In the Bible, several women faced the challenge of infertility. However, their stories often show how God’s plan is bigger than our struggles. Today, we will explore what the Bible says about barren women, how God worked through their lives, and the hope that can be found in their stories.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Barrenness
What Does The Bible Say About Barren Women
Genesis 16:2
And Sarai said to Abram, “The LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.”
This verse highlights the struggle of Sarah, who was barren and sought to have children through her servant, Hagar. It portrays the deep desire that many barren women have for motherhood and the lengths they may go to overcome their barrenness.
It also demonstrates the lack of faith in God’s timing and plan, as Sarah took matters into her own hands instead of trusting in the Lord. This verse serves as a reminder that even in our moments of desperation, it is important to trust in God’s sovereignty and timing.
Genesis 18:10
The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.”
In this verse, God promises Abraham and Sarah that despite their old age and Sarah’s barrenness, she will conceive and bear a son. It showcases God’s power to do the impossible and fulfill His promises, even in seemingly hopeless situations.
This verse offers hope to all barren women, assuring them that God is able to bring forth life where there was none before. It encourages them to trust in God’s timing and His ability to work miracles in their lives.
Genesis 25:21
And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
This verse portrays the anguish Isaac and Rebekah faced when they discovered Rebekah was barren. It shows their reliance on prayer and their faith in God’s ability to overcome infertility.
It emphasizes the power of prayer in the lives of barren women, reminding them that God can intervene and bring about conception. It encourages them to persevere in prayer, seeking God’s favor and trusting in His faithfulness.
1 Samuel 1:5
But to Hannah, he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb.
This verse introduces Hannah, who was barren. It highlights the pain Hannah experienced as the Lord had closed her womb. It serves as a reminder that sometimes infertility is part of God’s greater plan, as was the case with Hannah who later conceived Samuel.
This verse also demonstrates that God’s love for us is not dependent on our ability to conceive or bear children. It reassures and comforts barren women that they are valuable and loved by God, irrespective of their fertility status.
1 Samuel 1:6
And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her because the LORD had closed her womb.
This verse sheds light on the social and emotional challenges faced by barren women. It reveals the insensitive and hurtful actions of Peninnah, Hannah’s rival, who took pleasure in provoking and taunting Hannah because of her barrenness.
This verse serves as a reminder that barren women often face ridicule and emotional pain from others who do not understand their struggles. It encourages empathy and compassion towards those who are experiencing infertility, urging others to be mindful of their words and actions.
1 Samuel 1:20
And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the LORD.”
This verse celebrates Hannah’s answered prayer and the miracle of conception in her life. After years of being barren, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, Samuel. It showcases God’s faithfulness in granting the desires of Hannah’s heart.
It encourages barren women to continue praying and seeking God’s intervention in their lives, knowing that in due time, God can bring about the miracle of conception. This verse instills hope and reinforces the power of persistent prayer.
Psalm 113:9
He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!
This verse proclaims God’s ability to transform the lives of barren women, granting them the blessing of children. It portrays the barren woman’s journey from longing and heartache to becoming a joyful mother.
It serves as an encouragement to all barren women, assuring them that God can bring about a change in their circumstances and fill their homes with the laughter and joy of children. This verse inspires praise and gratitude towards the Lord for His miraculous works.
Isaiah 54:1
“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the LORD.
This verse calls upon the barren women to rejoice and sing, even in their state of barrenness. It assures them that their future will be filled with more children than those who have already borne children.
It invites barren women to shift their focus from their present circumstances to the promises of God. It encourages them to find joy and hope in the anticipation of God’s blessings, knowing that He has a plan to multiply their posterity.
Luke 1:7
But they had no child because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
This verse introduces Elizabeth and Zachariah, who like many other couples in the Bible, faced the challenge of barrenness. It highlights their longing for a child and the barriers they faced due to their advanced age.
It serves as a reminder that fertility challenges can affect any couple, regardless of their righteousness or faith. It encourages barren women and their partners to seek solace in the fact that they are not alone in their struggles.
Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”
In this verse, the angel Gabriel assures Zechariah that his prayers have been heard and that Elizabeth will conceive and bear a son. It showcases God’s ability to answer prayers and fulfill His promises, even in the face of infertility.
It encourages barren couples to continue praying and trusting in God’s faithfulness, knowing that He has the power to bring forth new life. This verse instills hope and reminds us that nothing is impossible for God.
Luke 1:24
After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
This verse highlights Elizabeth’s joy and gratitude upon conceiving a child. It emphasizes the removal of her reproach and the restoration of her honor among her people.
It offers hope to barren women by showcasing the transformative power of God’s blessings and how they can change the way others perceive them. It reminds barren women that God’s blessings go beyond the gift of a child and can bring restoration and healing to their lives.
Luke 1:36
And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
This verse references Elizabeth’s conception in her old age and highlights the miraculous nature of her pregnancy. It serves as a reminder that with God, nothing is impossible.
It encourages barren women, regardless of their age, to hold onto faith and hope, knowing that God can bring about conception even when it seems highly unlikely. This verse instills confidence in God’s power to do the extraordinary and emphasizes His ability to rewrite one’s story.
