Dictionary of Bible Themes A lack of fertility, especially the inability of a woman to conceive. Jeremiah 2:6Barren land See also Barrenness describes waste and unproductive land Deuteronomy 32:10Joel 2:20 Genesis 3:18 Barren land as a sign of God's disfavour See also Hosea 10:8Thorns and thistles are often used to designate barren or unproductive land. Hebrews 6:8Exodus 23:25-26 Fertility, as opposed to barrenness, a sign of God's blessing See also Deuteronomy 7:13-14; 11:14-15Consequently, the inability to conceive was regarded as a sign of God's displeasure. Psalms 113:9Isaiah 41:18 Isaiah 54:1 Galatians 4:27 God's end-time blessings: Genesis 30:1-2The barren woman See also Her desire for children Proverbs 30:16Genesis 16:1 Examples of barren women Genesis 29:31Sarah Judges 13:3Rachel 1 Samuel 2:5Manoah's wife Luke 1:7Hannah Luke 1:36-37Elizabeth Genesis 16:1-4; 20:17-18; 29:31-34The ability to bear a child in these circumstances, especially in old age, was seen as a sign of God's blessing and his miraculous power. 1 Samuel 1:1-20Barrenness was sometimes seen as a sign of God's disfavour Isaiah 4:1Luke 1:5-25 Deuteronomy 28:41 Childlessness was not always the result of barrenness Luke 23:29Barrenness might be an advantage in some circumstances Referring to the disasters about to come upon Jerusalem. Hebrews 6:7-8Metaphorically, barrenness may describe an unproductive or desperate condition See also Job 3:7Luke 13:6-9 See also 4206 land5199 womb 5664 children 5680 family 5734 relationships 5836 disgrace 8846 ungodliness |
    |