The status and role of motherhood in ancient Israelite narratives : the Barren Wife Stories and the Book of Ruth

"Being a mother was one of the most important roles a woman could fulfill in ancient Israelite society. It was a primary source of prestige within her community. Hence, being childless was a source of personal anguish and social stress for any married woman. The barren wife stories and the Book of Ruth effectively communicate the direct impact the role of motherhood (or lack thereof) had on the level of economic and social status a woman could achieve in such an honour-based society. This thesis examines in detail six barren wife stories in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, as well as the Book of Ruth, and traces the various stages of the transformation of a barren wife or childless outsider into an honoured mother and the divine purpose revealed in such a transformation."