The Old Testament has numerous stories of women who were unable to bear children - at first:
- Sarah, wife of Abraham, who gave birth to Isaac at an older age;
- Rebekah, wife of Isaac;
- Rachel, wife of Jacob;
- Samson's mother (who is not named);
- Hannah the mother of the prophet Samuel.
The main purpose of these stories of barren women who later give birth to a child is to underline the specialness of that child.
- Little Blue Book, Diocese of Saginaw