childless

Everyday

Childless means having no children. tree →

In the lessons

in tales, an old couple with no child who longs for one.

Examples

• The childless queen wished for a baby. tree →
• Many childless couples adopt a child. tree →
• The old people were sad because they were childless. tree →

Note

nothing for maths.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, being childless was a great sorrow, as in Abram's complaint to God. In Leviticus it is also a punishment for forbidden marriages.

Interpretation. Abraham and Sarah, Rachel and Hannah are the well-known childless parents in the tradition. Their prayers and later children show that God answers those who wait.

Examples

• And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless. (Torah LEV.20.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife — he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness — they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. (Torah LEV.20.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Abram said: 'O Lord GOD, what wilt Thou give me, seeing I go hence childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?' (Torah GEN.15.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Samuel said: As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. (Prophets 1SA.15.33, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thus saith the LORD: Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days; for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah. (Prophets JER.22.30, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

nothing for maths.