been borne by Hannah's soul in being turned from
sterility than was her body in conceiving Samuel. Diviner...
Thesaurus
Sterility (1 Occurrence)... 2. (n.) Quality of being sterile; infecundity; also, the state of being free from
germs or spores. Multi-Version Concordance
Sterility (1 Occurrence).
...Barrenness (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The condition of being barren;sterility;
unproductiveness. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BARREN; BARRENNESS....
Sterile (3 Occurrences)
Sterling (1 Occurrence)
Casteth (54 Occurrences)
... the waters, and casteth there salt, and saith, 'Thus said Jehovah, I have given
healing to these waters; there is not thence any more death andsterility.' (YLT...
Botany
... to make this area productive. The removal of the natural vegetation produces
sterility in two ways. Firstly, whereas the deep roots...
Healing (60 Occurrences)
... the waters, and casteth there salt, and saith, 'Thus said Jehovah, I have given
healing to these waters; there is not thence any more death andsterility.' (YLT...
Resources
How should a Christian view the Roe vs. Wade decision? | GotQuestions.orgSterility: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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