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Luke 1:7
ESV But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
NIV But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
NASB And yet they had no child, because Elizabeth was infertile, and they were both advanced in years.
CSB But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.
NLT They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
KJV And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

What does Luke 1:7 mean?

In the ancient world, a person's legacy was largely defined by their children. Concepts such as retirement, social security, and other systems simply did not exist. Those who grew old without surviving children were in a difficult position. This was worse for women, who didn't have the same opportunities for income as did men. A lack of children—especially for a woman—was embarrassing. It would have been common for friends and neighbors to suspect that childlessness was punishment for sin, yet Zechariah and Elizabeth are well-known for their godliness (Luke 1:6; John 9:1–3).

As they age, the priestly couple's hopes of having children all but disappear. That they'd given up on having a child is reflected in two comments made by Luke. When an angel appears to Zechariah, predicting that Elizabeth will conceive (Luke 1:12), Zechariah's response is disbelief (Luke 1:18). When she becomes pregnant, she celebrates it as wiping away her humiliating condition (Luke 1:24–25).
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