Bareness
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Bareness, often referred to as barrenness in biblical texts, is a condition of being unable to produce offspring. In the Bible, this condition is frequently mentioned and holds significant theological and cultural implications. It is often seen as a trial or a test of faith, and in some instances, a divine intervention is required to overcome it.

Old Testament Instances

1. Sarah: One of the most notable examples of bareness in the Bible is Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Initially unable to conceive, Sarah's bareness is a central theme in the narrative of God's covenant with Abraham. Genesis 11:30 states, "Now Sarai was barren; she had no child." Despite her advanced age, God promises Abraham that Sarah will bear a son. This promise is fulfilled with the birth of Isaac, as recorded in Genesis 21:1-2: "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him."

2. Rebekah: Rebekah, the wife of Isaac, also experienced bareness. Genesis 25:21 notes, "Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived." This instance highlights the power of prayer and God's responsiveness to the faithful.

3. Rachel: Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, struggled with bareness while her sister Leah bore several children. Genesis 30:1 records Rachel's distress: "When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she envied her sister. 'Give me children, or I will die!' she said to Jacob." God eventually remembers Rachel, and she gives birth to Joseph, as stated in Genesis 30:22-24.

4. Hannah: The account of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is another profound example. Hannah's bareness is a source of deep sorrow and provocation by her rival, Peninnah. In 1 Samuel 1:10-11, Hannah prays earnestly to the LORD, vowing that if He grants her a son, she will dedicate him to the LORD's service. God answers her prayer, and she gives birth to Samuel, who becomes a significant prophet in Israel.

New Testament Reference

In the New Testament, Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, is described as barren. Luke 1:7 states, "But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years." Her account parallels those of the Old Testament, as God intervenes, and she conceives John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ. This miraculous birth is announced by the angel Gabriel, emphasizing God's power and purpose.

Theological Implications

Bareness in the Bible is often depicted as a condition that God can reverse, demonstrating His sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises. It serves as a backdrop for divine intervention, highlighting themes of faith, patience, and the miraculous. The narratives of barren women who eventually bear children underscore the belief that God is the giver of life and that His timing and purposes are perfect.

Cultural Context

In ancient Near Eastern culture, bareness was often viewed as a source of shame and social stigma. Children were considered a blessing and a sign of divine favor, and the inability to conceive could lead to personal and familial distress. The biblical accounts of barren women who are later blessed with children serve to challenge cultural norms and affirm God's compassion and power.

Symbolism

Bareness can also symbolize spiritual desolation or a lack of fruitfulness in one's life or community. The transformation from bareness to fruitfulness is a powerful metaphor for spiritual renewal and divine blessing. This theme is echoed in various biblical passages that speak of God bringing life and abundance where there was once desolation.

In summary, bareness in the Bible is a multifaceted theme that encompasses personal struggle, divine promise, and the miraculous intervention of God. It serves as a testament to the faithfulness of God and His ability to bring life and hope to seemingly hopeless situations.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) The state of being bare.
Strong's Hebrew
8205. shephi -- bareness, a smooth or bare height
... 8204, 8205. shephi. 8206 . bareness, a smooth or bare height. Transliteration:
shephi Phonetic Spelling: (shef-ee') Short Definition: heights. ...
/hebrew/8205.htm - 6k

8195. Shepho -- "bareness," an Edomite
... 8194, 8195. Shepho. 8196 . "bareness," an Edomite. Transliteration: Shepho
Phonetic Spelling: (shef-o') Short Definition: Shephi. ...
/hebrew/8195.htm - 6k

7146. qarachath -- baldness of head
... Word Origin from qarach Definition baldness of head NASB Word Usage bald head
(2), bareness* (1), head (1), top (1). bald head, bare within. ...
/hebrew/7146.htm - 6k

1372. gabbachath -- a bald forehead
... Word Origin from the same as gibbeach Definition a bald forehead NASB Word Usage
bald (1), bald forehead (3), bareness* (1), front (1). bald forehead, without. ...
/hebrew/1372.htm - 6k

Library

Thou Dost not Hide Thyself in Thy Bareness, O Pearl!
... Hymn III. Thou dost not hide thyself in thy bareness, O pearl! 1. Thou
dost not hide thyself in thy bareness, O pearl! With the ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iii thou dost not.htm

