the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Encyclopedias
Barren; Barrenness
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
or (1) Of land that bears no crop, either (a) because it is naturally poor and sterile:
(2) Of females that bear no issue:
In Israel and among oriental peoples generally barrenness was a woman's and a family's greatest misfortune. The highest sanctions of religion and patriotism blessed the fruitful woman, because children were necessary for the perpetuation of the tribe and its religion. It is significant that the mothers of the Hebrew race, Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel, were by nature sterile, and therefore God's special intervention shows His particular favor to Israel. Fruitfulness was God's special blessing to His people (Exodus 23:26; Deuteronomy 7:14; Psalm 113:9 ). A complete family is an emblem of beauty (Song of Solomon 4:2; Song of Solomon 6:6 ). Metaphorically, Israel, in her days of adversity, when her children were exiled, was barren, but in her restoration she shall rejoice in many children (Isaiah 54:1; Galatians 4:27 ). The utter despair and terror of the destruction of Jerusalem could go no farther than that the barren should be called blessed (Luke 23:29 ).
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Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Barren; Barrenness'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/b/barren-barrenness.html. 1915.
