Table of Contents
Abraham and Sarah
Perhaps the best-known example: Abraham and Sarah were promised a child despite their old age. Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 when Isaac was born (Genesis 17:17, 21:5).
Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 when Isaac was born. Genesis 17:17 and 21:5 state this directly, which makes their great age clear.
Zechariah and Elizabeth
As mentioned, Zechariah and Elizabeth were advanced in years when the angel Gabriel told them they would have a son, John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25).
Their exact ages are not given. The Gospel of Luke (1:7) describes them as “advanced in years” and childless because Elizabeth was barren. This wording strongly suggests they were well past the usual age for having children.
Manoah and His Wife (Samson’s Parents)
In the Book of Judges, an angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife, who had not been able to conceive. He told her she would bear a son, who would become Samson (Judges 13:2-24).
The Book of Judges does not give the ages of Manoah and his wife. The story does imply that they had been childless for a long time, which may mean they were older, though this is less clear than in other examples.
Elkanah and Hannah
Hannah was not as old as others on this list, but she was deeply distressed that she could not conceive. She prayed to God for a child, and Samuel was born. Her story stands out for her heartfelt prayer and the miraculous answer to it (1 Samuel 1:1-20).
Their ages are not mentioned. The story puts more weight on Hannah’s barrenness at first than on their age. Still, the cultural context suggests that being childless for a long time might mean they were no longer young.
There are a few other cases that could be considered. They might be less directly tied to the theme of old age, or less detailed about divine intervention:
Rebekah (Isaac’s Wife):
Rebekah was not old, but she was barren for a time before she conceived Esau and Jacob. Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, and she conceived (Genesis 25:21).
Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah (Genesis 25:20), and they waited 20 years before Rebekah conceived (Genesis 25:26). That made Isaac 60 when the twins were born. Rebekah’s age is not given; the focus is on the time of barrenness rather than her age.
Rachel (Jacob’s Wife):
Rachel struggled with infertility for many years while her sister Leah bore children. In the end she conceived Joseph after a long time of waiting and praying (Genesis 30:22-24).
As with Rebekah, Rachel’s exact age is not mentioned. She went through a long time of barrenness while her sister Leah bore children. The story does not focus on her age.
The Shunammite Woman
In the story of Elisha in 2 Kings, a Shunammite woman who had welcomed the prophet was promised a son, even though her husband was old. She conceived a son as promised (2 Kings 4:14-17).
2 Kings does not give her age. The text notes that her husband was old. This suggests they might have been past the usual age for having children, all the more given the surprise and joy at the prophecy of a child.
Similarities
Divine Intervention or Promise
In almost all these stories, God or an angelic messenger foretells or promises the birth of the child. For example, an angel of the Lord told Manoah and his wife about Samson’s birth, and the angel Gabriel told Zechariah about the birth of John the Baptist.
Barrenness or Infertility
A shared element in these stories is that the women could not conceive at first. Sarah, Elizabeth, Hannah, Rachel, Rebekah and the wife of Manoah were all described as barren or went through long times of infertility before they conceived.
Prayer or Faithful Petition
Many of these stories involve prayer or a plea to God. For instance, Hannah’s heartfelt prayer in the temple is a turning point in her story and leads to the birth of Samuel.
Advanced Age or Unlikely Circumstances
Several of these accounts mention the old age of the parents (like Abraham, Sarah, Zechariah and Elizabeth), which makes the conception a miracle. In other cases, the circumstances (such as long barrenness) make conception seem unlikely or miraculous.
Special Role or Destiny of the Child
The children born in these stories often have a major destiny or role in biblical history. Isaac was the child of promise through whom Abraham’s descendants would be named. Samson was to be a Nazirite given to God from the womb. John the Baptist had a special role as the forerunner of Christ.
Fulfillment of God’s Plan or Promise
These births often mark the fulfillment of a specific divine plan or promise. This fits wider themes in the Bible, such as fulfilled prophecy, the continuing of an important family line, or the progress of God’s plan for Israel or humankind.
Sign of God’s Power and Blessing
Each story is a sign of God’s power, especially in overcoming human limits like barrenness or old age. They often bring out themes of faith, perseverance and divine blessing.
