For a woman to be barren was accounted a severe punishment among the Jews ( Genesis 16:2 ; 30:1-23 ; 1 Samuel 1:6 1 Samuel 1:27 ; Isaiah 47:9 ; 49:21 ; Luke 1:25 ). Instances of barrenness are noticed ( Genesis 11:30 ; 25:21 ; 29:31 ; Judges 13:2 Judges 13:3 ; Luke 1:7 Luke 1:36 ).

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.