Strong’s Greek 4723 designates a woman who is unable to bear children. In Scripture, physical barrenness becomes a lens through which God unveils His power to give life, the faith required to receive His promises, and the sobering reality of coming judgment.

Occurrences in the New Testament

• Luke 1:7 – Elizabeth, though “barren,” becomes the mother of John the Baptist, showcasing divine intervention.
• Luke 1:36 – Gabriel reminds Mary that “she who was called barren is in her sixth month,” reinforcing that nothing is impossible with God.
• Luke 23:29 – Jesus foresees days when people will call the barren “blessed,” reversing the normal cultural value system in light of impending catastrophe.
• Galatians 4:27 – Paul quotes Isaiah 54 to contrast the barren woman (representing the Jerusalem above) with the fertile but enslaved woman (present Jerusalem).
• Hebrews 11:11 – Sarah’s barrenness highlights faith in God’s promise; she “received power to conceive even when she was past the proper age.”

Old Testament and Jewish Background

Barrenness is a recurring theme in the lives of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Manoah’s wife, and Hannah. Each narrative ends with God granting a miraculous birth, foreshadowing greater redemptive acts. Isaiah 54:1 turns barrenness into a metaphor of hope for Zion’s future restoration, forming the springboard for Paul’s allegory in Galatians.

Doctrinal and Theological Themes

1. Divine Sovereignty over Life – Every womb opens or closes at God’s command (Genesis 20:18; 30:22).
2. Faith and Promise – Barrenness amplifies the call to believe when circumstances contradict the promise (Romans 4:18-21).
3. Reversal and Redemption – God delights to overturn human inability, transforming shame into joy (1 Samuel 2:5).
4. Eschatological Judgment – Luke 23:29 warns that conditions will grow so dire that the normal blessing of fertility will be viewed as a liability.
5. Freedom versus Bondage – In Galatians, the “barren” free woman becomes the mother of multitudes, stressing grace over law.

Christ and the Gospel

The birth of John the Baptist to Elizabeth parallels Isaac’s birth to Sarah, linking the dawning of the new covenant to earlier covenant promises. Both births point forward to Jesus, whose own miraculous conception surpasses them all. Barrenness thus frames the advent of the Messiah and the inauguration of salvation history.

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

• Encouragement for the Childless – God sees, cares, and can act beyond natural limitations; yet spiritual fruitfulness is never hindered by physical barrenness.
• Call to Faith – Congregations are urged to trust God’s promises even when visible prospects appear dead.
• Perspective on Suffering – Unfulfilled longings, like Elizabeth’s years of waiting, become platforms for God to display His glory in His timing.
• Warning against Superficial Values – Luke 23:29 teaches believers to evaluate blessing and sorrow through an eternal lens rather than cultural assumptions.

Related Terms and Concepts

Isaiah 54; Genesis 15-21; 1 Samuel 1-2; Psalm 113:9; Romans 4; Galatians 3-4; Hebrews 11.