What does the Bible say about barren?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible portrays barrenness as a painful human sorrow that God sees, yet also as an occasion for his sovereign mercy, faithfulness, and power to bring life where none seems possible. Genesis 25:21 records Isaac’s prayer for Rebekah, and the Lord answered, showing that children are received as God’s gift rather than human achievement. Psalm 113:9 praises God for giving the barren woman a home and making her a joyful mother. Isaiah 54:1 and Galatians 4:27 also use barrenness as an image of God’s grace creating a fruitful covenant people. Yet Luke 23:29 reminds us that childlessness can also be viewed amid grievous judgment. In Christ, every believer belongs to God’s fruitful family, whatever earthly circumstances remain.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Luke 23:29
For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.'
- 1 Timothy 2:15
but she will be saved through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety.
- Genesis 25:21
Isaac entreated Yahweh for his wife, because she was barren. Yahweh was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
- Psalms 113:9
He settles the barren woman in her home, As a joyful mother of children. Praise Yah!
- Galatians 4:27
For it is written, "Rejoice, you barren who don't bear. Break forth and shout, you that don't travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband."
- Isaiah 54:1
Sing, barren, you who didn't bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who did not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, says Yahweh.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about barren and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about barren