Genesis 11:30
Genesis 11:30 in Multiple Translations
But Sarai was barren; she had no children.
But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
And Sarai was barren; she had no child.
And Sarai had no child.
Sarai wasn't able to become pregnant and so had no children.
But Sarai was barren, and had no childe.
And Sarai is barren — she hath no child.
Sarai was barren. She had no child.
But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
And Sarai was barren, and had no children.
Sarai was unable to bear any children.
but Abram and Sarai didn’t have any kids. Sarai just couldn’t have a baby.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 11:30
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 11:30 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תְּהִ֥י
שָׂרַ֖י
עֲקָרָ֑ה
אֵ֥ין
לָ֖/הּ
וָלָֽד
וַ/תְּהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
שָׂרַ֖י
Sâray
H8297
Sarai
N-proper
עֲקָרָ֑ה
ʻâqâr
H6135
barren
Adj
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
לָ֖/הּ
Prep | Suff
וָלָֽד
vâlâd
H2056
child
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 11:30
וַ/תְּהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
שָׂרַ֖י
Sâray
H8297
"Sarai"
N-proper
Sarai was Abraham's wife, first mentioned in Genesis 11:29, and her name means princess, later changed to Sarah.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.29; daughter of: Terah (H8646); sister of: Abraham (H0085), Nahor (H5152H) and Haran (H2039); married to Abraham (H0085); mother of: Isaac (H3327); also called Sarai at Gen.11.29,30,31; 12.5,11,17; 16.1,2,3,5,6,8; 17.15; Another name of sa.rah (שָׂרָה "Sarah" H8283) § Sarai = "princess" original name of Sarah the wife of Abram or Abraham
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: Sarai. See also: Genesis 11:29; Genesis 16:1; Genesis 17:15.
עֲקָרָ֑ה
ʻâqâr
H6135
"barren"
Adj
Means sterile or barren, describing someone unable to have children, as seen in the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:6-8. This word is used to describe a woman who cannot bear children. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of longing for a child.
Definition: barren, sterile
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: ([idiom] male or female) barren (woman). See also: Genesis 11:30; Judges 13:2; Psalms 113:9.
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
לָ֖/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
וָלָֽד
vâlâd
H2056
"child"
N-ms
Valad means child or offspring, referring to a young boy. It is used in the Bible to describe a son or a youth. This word is often translated as child.
Definition: child, offspring
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: child. See also: Genesis 11:30.
Study Notes — Genesis 11:30
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Terah’s Descendants
28During his father Terah’s lifetime, Haran died in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans.
29And Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. Abram’s wife was named Sarai, and Nahor’s wife was named Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, who was the father of both Milcah and Iscah.
30But Sarai was barren; she had no children.
31And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there. 32Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 29:31 | When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. |
| 2 | Genesis 21:1–2 | Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. |
| 3 | Luke 1:7 | But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 1:2 | He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. |
| 5 | Genesis 16:1–2 | Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. |
| 6 | Judges 13:2 | Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children. |
| 7 | Genesis 30:1–2 | 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. Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?” |
| 8 | Genesis 18:11–12 | And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” |
| 9 | Genesis 25:21 | Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. |
| 10 | Psalms 113:9 | He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah! |
Genesis 11:30 Summary
[This verse tells us that Sarai, Abraham's wife, was unable to have children, which was a significant challenge for them. However, as we see later in Genesis 21:1-3, God miraculously intervenes and Sarai gives birth to Isaac. This story teaches us to trust God, even when things seem impossible, and to wait on His timing, as seen in Psalm 27:14 and Isaiah 40:31.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it significant that Sarai was barren?
The fact that Sarai was barren is significant because it highlights God's power to fulfill His promises, as seen in Genesis 11:30 and later in Genesis 21:1-3, where Sarai gives birth to Isaac.
How does Sarai's barrenness relate to the broader story of Abraham?
Sarai's barrenness is a crucial aspect of the story of Abraham, as it sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention and promise-keeping, as seen in Genesis 17:15-22 and Romans 4:18-25.
What can we learn from Sarai's experience of barrenness?
We can learn that God often uses difficult circumstances, like Sarai's barrenness, to demonstrate His power and faithfulness, as seen in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 and Psalm 113:9.
How does this verse relate to the theme of faith and trust in God?
This verse highlights the importance of trusting God, even when circumstances seem impossible, as Abraham and Sarai had to trust God for a child, as seen in Hebrews 11:11 and Romans 4:20-22.
Reflection Questions
- What are the areas in my life where I feel 'barren' or unable to produce fruit, and how can I trust God to bring life and abundance to those areas?
- How can I, like Abraham and Sarai, trust God's promises and timing, even when circumstances seem impossible or delayed?
- What are the ways in which I can surrender my own plans and desires to God, and trust in His sovereign plan, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11?
- How can I use my experiences of 'barrenness' or difficulty to point others to God's power and faithfulness, as seen in Psalm 71:20-24 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 11:30
But Sarai was barren; she had no child. Aben Ezra observes, there are some that say that Abraham was impotent, and not Sarai barren; the very reverse of the Scriptures; but as he rightly adds, his
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 11:30
But Sarai was barren; she had no child. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 11:30
See ,2 18:11,12.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 11:30
Genesis 11:30 But Sarai was barren; she [had] no child.Ver. 30. But Sarai was barren.] Till she had prayed for a child thirty years, and then she had him with abundance of joy. At first she believed not the promise, but laughed at the unlikelihood, and was checked for it. But when she had better bethought herself, "through faith she received strength to conceive seed, because she judged him faithful who had promised". She was (when past age) delivered of a child; who was not more the child of her flesh, than of her faith. Whether she were that Iscah spoken of in the verse next aforegoing, the doctors are divided. Some say that Iscah, in Chaldee, signifieth the same that Sarai in Hebrew. Others more probably make Sarai another woman, and the daughter not of Haran, but of Terah: how else could Abram say of her, that she was the daughter of his father, but not of his mother? Ea quae clavum administrationis tenet .
Sermons on Genesis 11:30
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Hebrews 11 - Part 6 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Abraham and highlights key moments in his journey as described in the Bible. The preacher emphasizes the importance of followin |
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Abraham, My Friend: 06 Your Prayer Is Heard by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of laying hold of God in prayer, being honest and expressing our true feelings to Him. He encourages listeners to trust God wi |
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Divinely Lead by David Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the cycle of bondage and captivity that the nation of Israel experienced due to their disobedience to God. The speaker highlights specific ins |
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Samson's Strength by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the use of television and radio in spreading the gospel. He challenges the idea that television is the ultimate tool for saving the world, poi |
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Ruth - Part 6 by John McGregor | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a godly heritage and how it can still happen today. Despite the challenges and distractions of the world, the preac |
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Jacob's Love for Rachael by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the story of Jacob and his love for Rachel. He highlights the unfortunate position of Leah, who was unloved by Jacob. However, God show |
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It Is Finished by B.H. Clendennen | In this sermon, the preacher begins by reading from Genesis chapter 21 and then transitions to Galatians chapter 4. He prays for the word of God to have an impact on the listeners. |