Luke 23:29
For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’
In this verse, Jesus speaks of a future time when the barren will be considered blessed. It challenges society’s perception of fertility as the ultimate blessing and recognizes the worth and value of barren women.
It offers comfort and encouragement to barren women, assuring them that their worth is not defined by their ability to conceive or bear children. It redirects focus onto the spiritual blessings that are available to all, regardless of fertility status.
Romans 4:19
He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.
This verse refers to Abraham’s faith in God’s promise of descendants, despite his own advanced age and Sarah’s barrenness. It showcases the strength of Abraham’s faith and his unwavering belief in God’s ability to fulfill His promises.
It serves as an example to barren individuals and couples, urging them to trust in God’s faithfulness and hold onto hope even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This verse teaches that true faith believes in God’s power to bring life out of barrenness.
Galatians 4:27
For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.”
This verse quotes from Isaiah and reinforces the message of rejoicing in barrenness. It reminds barren women that God can bring forth an abundant harvest from their lives, just as He promised in the book of Isaiah.
It encourages barren women to find joy in their present circumstances, knowing that God can use their barrenness as a platform for His mighty works. This verse instills hope and a renewed sense of purpose in the hearts of those struggling with infertility.
Hebrews 11:11
By faith, Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
This verse highlights Sarah’s faith in God’s promise of a child, despite her advanced age and barrenness. It emphasizes Sarah’s trust in God’s faithfulness and her belief that God could surpass the limitations of her circumstances.
It encourages barren women to have unwavering faith in God, knowing that He can overcome any obstacle and fulfill His promises. This verse teaches the importance of trusting in God’s character and His ability to bring about the impossible.
Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
This verse establishes the biblical perspective on children as a blessing and a gift from the Lord. It reassures barren women that God has the power to grant them this precious gift if it aligns with His divine plan.
It encourages barren women to view their desire for children as a reflection of God’s good design and to remain hopeful in His perfect timing. This verse instills gratitude and an appreciation for the sanctity of parenthood.
Job 22:9
“You sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless were crushed.”
This verse speaks about the sorrow experienced by those who are left empty-handed and without heirs. It acknowledges the pain of being childless or without a family legacy.
While not specifically focused on barren women, it reminds us of the emotional turmoil that can accompany infertility. It encourages empathy and compassion towards individuals and couples who yearn for children but are unable to conceive.
Job 31:15
Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?
This verse reaffirms the sanctity of life and acknowledges God as the creator of every human being. It reminds us that our worth is not determined by our ability to bear children, but rather by our shared origin in the womb.
It encourages barren women to find identity and purpose beyond their fertility, recognizing that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. This verse reminds us of the value of every individual, regardless of their reproductive capabilities.
Psalm 113:7-9
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!
This verse celebrates God’s acts of mercy and provision. It speaks of God’s power to lift the needy and transform their lives, including the barren woman, whom He blesses with children.
It offers comfort and hope to barren women, reminding them that God can lift them out of despair and bring about a radical transformation in their lives. This verse inspires praise and gratitude towards the Lord for His loving-kindness and the miracles He performs.
Jeremiah 31:15
Thus says the LORD: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”
This verse refers to the mourning of Rachel, who weeps for her lost children. Although not directly related to barrenness, it recognizes the pain and heartache experienced by women who long for children.
It serves as a reminder that the desire for motherhood is deeply ingrained in the hearts of women, and the inability to have children can be a source of immense grief. This verse encourages empathy and compassion towards those who are barren or have lost children.
Isaiah 54:4-5
“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.”
This verse offers comfort and encouragement to barren women who may feel ashamed or disgraced. It assures them that their identity and worth extend beyond their fertility status and that God is their ultimate provider and caretaker.
It redirects their focus from societal expectations to a deeper understanding of their spiritual connection with God. This verse instills a sense of belonging and purpose in the hearts of barren women, reminding them that they are cherished and redeemed by the Lord.
Isaiah 66:9
Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth? says the LORD; shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb? says your God.
This verse emphasizes God’s ability to bring forth new life and questions whether He would open the womb but not allow a child to be born. It reaffirms God’s sovereignty over fertility and conception.
It serves as a reminder to barren women that their struggle with infertility is not outside of God’s control. It encourages them to place their trust in Him, knowing that He is the one ultimately responsible for granting the gift of children.
Matthew 19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
This verse speaks to the limitless power and ability of God. It assures us that what may seem impossible from a human perspective is entirely achievable through God’s divine intervention.
It offers hope to barren women, reminding them that their desire for children is not beyond God’s reach. This verse encourages them to have faith and trust in God’s ability to make the impossible possible.
Luke 18:27
But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
This verse echoes the previous verse and further emphasizes the notion that what seems impossible to humans can be made possible through God’s intervention.
It reaffirms the hope of barren women, assuring them that God can bring about the miracle of conception in their lives, even in the face of infertility. This verse inspires faith and trust in God’s power to overcome any obstacle.
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
This verse declares that every good and perfect gift comes from God and emphasizes His unchanging nature. It reassures barren women that both conception and motherhood are good and perfect gifts from God.
It encourages them to seek God’s will and trust in His timing, knowing that He will provide according to His perfect plan. This verse instills gratitude for the gifts of motherhood and children, reminding us to give thanks to the Father of lights.