In the biblical context, the state of being childless is a significant theme that appears throughout the Scriptures. It is often portrayed as a source of deep personal anguish and social stigma, yet it also serves as a backdrop for divine intervention and the unfolding of God's purposes.

Old Testament Context

In ancient Israelite society, children were considered a blessing from the Lord, and the absence of children was often viewed as a misfortune or even a divine judgment. The cultural and religious importance of progeny is evident in numerous biblical narratives.

One of the most poignant accounts of childlessness is that of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Despite God's promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations, Sarah remained barren for many years. Genesis 11:30 states, "But Sarai was barren; she had no child." Her eventual conception of Isaac, as recorded in Genesis 21:1-2, is a testament to God's faithfulness and power: "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him."

Similarly, Rebekah, the wife of Isaac, experienced a period of barrenness before the birth of Esau and Jacob. Genesis 25:21 recounts, "Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived."

Hannah, another notable figure, was deeply distressed by her inability to bear children. Her account is found in 1 Samuel 1, where she fervently prays for a son, promising to dedicate him to the Lord. The Lord answers her prayer, and she gives birth to Samuel, who becomes a significant prophet in Israel.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the theme of childlessness is less prominent but still present. Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, is described as being barren in Luke 1:7: "But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both of them were well along in years." Her miraculous conception of John the Baptist is a pivotal event, heralding the coming of the Messiah.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the narratives of childlessness in the Bible often highlight themes of faith, patience, and divine sovereignty. The accounts of Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah, and Elizabeth demonstrate that God's plans and timing are perfect, even when human understanding is limited. These accounts encourage believers to trust in God's promises and His ability to bring about His purposes in unexpected ways.

Cultural and Social Considerations

In biblical times, childlessness could lead to social ostracism and personal despair. Women, in particular, faced significant pressure to bear children, as offspring were seen as a means of securing family lineage and inheritance. The Bible acknowledges these cultural realities while also affirming the dignity and worth of individuals regardless of their ability to have children.

Spiritual Lessons

The accounts of childless individuals in the Bible serve as powerful reminders of God's compassion and intervention. They illustrate that God hears the cries of the afflicted and is capable of transforming situations of hopelessness into testimonies of His grace and power. These narratives encourage believers to remain steadfast in prayer and to trust in God's ultimate plan for their lives.815. ateknos -- childless
... ateknos. 816 . childless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ateknos Phonetic
Spelling: (at'-ek-nos) Short Definition: childless Definition: childless ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/815.htm - 6k7909a. shakul -- childless
... childless. Transliteration: shakul Short Definition: children. Word Origin from
shakol Definition childless NASB Word Usage bereaved of my children (1). ...
/hebrew/7909a.htm - 5k

7909. shakkuwl -- childless
... shakkuwl. 7909a . childless. Transliteration: shakkuwl Phonetic Spelling:
(shak-kool') Short Definition: barren. barren, bereaved robbed of children whelps ...
/hebrew/7909.htm - 5k

6185. ariri -- stripped
... 6184, 6185. ariri. 6186 . stripped. Transliteration: ariri Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-e-ree') Short Definition: childless. ... childless. ...
/hebrew/6185.htm - 6k

7921. shakol -- to be bereaved
... of children (1), bereaved (2), bereaved me of my children (1), bereaved of my children
(1), bereaved your of children (1), cast (1), childless (1), depopulated ...
/hebrew/7921.htm - 6k

7909b. shakul -- bereaved, robbed of offspring
... Word Origin from shakol Definition bereaved, robbed of offspring NASB Word Usage
childless (1), lost her young (2), robbed of her cubs (3). 7909a, 7909b. ...
/hebrew/7909b.htm - 5k

Amendment of the Law in Force Respecting Childless Persons, and of ...
... Book IV. Chapter XXVI."Amendment of the Law in Force respecting Childless
Persons, and of the Law of Wills. So numerous, indeed ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxvi amendment of the law.htm

