'Be fruitful and multiply,' was the blessing of God: barrenness therefore was reckoned a reproach. The intense desire of having children, observable among the Jewish women, arose not only from this reproach of barrenness, but from the hope of being the mother of the promised seed, and Him in whom all the nations of the earth were to be blessed.

Genesis 29:31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

1 Samuel 1:5,6 But to Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb...

Isaiah 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel...

Luke 1:21,25,27 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple...