The main purpose of a woman's life during biblical times was to marry and bear children. Children were the hope of the future and the promise of a strong Hebrew nation that could fight off its enemies. Barren women sought God's grace, believing that only the Lord had the power to open or close a woman's womb. Psalm 127 addressed the importance of children as “…an heritage of the Lord…,” noting that, “…the fruit of the womb is his reward.” God made many barren women fertile, and gave special children to others, according to the Old Testament.