A List of Once Barren Women

Women in Scripture for whom the Lord removed the reproach of barrenness.

• Sarai – Abraham's wife was barren and advanced in years when she gave birth to Isaac, who would be the first child in the promise of a great nation (Genesis 11:30).
  
• Rebekah – Isaac's wife was barren until Isaac prayed for his wife and God granted his prayer (Genesis 25:21)
  

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• Rachel – Jacob's 2nd wife was barren while her sister Leah had many children, until she fell before God in desperation (Genesis 30:1) and later giving birth to Joseph and Benjamin.
  
  
• Manoah – Zorah the Danite's wife was barren until an angel appeared to them and told them she would become the mother of Samson (Judges 13:2-3) who would deliver Israel from the Philistines.
  
  
• Hannah – Elkanah's 2nd wife was barren until she prayed with such fervor at the tabernacle that priest Eli thought she was drunk. Upon realizing his mistake, Eli asked that God grant her petition and she became the mother of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:19-20) who would crown King David.
  
  
• Shunammite woman – A wealthy wife of man living in Shunem, who provided food and a place to stay to the prophet Elisha because he was a holy man (2 Kings 4:8-17), asked and received a child when offered a gift by the prophet.
  
  
• Elizabeth – Zechariah's wife became the mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:36) after Gabriel announced to Zechariah in the temple that John would serve multiple prominent roles in Israel preparing the way for the Messiah.