[Greek] στεῖρα (steira), [Latin] sterilis: barren, infertility, barren woman, barrenness; Lk.1:7, Lk.1:36, Lk.23:29, Gal.4:27, Heb. 11:11
The Old Testament understanding of the barren womb is likened to hard ground.
Background Information:
Old Testament: This Greek term is related to the Hebrew aqar, which means to uproot. This Hebrew term appears in the context of agriculture with the phrase “a time to plant and a time to uproot.” Women’s wombs were likened to an agricultural field. Barrenness is due to the seeds and seedlings being uprooted. Interestingly, in Old Testament vernacular, women become pregnant through the man’s “seed”. In a sense, the barren womb becomes like hard ground. Sarai was barren; she had no child (Gen.11:30). Isaac entreated the Lord on behalf of his wife, since she was sterile (Gen. 25:21). When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He made her fruitful, while Rachel was barren (Gen.29:31). An angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, ‘Though you are barren and have no children, you will conceive and bear a son.’” Jgs. 13:3). But he would give a double portion to Hannah because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb (1Sam. 1:5).
New Testament: This term refers to barrenness and infertility in a variety of different senses and meanings. Elizabeth, an older woman, was barren for many years. However, through God’s actions, Elizabeth gives birth to John. Scripture makes references to Sarai being barren. In other contexts, scripture points out that barrenness may provide a blessing. In addition, Paul mentions that the barren person will receive numerous children.
Scripture:
“But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.”
The later removal of this barrenness will signify God’s grace. Luke’s readers make reference to the Old Testament in which God would bless the barren woman with a son who would be called to fulfill a divine task.
“For indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and breasts that never nursed.’” Lk. 23:29
This points to the Jewish eschatological blessing for the eunuch (Isa. 56:3-5). This also speaks to Paul’s belief that being single is more preferable in promoting the gospel. Other interpretations hold that the coming future will be so devastating that childless women will be better off than those who women have children.
“Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children; break forth and shout, you who were not in labor; for numerous are the children of the deserted on that of her who has a husband.” Gal. 4:27
At first glance, this appears to be a counterintuitive scripture passage. Ordinarily, a barren woman does not consider herself to be blessed. This just does not make much sense. Paul makes reference to Isa. 54:1 which compares Israel to a barren person who unexpectedly receives numerous children. This Old Testament blessing of barrenness has an important theological significance in the New Testament.
Conclusion:
Sterility, sterile
It was interesting to discover how a woman’s womb is like a field. Knowing this, it makes sense that fertility is associated with fruitfulness. And barrenness becomes related to sterility. In other words, it is often hard for some woman to bear children. Then the idea of man’s seed becomes much clearer. This backstory of barrenness and seeds helps to provide some background and context to the parable of the sower (Mt. 13:18-23). Seed sown on hard and rocky ground cannot take root.
It does sound strange how a barren person can receive numerous children. When one thinks about it, it does make sense. A priest, who is single, has many spiritual children in his congregation. The sister (nun), in a teaching ministry, often has many spiritual children. This post also hits close to home for me. I have a lay single vocation. For many years, I have also been given an opportunity in my ministry to teach (catechize) many teenagers. When I was teaching high school RE classes, I was often asked, “What are you teaching your kids today?”
Interestingly, this term is related to stereo, which means strong or firm. Stereo music, because its unique sound properties, produces a deep, firm sound. A stereotype is often sometimes “hard” or difficult to overcome