Miscarriage

In the Bible, miscarriage is often seen as a tragic event and is sometimes mentioned in the context of divine judgment or as a consequence of sin. The Hebrew Scriptures contain several references to miscarriage, reflecting the cultural and theological understanding of the time.

One of the earliest mentions is found in the Book of Exodus. In Exodus 21:22-25, the law addresses the situation where a pregnant woman is injured during a conflict between men, resulting in a miscarriage. The passage states: "If men who are fighting strike a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely, but there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband demands and as the court allows. But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life—eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe." . This law underscores the value of both the mother and the unborn child, indicating that harm to either is a serious matter.

In the prophetic literature, miscarriage is sometimes used metaphorically to describe the judgment of God upon a nation or people. Hosea 9:14, for example, contains a plea for divine retribution: "Give them, O LORD—what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up!" . Here, miscarriage is depicted as a curse, a sign of divine displeasure and a withdrawal of blessing.

The Bible also reflects the deep sorrow and loss associated with miscarriage. In the broader biblical narrative, children are considered a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5), and the loss of a child, whether born or unborn, is a profound grief. The absence of children, as seen in the accounts of barren women like Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah, is often portrayed as a source of deep personal anguish and social stigma.

Dry Breasts

The concept of "dry breasts" in the Bible is closely related to the themes of barrenness and divine judgment. In ancient Israelite society, the ability to nurse children was a sign of fertility and blessing, and the inability to do so was often viewed as a curse or a sign of divine disfavor.

As mentioned in Hosea 9:14, the prophet Hosea calls upon God to give the people "wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up" . This imagery is used to convey the severity of God's judgment against Israel for their unfaithfulness and idolatry. The drying up of breasts symbolizes a cessation of life and blessing, reflecting the dire consequences of turning away from God.

In the broader biblical context, the nurturing role of a mother is highly valued, and the ability to nurse is seen as a natural and essential part of motherhood. Isaiah 49:15 uses the image of a nursing mother to illustrate God's unfailing compassion: "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!" . Here, the nurturing aspect of motherhood is used to emphasize God's enduring love and care for His people.

The imagery of dry breasts, therefore, serves as a powerful metaphor for loss, judgment, and the absence of divine blessing. It highlights the importance of faithfulness to God and the consequences of turning away from His covenant. Throughout the Bible, the themes of fertility, childbirth, and nurturing are intertwined with the spiritual health and faithfulness of God's people, reflecting the deep connection between physical and spiritual well-being in the biblical worldview.