Childless Women in the Bible
In Exodus 23:20-26 and Deuteronomy 7:12-15, God makes a covenant with the Hebrew people. He promises that those who follow Him will not be barren and will not have barren livestock. The Hebrews viewed the inability to have children as a curse and a sign of God's displeasure. The Bible tells the story of various childless women, some of whom remained childless, and others for whom God opened their wombs after specific prayers for children.
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Sarah
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Many Christians, Jews and Arabs know the story of the barrenness of Sarah, who was first known as Sarai. She left Ur with Abraham, then known as Abram, and did not conceive until she was 90 years old. Her barren state caused her to give Abraham use of her servant Hagar to produce the child, Ishmael (Genesis 15:1-16:16). God spoke to Abraham when he was 99 and again promised a son through Sarah. The promise made both Abraham and Sarah laugh. When Sarah conceived and bore a son, they named him Isaac, which means "laughter."
Rachel and Leah
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Rachel and Leah married Abraham's grandson Jacob, and both of them were barren. God intervened with Leah and gave her children because Jacob loved Rachel more. Rachel despaired so much because of her barrenness that she told Jacob to give her children or she would die (Genesis 30:1). Rachel finally conceived after pleading with God, and named her firstborn son Joseph (Genesis 30:24).
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Manoah's Wife
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The Bible never reveals the name of Manoah's wife; we are told only that she was barren and childless and that God granted them a special son who was consecrated to God as a Nazirite. She gave birth to a son and they named him Sampson. God used him to deliver the Jews from the oppressive rule of the Philistines.
Hannah
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Elkanah had two wives: Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah ridiculed Hannah because she was barren. Hannah made a vow to the Lord that if he would give her a son, she would give the child back to him to be a Nazirite all his life. Hannah prayed for a son for many years before God finally opened her womb and she gave birth to Samuel. As she promised, when he was old enough to be weaned she gave him into the care of the High Priest of the Tabernacle, Eli. He became a priest, prophet and judge, helping to lead the Hebrews until after David became king.
Michal
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David married Saul's daughter, Michal. Michal became barren because she scorned David's dancing before the Lord when he recovered the ark of God (I Samuel 6:12-23). The Bible says that her barrenness remained until the day she died, a sign of God's displeasure.
Elizabeth
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The Bible describes Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah and cousin to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as barren. Scripture notes that both Elizabeth and Zachariah were old before God intervened to give them a son, John the Baptist. The angel who appeared to Zachariah in temple told him they would have a child, but Zachariah argued with the angel that they were too old to have a child. He was struck dumb during the entire pregnancy for his lack of faith. He regained his voice only after he named his son in accordance with the instructions of the angel.
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References
- Bible Gateway: Exodus 23:20-26; The Message; Eugene Peterson; 2002
- Bible Gateway: Deuteronomy 12-15; The Message; Eugene Peterson; 2002
- Bible Gateway: Genesis 15 - 18; The Message; Eugene Peterson; 2002
- Bible Gateway: Genesis 29:16 -- 30:24; The Message; Eugene Peterson; 2002
- Bible Gateway: Judges 13; The Message; Eugene Peterson; 2002
- Bible Gateway: 1 Samuel 1; The Message; Eugene Peterson; 2002
Resources
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