Three Celebrated Mysteries.
... [617] Some read, "bond.". [618] Literally, "opinion.". [619] Literally, "bareness.".
[620] Literally, "truth.". [621] Literally, "an economy.". ...
/.../chapter xix three celebrated mysteries.htm

The Founding of Herrnhut, 1722-1727.
... 1722.}. The spot itself was dreary and bleak, but the neighbouring woods
of pines and beeches relieved the bareness of the scene. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iii the founding of.htm

Inward Mortification and Perfect Resignation are Necessary for ...
... walk this way, are rare: because there are few in the world, who do totally deny
themselves, to follow Christ crucified, with simpleness and bareness of spirit ...
/.../chap vii inward mortification and.htm

Of the Men who Practise a False Vacancy
... Behold, such folk, by means of a onefold simplification and a natural tendency,
are turned in upon the bareness of their own being; and therefore they think ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter iv of the men.htm

The Common Way of all Souls.
... prevent me saying vocal prayers, having sensible devotion, or receiving lights on
mysteries, I should still love and esteem the silence and bareness induced by ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section v the common way of.htm

Of the Origin and Character of Each of These Faults.
... it sometimes happens that at the time our host is out of that particular thing which
we ask for, and we make him feel ashamed of the wants and bareness of his ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi of the origin.htm

How we May Become Hidden Sons of God, and Attain to the God-Seeing ...
... with our feeling, above reason; and there we must abide, onefold, empty of ourselves,
and free from images, lifted up by love into the simple bareness of our ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter ix how we may.htm

The Elizabethan Reaction
... And so it came about that when they returned to England, even the bareness of worship
which the close of Edward's reign had encouraged was made barer still by ...
/.../studies in the book of common prayer/chapter iii the elizabethan reaction.htm

The Puritan Innovations
... it is true, accept his master's teaching on the subject of subjects; he nevertheless
held Sacramental views many degrees removed from the bareness of Calvin's ...
/.../studies in the book of common prayer/chapter ii the puritan innovations.htm

Thesaurus
Bareness (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bareness (1 Occurrence). ... It is a mildewed spot, whether
the bareness is inside or outside. (WEB JPS ASV NAS). ...
/b/bareness.htm - 6k

Leprous (27 Occurrences)
... shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is
inside or outside. (See RSV). Leviticus 13:59 This is the ...
/l/leprous.htm - 15k

Mildew (26 Occurrences)
... burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside
or outside. (Root in WEB NIV). Leviticus 13:56 If the ...
/m/mildew.htm - 16k

Mildewed (1 Occurrence)
... t spread, it is unclean; you shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed
spot, whether the bareness is inside or outside. (WEB). ...
/m/mildewed.htm - 6k

Barest (3 Occurrences)

/b/barest.htm - 7k

Barely (3 Occurrences)

/b/barely.htm - 7k

Affected (9 Occurrences)
... shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is
inside or outside. (See NIV). Isaiah 57:10 Thou wast wearied ...
/a/affected.htm - 9k

Produced (39 Occurrences)
... shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside
or outside. (See NAS). Leviticus 25:45 And in addition ...
/p/produced.htm - 18k

Mountain (298 Occurrences)
... herd's dog. These mountains are apt to repel the casual traveler by their
bareness. They have no great forests on their slopes. Steep ...
/m/mountain.htm - 48k

Examine (48 Occurrences)
... It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside or outside. (WEB RSV NIV).
Leviticus 14:3 and the priest shall go forth out of the camp. ...
/e/examine.htm - 23k

Resources
Bareness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Bareness (1 Occurrence)

Leviticus 13:55
Then the priest shall examine it, after the plague is washed; and behold, if the plague hasn't changed its color, and the plague hasn't spread, it is unclean; you shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside or outside.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS)

Subtopics

Bareness

Related Terms

Bargain (7 Occurrences)

Deserving (19 Occurrences)

Baptises (3 Occurrences)

Baptizeth (2 Occurrences)

Borest (1 Occurrence)

Bareness (1 Occurrence)

Abiathar (29 Occurrences)

Wast (84 Occurrences)

Buying (12 Occurrences)

Witness (295 Occurrences)

Barely
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