Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.

Barren

For a woman to be barren was accounted a severe punishment among the Jews (Gen. 16:2, 30:1-23; 1 Sam. 1:6, 27; Isa. 47:9, 49:21; Lk. 1:25). Instances of barrenness are noticed (Gen. 11:30, 25:21, 29:31; Judg. 13:2, 3; Lk. 1:7, 36).