4723. steira

Lexicon

steira: Barren, infertile

Original Word: στείρα
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: steira
Pronunciation: STAY-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (sti'-ros)
Definition: Barren, infertile
Meaning: barren.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

barren.

A contraction from stereos (as stiff and unnatural); "sterile" -- barren.

see GREEK stereos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from steiros (barren)
Definition
barren
NASB Translation
barren (3), barren woman (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4723: στεῖρος

στεῖρος, στεῖρα, στειρον (equivalent to στερρός, στερεός which see; whence German starr, Latinsterilis), hard, stiff; of men and animals, barren: of a woman who does not conceive, Luke 1:7, 36; Luke 23:29; Galatians 4:27. (Homer, Theocritus, the Orphica, Anthol.; the Sept. for עָקָר עֲקָרָה.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root στεῖρος (steiros), meaning "barren" or "infertile."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek term στείρα corresponds to the Hebrew word עֲקָרָה (H6135, 'aqarah), which also means "barren" or "infertile." This Hebrew term is used in the Old Testament to describe women such as Sarah (Genesis 11:30), Rebekah (Genesis 25:21), and Hannah (1 Samuel 1:2), who were initially unable to bear children but later experienced God's intervention leading to the birth of significant figures in Israel's history.

Usage: The word στείρα is used in the New Testament to describe women who are unable to bear children. It appears in contexts that highlight miraculous births or divine intervention in overcoming barrenness.

Context: The term στείρα is notably used in the New Testament to describe women who were initially unable to conceive but later experienced miraculous births through divine intervention. This term is significant in biblical narratives as it underscores themes of hope, divine promise, and the fulfillment of God's plans through unexpected means.

In the Gospel of Luke, στείρα is used to describe Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Luke 1:7 states, "But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both of them were well along in years." This sets the stage for the miraculous announcement by the angel Gabriel that Elizabeth would conceive a son, despite her barrenness, as recorded in Luke 1:36: "And behold, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month."

The use of στείρα in these passages highlights the power of God to bring life and fulfill His promises, even when human circumstances seem impossible. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through history.

Forms and Transliterations

στειρα στείρα στείρᾳ στεῖρα στειραι στείραι στεῖραι στείραν στελέχη στέλεχος στελέχους στελέχων στερεώνται steira steîra steirai steírāi steîrai

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 1:7 N-NFS
GRK: ἡ Ἐλισάβετ στεῖρα καὶ ἀμφότεροι
NAS: Elizabeth was barren, and they were both
KJV: that Elisabeth was barren, and they
INT: Elizabeth barren and both

Luke 1:36 N-DFS
GRK: τῇ καλουμένῃ στείρᾳ
NAS: and she who was called barren is now in her sixth
KJV: who was called barren.
INT: who [was] called barren

Luke 23:29 N-NFP
GRK: Μακάριαι αἱ στεῖραι καὶ αἱ
NAS: Blessed are the barren, and the wombs
KJV: Blessed [are] the barren, and
INT: Blessed [are] the barren and the

Galatians 4:27 N-VFS
GRK: γάρ Εὐφράνθητι στεῖρα ἡ οὐ
NAS: REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR;
KJV: Rejoice, [thou] barren that bearest
INT: indeed Rejoice O barren that not

Hebrews 11:11 Noun-NFS
GRK: αὐτὴ Σάρρα στεῖρα δύναμιν εἰς
INT: herself Sarah barren power for

Strong's Greek 4723
5 Occurrences

στεῖρα — 4 Occ.
στεῖραι — 1 Occ.