### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun μήτρα (mḗtra, `{{G3388}}`) is derived directly from μήτηρ (mētēr, `{{G3384}}`), meaning "mother." This etymological connection is crucial, immediately linking the word to the maternal and life-giving aspects. Its primary and consistent meaning in the New Testament is "womb" or "uterus," referring to the anatomical organ within the female body where conception occurs and a fetus develops. While primarily literal, the term inherently carries profound connotations of origin, formation, and the sacred space where new life is nurtured and brought into being. It is the matrix from which human existence springs forth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term μήτρα appears five times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospel of Luke and once in Romans, each context underscoring significant theological truths:
* **[[Luke 1:31]]**: The angel Gabriel declares to Mary, "And behold, you will conceive in your μήτρα and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus." Here, μήτρα highlights the miraculous nature of Jesus's conception by the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that His human life began within Mary's womb, yet not by natural means.
* **[[Luke 1:41]]**: As Mary greets Elizabeth, "the baby leaped in her μήτρα." This describes John the Baptist's prophetic recognition of the Messiah while still in his mother's womb, an extraordinary event that underscores divine knowledge and purpose from the earliest stages of life.
* **[[Luke 1:42]]**: Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaims to Mary, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your μήτρα!" This is a direct blessing upon Jesus, the "fruit" or product of Mary's womb, reinforcing His divine origin and the sanctity of His pre-natal existence.
* **[[Luke 2:23]]**: In reference to the Law of Moses concerning the dedication of the firstborn, it is written, "Every male who opens the μήτρα shall be called holy to the Lord." This citation from Exodus 13:2 uses μήτρα to denote the first birth from a mother, signifying consecration and the special status of the firstborn male in Israelite law and tradition.
* **[[Romans 9:10]]**: Paul, discussing God's sovereign election, states that Rebekah "had conceived children by one man, our ancestor Isaac—even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue, not by works but by his call)—she was told, 'The older will serve the younger.'" The reference to Jacob and Esau being in the μήτρα before their birth or actions underscores that God's choice is not based on human merit or performance, but solely on His divine will and purpose.
Across these passages, μήτρα consistently refers to the physical womb, but its use always points to deeper spiritual realities concerning divine intervention, pre-natal recognition, and God's sovereign election.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of μήτρα is closely intertwined with several other Greek terms and theological concepts:
* μήτηρ (mētēr, `{{G3384}}`): "Mother," the direct root, emphasizing the maternal role and relationship to the womb.
* κυέω (kyeō, `{{G2943}}`): "To conceive," "to be pregnant." This verb describes the process that occurs within the μήτρα.
* γεννάω (gennaō, `{{G1080}}`): "To beget," "to give birth." This verb signifies the outcome of the μήτρα's function.
* βρέφος (brephos, `{{G1025}}`): "An unborn infant," "newborn baby." This noun refers to the occupant of the μήτρα.
* **Conception and Birth:** μήτρα is central to the biblical understanding of human origins, highlighting the miraculous and divinely ordained process of life beginning.
* **Divine Election:** Especially in Romans 9, the μήτρα serves as the temporal marker before any human action, emphasizing God's pre-ordained choices.
* **Sanctity of Life:** The contexts in Luke, particularly the blessing upon the "fruit of the womb" and the leaping of John, implicitly affirm the value and sacredness of life even in its embryonic stages.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of μήτρα is profound, illuminating several key doctrines:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Life:** The consistent portrayal of events within the μήτρα as divinely orchestrated (Jesus's conception, John's recognition, Jacob and Esau's election) underscores God's ultimate authority and involvement in the creation and sustenance of human life from its very inception. The μήτρα is not merely a biological organ but a sacred space where God's creative power is uniquely manifested.
* **Pre-Natal Knowledge and Purpose:** The narratives involving John the Baptist and the twins Jacob and Esau demonstrate that God knows and has a purpose for individuals even before their birth. This challenges human notions of merit and emphasizes that God's plan is not contingent upon human actions but originates in His sovereign will. The μήτρα becomes a symbol of God's intimate knowledge of His creation from its earliest, most vulnerable stages.
* **The Incarnation:** The μήτρα of Mary is central to the mystery of the Incarnation. It is within her womb that the divine Son of God took on human flesh, a profound theological truth that bridges heaven and earth. This makes the μήτρα a site of unparalleled divine condescension and human receptivity.
* **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** The events surrounding the μήτρα in Luke's Gospel are presented as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, particularly concerning the Messiah and His forerunner, thereby connecting the New Testament narratives deeply with God's overarching redemptive plan.
### Summary
The Greek word μήτρα (mḗtra, `{{G3388}}`) literally denotes the "womb" or "uterus," deriving from the word for "mother." Its biblical occurrences, primarily in Luke and Romans, consistently refer to this anatomical organ, yet always with profound theological implications. In Luke, μήτρα highlights the miraculous conception of Jesus, John the Baptist's pre-natal prophetic recognition, and the sacredness of the firstborn, emphasizing divine intervention and blessing upon life from its earliest stages. In Romans, it underscores God's sovereign election and purpose for individuals before their birth, demonstrating that His choices are based on His will, not human merit. Thus, μήτρα serves as a powerful symbol of divine sovereignty over life, God's pre-natal knowledge and purpose for humanity, and the sacredness of human origins, particularly in the context of the Incarnation and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
TRV