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MISCARRIAGE
Spontaneous abortion of a nonviable fetus. It occurs in both human (Jb 3:16; Hos 9:14) and animal (Gn 31:38; Jb 21:10) pregnancies. The major problem is not in being unable to conceive or to become pregnant but in carrying the pregnancy to full term. The curse of a “miscarrying womb” results in not being able to have children (Hos 9:14), while the blessing of God results in successful pregnancies and long life (Ex 23:26).
The time factor is the key abnormality as indicated by premature delivery or “untimely birth” (Ps 58:8; Jb 3:16). While miscarriages occur for many reasons, Scripture mentions two: improper care (in animals) (Gn 31:38) and trauma to a pregnant woman (Ex 21:22).
Numbers 5 gives the test for an unfaithful wife. If she is guilty of adultery, then “her abdomen will swell and her thigh waste away” (v 27, niv). These phrases may be euphemisms for miscarriage or for sterility (see NLT).
Paul underscores his inherent unworthiness to be an apostle by comparing his spiritual birth to an untimely physical birth (1 Cor 15:8).
See also Barrenness.