3388. métra

Lexical Summary

métra: Womb

Original Word: μήτρα
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: métra
Pronunciation: MAY-trah
Phonetic Spelling: (may'-trah)
KJV: womb
NASB: womb
Word Origin: [from G3384 (μήτηρ - mother)]

1. the matrix

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

womb.

From meter; the matrix -- womb.

see GREEK meter

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from métér
Definition
the womb
NASB Translation
womb (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3388: μήτρα

μήτρα, μήτρας, ἡ (μήτηρ), the womb: Luke 2:23 (on which see διανοίγω, 1); Romans 4:19. (Herodotus, Plato, others; the Sept. for רֶחֶם.)

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Concept of the Womb

The womb is repeatedly portrayed in Scripture as the secret place where God fashions life and where His sovereign purposes begin to unfold (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5). Far from being a merely biological chamber, it is depicted as a sacred space over which the Lord alone has ultimate authority. Through it He raises up promised offspring, preserves covenant lines, and displays His power to bring life out of barrenness.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Luke 2:23, where the evangelist, citing Exodus 13:12, records that “Every firstborn male shall be called holy to the Lord.” The noun points to Mary’s physical womb, highlighting both Jesus’ genuine humanity and His consecration according to the Law.
2. Romans 4:19, where Paul reminds believers that Abraham “did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body as good as dead… or the deadness of Sarah’s womb.” The barren womb becomes the canvas upon which God paints the miracle of covenant fulfillment, anticipating the greater miracle of the virgin conception announced in Luke.

Old Testament Foundations

The significance of the womb reverberates throughout the Hebrew Scriptures:
• Genesis 17:15-19—Sarah’s womb, long closed, is opened so that Isaac might be born by promise and not merely by natural power.
• Exodus 13:2—“Consecrate to Me every firstborn,” a command that elevates the womb’s first produce to a position of holy dedication.
• 1 Samuel 1:5-20—Hannah’s prayer and Samuel’s birth illustrate that the Lord “closes” and “opens” wombs according to His wise purposes.

These narratives shape the expectation that divine intervention in the womb often signals redemptive turning points.

Theological Significance

Life, covenant, and redemption converge in the biblical treatment of the womb. Its presence in Luke 2:23 and Romans 4:19 threads together three major doctrines:

1. Incarnation—The Word truly “became flesh” in a woman’s womb (John 1:14), affirming full humanity while maintaining full deity.
2. Justification by Faith—Romans 4:19 shows that Abraham’s faith was tested against the visible “deadness” of Sarah’s womb; his unwavering trust illustrates that righteousness is credited apart from human ability.
3. Sanctity of Life—If the womb is the arena of God’s creative and redemptive acts, then every life conceived is to be received as a divine gift, worthy of protection and honor (Psalm 127:3).

Typology and Fulfillment in Christ

• Closed Womb to Open Womb—Old Testament barren mothers (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah) prefigure the ultimate grace shown in Mary, whose virgin womb bears the Messiah without human father.
• Firstborn and Redemption—Luke’s citation of the firstborn law associates Jesus with the Exodus pattern: just as Israel’s firstborn were redeemed by sacrifice, so the Firstborn of all creation will redeem His people by His own blood (Colossians 1:18-20).
• Faith Over Flesh—Abraham’s perception of Sarah’s lifeless womb contrasts with Mary’s humble acceptance: “May it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Both accounts proclaim that salvation history advances by God’s promise, not human potency.

Historical and Patristic Reflections

Early Christian writers appealed to the imagery of the womb to defend both the real incarnation and the virgin birth. Irenaeus observed that the same God who opened Sarah’s womb opened Mary’s, underscoring continuity between covenants. Augustine linked the sanctity of every womb to the incarnational dignity bestowed in Christ’s birth.

Implications for Ministry

• Pro-Life Ethics—Believers are called to protect life “from the womb to the tomb,” recognizing the unborn as persons under God’s creative care.
• Pastoral Encouragement—Couples wrestling with infertility can be pointed to Romans 4:19 and assured that the Lord remains sovereign over every womb, working all things for good.
• Christ-Centered Teaching—Whenever Scripture mentions the womb, teachers may trace lines to the gospel, showing how God’s power to grant life physically mirrors His power to grant new birth spiritually (John 3:3-6).

Related Terms and Themes

Barrenness, firstborn, conception, birthright, promise, incarnation, sanctity of life.

Summary

In the two New Testament uses of Strong’s Greek number 3388, the womb stands as a theological signpost: in Luke it identifies Jesus as the holy Firstborn, and in Romans it showcases resurrection-like power that brings life where death seems final. Together they affirm that the God who forms every child in the womb is the same God who, through an empty tomb, brings eternal life to all who believe.

Forms and Transliterations

μήτρα μητραν μήτραν μητρας μήτρας metran mētran mḗtran metras mētras mḗtras

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 2:23 N-AFS
GRK: ἄρσεν διανοῖγον μήτραν ἅγιον τῷ
NAS: THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED
KJV: that openeth the womb shall be called
INT: male opening a womb holy to the

Romans 4:19 N-GFS
GRK: νέκρωσιν τῆς μήτρας Σάρρας
NAS: and the deadness of Sarah's womb;
KJV: the deadness of Sara's womb:
INT: deadening of the womb of Sarah

Strong's Greek 3388
2 Occurrences

μήτραν — 1 Occ.
μήτρας — 1 Occ.