עָקָר (a.qar)
a.qar
barren
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word עָקָר describes a state of barrenness, often reflecting deep personal sorrow in ancient Israelite culture where children were seen as a primary blessing. Yet Scripture consistently shows that this condition is not a final verdict but a stage in God's unfolding story. From Sarah to Hannah, and even the unnamed mother in Judges, these narratives reveal that human limitation meets divine creativity.
When we face seasons of waiting or unfulfilled longing, this word reminds us that God sees what others overlook. He does not leave the barren in silence but often brings unexpected joy and new life. This truth encourages us to trust His timing, knowing that He can bring fruitfulness from places that seem empty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] barren3×
- a barren [woman]2×
- barren1×
- and/ barren1×
- and/ a barren [female]1×
- a sterile [male]1×
- [the] barren [woman] of1×
- [are] barren1×
- O barren [woman]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲקָרָ֖ה3×
- עֲקָרָה֙2×
- עָקָ֥ר1×
- עֲקָרָֽה\׃1×
- עֲקָרָ֑ה1×
- עֲקֶ֬רֶת1×
- עֲ֭קָרָה1×
- וַֽ/עֲקָרָ֖ה1×
- וַ/עֲקָרָ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 11:30
Sarai was barren. She had no child.
This verse introduces Sarah’s barrenness as the central tension driving the narrative of Abraham’s family.
-
Judges 13:3
Yahweh’s angel appeared to the woman, and said to her, “See now, you are barren and childless; but you shall conceive and bear a son.
The angel announces that Samson’s mother, though barren, will conceive, highlighting God’s sovereign choice in raising leaders.
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Psalms 113:9
He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother of children. Praise Yah!
This psalm celebrates God’s power to transform barrenness into joyful motherhood, serving as a testament to His care for the marginalized.
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Isaiah 54:1
“Sing, barren, you who didn’t give birth! Break out into singing, and cry aloud, you who didn’t travail with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,” says Yahweh.
Here the metaphor of barrenness shifts from individual sorrow to national hope, urging Zion to rejoice in future restoration.