### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word στείρος (steíros, `{{G4723}}`) is derived from στερεός (stereos, `{{G4731}}`), meaning "stiff," "firm," or "solid." This etymological root hints at something fixed, unyielding, or unable to perform its natural function. Consequently, στείρος specifically denotes a state of biological infertility or barrenness, signifying an inability to conceive or bear offspring. Its semantic range is tightly focused on this physical condition, characterizing a female as "sterile" or "unproductive" in a reproductive sense. It stands in direct contrast to fruitfulness and the capacity for procreation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term στείρος appears four times in the New Testament, each instance offering significant theological insight:
* **Luke 1:7**: "But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren (στείρος), and both were advanced in years." Here, στείρος describes Elizabeth's physical condition, setting the stage for the miraculous birth of John the Baptist. Her barrenness highlights the divine intervention required for John's conception, underscoring God's power to overcome natural limitations and fulfill His promises.
* **Luke 1:36**: "And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren (στείρος)." This verse reiterates Elizabeth's barrenness as a key detail, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of her pregnancy as a sign accompanying the annunciation to Mary. It reinforces the theme of God acting supernaturally.
* **Luke 23:29**: "For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren (στείρος), and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed!’" In this prophetic lament by Jesus over Jerusalem, στείρος takes on a different, chilling significance. What was typically a cause for sorrow or shame becomes, in the context of impending judgment and tribulation, a state to be envied. This stark reversal underscores the severity of the coming destruction, where not having children means sparing them from immense suffering.
* **Galatians 4:27**: "For it is written, 'Rejoice, O barren (στείρος) one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor; for the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.'" Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1 allegorically, applying the concept of barrenness to Sarah, who represents the "Jerusalem above" (the church of Christ, born of promise). Despite being naturally barren, she produced many children. This passage contrasts her with Hagar (representing the earthly Jerusalem and the Law), who bore children naturally but was in bondage. Here, στείρος transcends its literal biological meaning to symbolize a state of spiritual desolation or lack of natural fruitfulness, which is then paradoxically blessed with abundant spiritual offspring through divine promise and grace, not human effort or law.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of barrenness (στείρος) is deeply interwoven with other biblical themes and words. Its primary Old Testament counterpart is the Hebrew עָקָר (aqar, `{{H6135}}`), which similarly denotes infertility. Stories of barren women like Sarah ([[Genesis 11:30]]), Rebekah ([[Genesis 25:21]]), Rachel ([[Genesis 29:31]]), Manoah's wife ([[Judges 13:2]]), and Hannah ([[1 Samuel 1:2]]) are foundational to understanding God's work in the New Testament with Elizabeth. These narratives consistently portray barrenness as a challenge that God miraculously overcomes, often to bring forth a key figure in salvation history.
The word contrasts sharply with concepts of "fruitfulness" (καρποφορέω, `{{G2592}}`), "bearing fruit" (ποιέω καρπόν), and "offspring" (σπέρμα, `{{G4690}}`). In a broader sense, it relates to ideas of "unproductivity" or "sterility" in various contexts, though στείρος itself is narrowly applied to biological reproduction.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of στείρος is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Miraculous Intervention**: In the narratives of Elizabeth (and her Old Testament predecessors), barrenness serves as a dramatic backdrop against which God's omnipotence and faithfulness are powerfully displayed. It highlights that God is not bound by human limitations or natural laws. He can open the womb and bring forth life where it is naturally impossible, demonstrating His sovereignty over creation and His ability to fulfill His redemptive plan against all odds. These miraculous births often precede the advent of significant figures in salvation history, underscoring their divine appointment.
2. **Symbolism of Spiritual Fruitfulness and Grace**: In Galatians, στείρος moves beyond its literal meaning to become a potent metaphor for the spiritual realm. The "barren" Sarah, representing the covenant of grace and promise, ultimately produces more spiritual children than the "fertile" Hagar, who represents the covenant of law. This illustrates that true spiritual fruitfulness and membership in God's family come not through human effort, natural lineage, or adherence to the law, but through God's unmerited grace and promise. The seemingly unproductive state becomes the very ground for abundant spiritual life.
3. **Reversal of Human Values in Judgment**: Luke 23:29 presents a chilling reversal of societal values regarding barrenness. What was typically a source of sorrow or even social stigma becomes, in the context of impending divine judgment, a state to be desired. This prophetic utterance underscores the severity of the coming tribulation, where the suffering will be so intense that not having children to witness or endure it will be considered a blessing. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's ways.
### Summary
The Greek term στείρος (`{{G4723}}`) fundamentally denotes biological barrenness or sterility. Its literal use, particularly in the accounts of Elizabeth, serves to magnify God's miraculous power and faithfulness in overcoming natural impossibilities to fulfill His divine purposes. These narratives consistently underscore God's sovereignty over life and His ability to bring forth His chosen instruments. Beyond its literal sense, στείρος carries profound symbolic weight, especially in Paul's allegorical use in Galatians 4. Here, the "barren" woman paradoxically represents the source of abundant spiritual offspring, illustrating that true spiritual fruitfulness is a gift of grace and promise, not a result of human effort or natural lineage. Finally, in Luke 23, the concept undergoes a dramatic reversal, highlighting the severity of impending judgment where barrenness is ironically deemed a blessing. In all its occurrences, στείρος points to the extraordinary ways in which God works, often defying human expectation and natural limitations, to advance His redemptive plan and demonstrate His glory.
TRV