²³ She became pregnant and gave birth to a son. “God has removed my disgrace,” she said.

²⁵ “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

²⁷ to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.

Jacob’s Many Children

³¹ When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children, but Rachel could not conceive.

4 In that day so few men will be left that seven women will fight for each man, saying, “Let us all marry you! We will provide our own food and clothing. Only let us take your name so we won’t be mocked as old maids.”

⁵ And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion^[a] because the Lord had given her no children. ⁶ So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children.

²¹ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long.