In the Bible, the term "womb" is often used both literally and metaphorically, symbolizing the place of conception, growth, and the beginning of life. It is a significant concept that appears throughout the Scriptures, reflecting God's sovereignty over life and His intimate involvement in the creation of human beings.

Creation and Sovereignty

The womb is depicted as a sacred space where God exercises His creative power. In Psalm 139:13, the psalmist acknowledges God's role in the formation of life: "For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb." This verse highlights the belief that God is actively involved in the creation of each person, emphasizing His intimate knowledge and care.

Blessing and Barrenness

The ability to conceive and bear children is often portrayed as a blessing from God. In Genesis 29:31, it is noted, "When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren." Here, the opening and closing of the womb are seen as acts of divine will, underscoring God's control over fertility and His ability to bless individuals according to His purposes.

Conversely, barrenness is sometimes depicted as a challenge or trial. The accounts of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Hannah illustrate how God can intervene in situations of infertility. For instance, in 1 Samuel 1:19-20, God remembers Hannah, and she conceives Samuel: "And the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, 'Because I have asked for him from the LORD.'"

Metaphorical Uses

The womb is also used metaphorically to describe God's relationship with His people and His plans for them. In Isaiah 49:15, God compares His enduring love to that of a mother for her child: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!" This metaphor emphasizes God's unwavering commitment and compassion.

Prophetic and Messianic References

The womb is significant in prophetic and messianic contexts. Isaiah 7:14 prophesies the virgin birth of the Messiah: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This prophecy underscores the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception and birth, highlighting the divine intervention in the womb.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the womb continues to be a symbol of God's miraculous works. The conception of John the Baptist is described in Luke 1:13, where the angel tells Zechariah, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John." Similarly, the angel Gabriel announces to Mary in Luke 1:31, "Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus."

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, the womb is a powerful symbol of life, blessing, and divine intervention. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over creation and His intimate involvement in the lives of His people.2836. koilia -- belly
... Word Origin from koilos (hollow) Definition belly NASB Word Usage appetite (1),
appetites (1), belly (1), innermost being (1), stomach (7), womb (11), wombs (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2836.htm - 6k7358. rechem -- womb
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition womb NASB Word Usage birth (3), born*
(1), maiden (1), maidens (1), mother (1), womb (22), wombs (1). matrix, womb. ...
/hebrew/7358.htm - 6k

If the Members Rise, must they Discharge the Same Functions as Now ...
... from the beginning discharge them (since we see many women who do not become pregnant,
as those that are barren, even though they have wombs), so pregnancy is ...
/.../chapter iii if the members rise.htm

At the Birth of the Son, There was a Great Shouting in Bethlehem
... to youth.". The chaste women said, O Blessed Fruit, bless the fruit of our
wombs; to Thee may they be given as first-born. They waxed ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn v at the birth.htm

That Animals were not Produced Spontaneously, but by a Divine ...
... and thus that the new earth, retaining the productive seed, brought forth of itself
certain vessels [279] after the likeness of wombs, respecting which ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xii that animals were not.htm

Blessed be that First Day of Thine, Lord, Wherewith this Day of ...
... was fashioning babes. While He was slain, He opened the graves; [436] while
He was in the womb, He opened wombs. Come hearken, my ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iii blessed be that.htm

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... bare children. For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of
Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife. Job's miserable ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Second Marriage a Species of Adultery, Marriage Itself Impugned ...
... over "such as are with child and giving suck" shall be fulfilled, that is, over
the married and the incontinent: for from marriage result wombs, and breasts ...
/.../tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/chapter ix second marriage a species.htm

Abraham, the Man of Prayer
... they bare children. For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the
house of Abimelech because of Sarah, his wife.". This was ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/iii abraham the man of.htm

Weakness of the Pleas Urged in Defence of Second Marriage.
... Let them accumulate by their iterated marriages fruits right seasonable for the
last times"breasts heaving, and wombs qualmish, and infants whimpering. ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter xvi weakness of the pleas.htm

The Reality of the Resurrection
... To deny, for example, that those fetuses ever lived at all which are cut away limb
by limb and cast out of the wombs of pregnant women, lest the mothers die ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xxiii the reality of.htm

But Regard the Troops of virgins, Holy Boys and Girls...
... They are just: but they are not, are they, such as Thou, justifying the ungodly?
They are chaste: but them in sins their mothers nurtured in their wombs. ...
/.../augustine/of holy virginity /section 37 but regard the.htm

Wombs (3 Occurrences)
...Wombs (3 Occurrences). ... Genesis 20:18 For Yahweh had closed up tight all the wombs
of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife. ...
/w/wombs.htm - 7k

Womb (84 Occurrences)
... NAS). Genesis 20:18 For Yahweh had closed up tight all the wombs of the
house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife. (Root ...
/w/womb.htm - 32k

Nursed (13 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:29 For behold, the days are coming in which they will say,'Blessed are the
barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' (WEB ...
/n/nursed.htm - 10k

Nourished (29 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Luke 23:29 For behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed
are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts which never ...
/n/nourished.htm - 15k

Infants (71 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:29 For behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed are
the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts which never ...
/i/infants.htm - 28k

Tight (9 Occurrences)
... Peter's First Letter (See NIV). Genesis 20:18 For Yahweh had closed up tight all
the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife. (WEB). ...
/t/tight.htm - 10k

Paps (4 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed
are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave ...
/p/paps.htm - 7k

Bare (250 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed
are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave ...
/b/bare.htm - 35k

Barren (44 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:29 For behold, the days are coming in which they will say,'Blessed are the
barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' (WEB ...
/b/barren.htm - 23k

Borne (172 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:29 for behold, days are coming in which they will say, Blessed are the barren,
and wombs that have not borne, and breasts that have not given suck. ...
/b/borne.htm - 38k

What does the Bible say about miscarriage? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about fertility? | GotQuestions.org

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