Bible Dictionary

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Barren

Agriculture & Daily Life • Both
Barrenness refers especially to a woman’s inability to bear children, which was regarded in biblical society as a serious affliction. Several important biblical births occurred after a period of barrenness.
Biblical Usage
Scripture records barrenness in the families of several important figures and also records births following such barrenness. The supplied references include the mothers of Isaac, Jacob’s children, Samson, and John the Baptist.
Scripture References
Genesis 16:2 Genesis 30:1-23 1 Samuel 1:6 1 Samuel 1:27 Isaiah 47:9 Isaiah 49:21 Luke 1:25 Genesis 11:30 Genesis 25:21 Genesis 29:31 Judges 13:2 Judges 13:3 Luke 1:7 Luke 1:36