Sarah's Legacy and the Consolation of Zion

"Sing, O barren one." [1] "He sets the barren woman of the house as a joyful mother of children" (Psalms 113:9). There are seven barren women: Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah, and the wife of Manoah, and Hannah, and Zion. Another interpretation: "He sets the barren woman of the house" (ibid.) refers to our mother Sarah, "And Sarai was barren" (Genesis 11:30). "A joyful mother of children" (Psalms ibid.) refers to "Sarah has nursed children" (Genesis 21:7). Another interpretation: "He sets the barren woman of the house" (Psalms ibid.) refers to Rebekah, "And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren" (Genesis 25:21). "A joyful mother of children" (Psalms ibid.): "And the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived" (Genesis ibid.). Another interpretation: "He sets the barren woman of the house" (Psalms ibid.) refers to Leah, "And the LORD saw that Leah was hated, and He opened her womb" (Genesis 29:31) -- from here that Leah was barren. "A joyful mother of children" (Psalms ibid.): "for I have borne him six sons" (Genesis 30:20). Another interpretation: "He sets the barren woman of the house" (Psalms ibid.) refers to Rachel, "and Rachel was barren" (Genesis 29:31). "A joyful mother of children" (Psalms ibid.): "the sons of Rachel, Joseph and Benjamin" (Genesis 35:24). Another interpretation: "He sets the barren woman of the house" (Psalms ibid.) refers to the wife of Manoah, "And the angel of the LORD appeared to the woman, and said to her, Behold now, you are barren and have not borne" (Judges 13:3). "A joyful mother of children" (Psalms ibid.): "and you shall conceive and bear a son" (Judges ibid.). Another interpretation: "He sets the barren woman of the house" (Psalms 113:9) refers to Hannah, "And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children" (1 Samuel 1:2). "A joyful mother of children" (Psalms 113:9): "and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters" (1 Samuel 2:21). Another interpretation: "He sets the barren woman of the house" (Psalms ibid.) refers to Zion, "Sing, O barren one who did not bear" (Isaiah 54:1). "A joyful mother of children": "and you will say in your heart, Who has borne me these, [and the rest]" (Isaiah 49:21).