στεῖρα (steira)
steira
barren
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective steira describes a state of being barren or childless, specifically applying to women who do not conceive. In the New Testament, it appears in five verses, with a notable concentration in the Gospel of Luke and the letters of Paul. The term carries a weight of social and personal significance, marking a condition that was often viewed as a source of sorrow or limitation in the ancient world.
Its usage highlights a contrast between natural inability and divine intervention. For instance, it describes Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, who was advanced in years and barren (Luke 1:7), as well as her relative Mary, who is addressed with a similar tone regarding the future birth of Jesus (Luke 1:36). Paul also employs the word in Galatians 4:27 to quote Isaiah, contrasting the barren woman with the one who has many children, using this imagery to illustrate spiritual freedom versus slavery.
The word is a contraction related to the idea of being stiff or unnatural, reflecting the ancient understanding of infertility as a deviation from the expected course of life. By linking this physical reality to broader theological themes, the biblical authors transform a personal condition into a powerful symbol of God’s power to bring life and fulfillment where none seems possible.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In the ancient world, being called barren often felt like a quiet exclusion from God’s blessing. It carried social weight and personal sorrow, marking a life that seemed to miss a fundamental hope. Yet Scripture does not leave this condition in silence. Instead, it places women like Elizabeth and Sarah at the center of God’s redemptive story, showing that human limitation is never a barrier to divine purpose.
This word reminds us that God’s timing operates outside natural expectations. When life feels stagnant or empty, the biblical narrative offers a different perspective: what seems impossible to nature is often the very stage for God’s faithfulness. We see this in Elizabeth’s unexpected pregnancy and in the spiritual fruitfulness described by Paul. It invites us to trust that God can bring life and fulfillment where none appears possible, turning our deepest vulnerabilities into testimonies of grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- barren3×
- [being] barren1×
- O barren woman1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- στεῖρα3×
- στεῖραι1×
- στείρᾳ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 1:7
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
This verse grounds the word in historical reality, identifying Elizabeth’s condition as the specific context for the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth.
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Luke 1:36
Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
Here the term highlights the miraculous nature of Elizabeth’s conception, serving as a sign to Mary that no promise from God is too difficult to fulfill.
-
Galatians 4:27
For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you who don’t travail. For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.”
Paul repurposes the imagery to describe spiritual freedom, showing how God brings forth many children through faith rather than natural lineage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word steira mean?
Why is this word significant in Luke 1?
How does Paul use this word in Galatians?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 3 books)
Luke 3 verses
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
Luke 1:36Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was…
Luke 23:29For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the…