Brief Overview of στεῖρα (Strong’s G4723: steira)

Strong’s G4723: A feminine adjective meaning “barren” or “sterile,” used as a noun for a barren woman. In biblical context, it often appears in narratives of divine intervention, where God demonstrates His power by enabling conception in seemingly impossible situations.

U- Unveiling the Word

στεῖρα carries profound theological significance in biblical narrative, representing both the pain of childlessness and the power of divine intervention. In New Testament usage, it appears prominently in Luke’s narrative of Elizabeth, connecting her story to the Old Testament pattern of God’s miraculous provision of children to barren women. Early church fathers saw in this word a symbol of both human limitation and divine possibility. Today, it continues to testify to God’s power to bring life from situations that appear hopeless.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: στεῖρα, steira, STAY-rah
• Detailed pronunciation: st (as in stay) + ay (as in ray) + rah (as in raw)
• Part of Speech: Adjective (used as noun)

Etymology:

• From Proto-Indo-European *ster- (stiff, rigid)
• -ρα (-ra) feminine ending
• Indicates inability to bear children

D – Defining Meanings

• Barren
• Unable to bear children
• Sterile
• Childless (of women)

For compound words:
Not applicable as this is a simple adjective

Translation Options:

• “Barren” – traditional biblical translation
• “Sterile” – medical emphasis
• “Childless” – focuses on social context

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἄγονος (agonos) [AG-on-os] – childless, unfruitful – See G103
• ἄτεκνος (ateknos) [AT-ek-nos] – without children – See G815
• ἄκαρπος (akarpos) [A-kar-pos] – unfruitful – See G175

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this adjective:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: First declension

Examples:

• Nominative singular: στεῖρα (barren)
• Genitive singular: στείρας (of barren)
• Accusative plural: στείρας (barren women)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in miraculous birth narratives. Thayer’s notes its consistent feminine usage. LSJ documents broader classical usage. Vine’s highlights its theological significance. Strong’s connects it to physical condition. LEH traces Septuagint usage patterns. Moulton and Milligan show medical usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Luke 1:7: “But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren [στεῖρα], and they were both well advanced in years.”

Additional References:
Luke 1:36, Luke 23:29, Galatians 4:27

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

στεῖρα reminds us that no situation is beyond God’s power to transform. It proclaims the good news that the Messiah came through a line of miraculous births, demonstrating God’s power to bring life where human hope has died. This word teaches us that our limitations become opportunities for God to display His glory.

D – Did You Know?

• The word appears in ancient medical texts discussing fertility treatments
• It was sometimes used metaphorically for unproductive land
• Early Christian writers saw it as a symbol of the church before Christ’s coming

Strong’s G4723: A feminine adjective meaning “barren” or “sterile,” used as a noun for a barren woman. In biblical context, it often appears in narratives of divine intervention, where God demonstrates His power by enabling conception in seemingly impossible situations.

Part of speech: Adjective (used as noun)

Tags: barrenness, infertility, Elizabeth, miraculous-births, divine-intervention, women-in-Bible, childlessness, Luke-narrative, promises, Sarah, Hannah, fertility, biblical-women, miraculous-conception, Gods-power​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​