Constantine Enacts a Law in Favor of Celibates and of the Clergy.
... in this law, it was specified that those who were not the very nearest kinsmen could
gain nothing from a will; and also, that those who were childless were to ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter ix constantine enacts a law.htm

The Alleged Discrepancy in the Gospels in Regard to the Genealogy ...
... nature by the succession of legitimate offspring, and according to law whenever
another raised up a child to the name of a brother dying childless; [110] for ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vii the alleged discrepancy in.htm

Chapter xv
... the rest of the chapter shows beyond the possibility of doubt that such a fear is
by no means under consideration, but the fear of remaining childless is what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xv.htm

Chapter xliii
... other brother and Benjamin. But as for me, as I was childless, so have I
become childless again. Throughout this entire discussion ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xliii.htm

Herod the Tetrarch Makes War with Aretas, the King of Arabia, and ...
... tetrarch of Galilee; but her daughter Salome was married to Philip, the son of Herod,
and tetrarch of Trachonitis; and as he died childless, Aristobulus, the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 herod the tetrarch.htm

From Patriarchal, Tertullian Comes to Legal, Precedents.
... Necessary it was that there should be a succession to the marriage of a brother
if he died childless: first, because that ancient benediction, "Grow and ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter vii from patriarchal tertullian comes.htm

Writing ii. For Whereas in Israel the Names of their Generations ...
... by the succession of legitimate offspring, and according to law whenever another
raised up children to the name of a brother dying childless; for because no ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/writing ii for whereas in.htm

An Anonymous Sermon, Commonly Called Clement's Second Letter to ...
... 2 "Rejoice, you who are barren and childless; cry out and shout, you who were never
in labor; for the desolate woman has many more children than the one with ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/an anonymous sermon commonly called 2.htm

The Question as to the Resurrection. Ch. 20:27-40
... is no resurrection; 28 and they asked him saying, Teacher, Moses wrote unto us,
that if a man's brother die, having a wife, and he be childless, his brother ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/e the question as to.htm

Childless (25 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Childless (25 Occurrences). ... The eldest of them married,
but died childless, leaving his wife to his brother. (WEY). ...
/c/childless.htm - 13k

Bereaver (1 Occurrence)
... children. The Hebrew word used here is shakhol, "to be childless," or in
the Piel "to make childless" (compare Genesis 42:36 et al.). ...
/b/bereaver.htm - 8k

Bereave (10 Occurrences)
... children. The Hebrew word used here is shakhol, "to be childless," or in
the Piel "to make childless" (compare Genesis 42:36 et al.). ...
/b/bereave.htm - 11k

Bereft (9 Occurrences)
... children. The Hebrew word used here is shakhol, "to be childless," or in
the Piel "to make childless" (compare Genesis 42:36 et al.). ...
/b/bereft.htm - 10k

Zerubbabel (25 Occurrences)
... that Shealtiel had no children and adopted Zerubbabel; or that Zerubbabel was his
levirate son; or that, Shealtiel being childless, Zerubbabel succeeded to the ...
/z/zerubbabel.htm - 20k

Uncovered (78 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 20:20 If a man lies with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered his uncle's
nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. ...
/u/uncovered.htm - 32k

Dishonored (17 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Leviticus 20:20 If a man lies with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered
his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. ...
/d/dishonored.htm - 11k

Michal (18 Occurrences)
... royal dignity (1 Chronicles 15:29). She remained childless, and thus the
races of David and Saul were not mixed. In 2 Samuel 21:8 ...
/m/michal.htm - 16k

Children
... If the wife proved childless, other wife or wives might be added to the family
(Genesis 16 f). Further, each Jewish mother, at least in later times, hoped that ...
/c/children.htm - 62k

Child (355 Occurrences)
... If the wife proved childless, other wife or wives might be added to the family
(Genesis 16 f). Further, each Jewish mother, at least in later times, hoped that ...
/c/child.htm - 51k

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