Seen by Scripture as a token of God's favour, and used figuratively to picture a number of central biblical themes.
Childbirth in the OT
Childbirth as a blessing
Genesis 1:28 See also Deuteronomy 7:14; Psalm 127:3–5
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”
Childlessness a cause of shame in Israel
Genesis 30:1 See also 1 Samuel 1:6, 1 Samuel 1:10–11; Luke 1:24–25
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.
The nature of human childbirth
The pain of childbirth a consequence of the fall
To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
The need for ceremonial purification after childbirth
See also Leviticus 12:1–8 Under the old covenant, unsanctioned contact with blood was ceremonially defiling; Luke 2:24
The role of midwives in childbirth
The joy of childbirth
Childbirth and salvation
The birth of a Saviour
Genesis 3:15 Although childbirth is a focus of judgment, through it the human race continues, and the Messiah comes into the world. See also Genesis 12:2–3, Genesis 15:3–6; Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6–7; Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:35, Luke 2:4–7; Galatians 3:16, Galatians 4:4; Revelation 12:5
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Salvation in childbearing
1 Timothy 2:15 A Christian mother fulfils her calling in childbearing; some take it to mean she will be kept safe in childbirth. Some, however, take this verse as a reference to Genesis 3:15, and the coming of Jesus Christ, as above.
Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
Childbirth used figuratively
To describe weakness and vulnerability
See also Ezekiel 16:4–6
To describe weakness under judgment
2 Kings 19:3 parallel Isaiah 37:3 See also Psalm 48:6; Isaiah 23:4, Isaiah 26:17–18; Jeremiah 4:31; Hosea 2:3, Hosea 13:13; Micah 4:10
to tell him, “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace; for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver them.
To describe troubles prior to God's final triumph
Matthew 24:7–8 parallel Mark 13:8 See also Romans 8:22
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
To describe love and compassion
To describe regeneration
John 3:6–7 See also John 1:12–13; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23
Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’
To describe pastoral concern
To describe the disciples' joy
To describe triumph and salvation
Isaiah 54:1 See also Galatians 4:27; Isaiah 26:19, Isaiah 66:7–11
“Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.
God's sovereignty in childbirth
All children are God's gift
God controls the events of childbirth
Genesis 25:22–23; Psalm 139:13, Psalm 139:16
Childbirth in old age
Genesis 17:16–19; Luke 1:5–13, Luke 1:18–20, Luke 1:23–25
Childbirth as an answer to prayer
Genesis 25:21; 1 Samuel 1:20; Luke 1:13
Childbirth for the barren woman
Psalm 113:9 See also Genesis 25:21; Judges 13:2–5; 1 Samuel 2:5; Isaiah 54:1
He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ born of a virgin
Isaiah 7:14 See also Matthew 1:22–23, Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:30–31, Luke 1:34–37 “impossible” births demonstrate God's power and grace and show that salvation comes from the Lord.
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.