Conceiving, in the biblical context, refers to the act of becoming pregnant or the process of conception. This event is often seen as a divine blessing and a fulfillment of God's promises throughout the Scriptures. The Bible provides numerous accounts and teachings related to conception, emphasizing its significance in God's plan for humanity.

Biblical Accounts of Conception

1. Eve: The first mention of conception occurs with Eve, the mother of all living. After the fall, God tells Eve, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children" (Genesis 3:16). This indicates the beginning of human procreation and the continuation of life despite the entrance of sin into the world.

2. Sarah: Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is a prominent figure in the narrative of conception. Despite her old age and initial barrenness, God promises Abraham that Sarah will bear a son. Genesis 21:1-2 states, "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." This miraculous conception underscores God's power and faithfulness.

3. Rebekah: Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, marries Rebekah, who also experiences barrenness. Isaac prays to the LORD on behalf of his wife, and God answers his prayer. Genesis 25:21 records, "And Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him, and Rebekah his wife conceived." This account highlights the importance of prayer and divine intervention in conception.

4. Hannah: In 1 Samuel, Hannah is another example of a woman who struggles with barrenness. She fervently prays to the LORD for a child, and God grants her request. 1 Samuel 1:20 states, "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.'" Hannah's account illustrates the power of faith and prayer in the process of conception.

5. Mary: The conception of Jesus Christ is the most significant and miraculous in the Bible. The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:31, 34-35 records, "Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus... 'How can this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?' The angel replied, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.'" This divine conception is central to the Christian faith, marking the incarnation of God in human form.

Theological Significance

Conception in the Bible is often associated with God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises. It is seen as a blessing and a gift from God, as expressed in Psalm 127:3 : "Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward." The ability to conceive is portrayed as part of God's creative work and His plan for the continuation of life.

Furthermore, the Bible acknowledges the challenges and struggles associated with conception, such as barrenness and the pain of childbirth. These difficulties are often met with prayer and reliance on God's intervention, demonstrating the importance of faith and trust in God's timing and purposes.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The biblical perspective on conception also encompasses moral and ethical considerations. The sanctity of life is a fundamental principle, with life beginning at conception. This belief influences Christian views on issues such as abortion and reproductive technologies, emphasizing the protection and value of life from its earliest stages.

In summary, the concept of conceiving in the Bible is rich with theological meaning, illustrating God's involvement in the creation and sustenance of life. It serves as a reminder of His promises, the power of prayer, and the sanctity of human life.Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 127:3-5
See, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 2:7
I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.
Topicalbible.org

Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Topicalbible.org

(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Conceive.2029. harah -- to conceive, become pregnant
... Definition to conceive, become pregnant NASB Word Usage am (1), ancestors (1), child
(1), conceive (3), conceived (35), conceives (1), conceiving (1), pregnant ...
/hebrew/2029.htm - 6k

Different Modes of Conceiving.
... Book XI. Chapter 8."Different Modes of Conceiving. But since the eye of
the mind cannot look at all things together, in one glance ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 8 different modes of conceiving.htm

But I Thought Otherwise; Conceiving Only of My Lord Christ as of a ...
... Book VII Chapter XIX But I thought otherwise; conceiving only of my Lord
Christ as of a man of? But I thought otherwise; conceiving ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xix but i thought.htm

Whether the Mother of God was a virgin in Conceiving Christ?
... OF THE VIRGINITY OF THE MOTHER OF GOD (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the Mother
of God was a virgin in conceiving Christ? Objection 1: It ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the mother of god 2.htm

The Contents. The Introduction, Concerning the Causes of Atheism 1
... Of the difficulty of conceiving Eternity 8. ... Of the manner of our conceiving the
Eternity of God with respect to succession ibid. PROP. VI. ...
/.../the contents the introduction concerning.htm

Opinions of the Philosophers as to the one God.
... then, says, "To find out the Maker and Father of this universe is difficult; and,
when found, it is impossible to declare Him to all," [715] conceiving of one ...
/.../a plea for the christians/chapter vi opinions of the philosophers.htm

How a Kind of Trinity Exists in the Mind Thinking of Itself. What ...
... to that nature when it conceives of itself, not as if by moving through space, but
by an incorporeal conversion; but when it is not conceiving of itself, it ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 6 how a kind of.htm

The Thing is Made Plain by an Example. In what Way the Matter is ...
... us consider more carefully that example which we have adduced, wherein it was shown
that not knowing a thing is different from not thinking [conceiving] of it ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 7 the thing is made.htm

A vindication of the Prophecy in Isa. vii. 14 against the ...
... also, He promised that the King should be "of the fruit of his belly," which was
the appropriate [term to use with respect] to a virgin conceiving, and not "of ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxi a vindication of the.htm

Whether it was Necessary to Announce to the Blessed virgin that ...
... a becoming order in the union of the Son of God with the Virgin"-namely, that she
should be informed in mind concerning Him, before conceiving Him in the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was necessary to.htm

The Creator of the World Either Produced of Himself the Images of ...
... 2. This difficulty presented itself to Basilides after he had utterly missed the
truth, and was conceiving that, by an infinite succession of those beings that ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi the creator of the.htm

Conceiving (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Conceive. Multi-Version
Concordance Conceiving (8 Occurrences). Genesis 16:11 and ...
/c/conceiving.htm - 9k

Conceiveth (27 Occurrences)
... Jehovah. (YLT). 2 Samuel 11:5 and the woman conceiveth, and sendeth, and
declareth to David, and saith, 'I 'am' conceiving.' (YLT). 2 ...
/c/conceiveth.htm - 13k

Perverseness (46 Occurrences)
... There is none calling in righteousness, And there is none pleading in faithfulness,
Trusting on emptiness, and speaking falsehood, Conceiving perverseness, and ...
/p/perverseness.htm - 18k

Conception (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of conceiving in the womb; the
initiation of an embryonic animal life. 2. (n.) The state ...
/c/conception.htm - 19k

Unchangeableness (1 Occurrence)
... This latter tendency goes too far in the opposite direction, and falls into the
error of conceiving God's knowledge, will, purpose and power too ...
/u/unchangeableness.htm - 27k

Unchangeable (4 Occurrences)
... This latter tendency goes too far in the opposite direction, and falls into the
error of conceiving God's knowledge, will, purpose and power too ...
/u/unchangeable.htm - 28k

Trinity
... If we conceive of God as self-conscious and loving, therefore, we cannot help
conceiving of Him as embracing in His unity some form of plurality. ...
/t/trinity.htm - 39k

Uttering (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 59:13 transgressing and denying Yahweh, and turning away from following our
God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart ...
/u/uttering.htm - 9k

Grisled (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:10 And it cometh to pass at the time of the flock conceiving, that I
lift up mine eyes and see in a dream, and lo, the he-goats, which are going up ...
/g/grisled.htm - 8k

Imagination (20 Occurrences)
... The power to recombine the materials furnished by experience or memory, for the
accomplishment of an elevated purpose; the power of conceiving and expressing ...
/i/imagination.htm - 16k

Does the Bible say what is the proper age for marriage? | GotQuestions.org

What are the seven things God hates? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Ontological argument for the existence of God? | GotQuestions.org

Conceiving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus