Wom(b)an -- (In)fertility in the ancient Near East -- (In)fertility in the Akan culture -- Biological barrenness -- Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel: beautiful and barren -- Infertility in the former prophets -- Social barrenness -- Leah and Michal: estranged wives -- Dinah and Princess Tamar: violated women -- Tamar and Naomi-Ruth: widows.