Author:

Abstract:

It is a truism that marriage is deeply appreciated in Africa. This, among others, is rooted in Africans' love of children. In most African societies, the begetting of children is a social and religious duty attached to marriage and is vital to it. Bearing of children is an end of marriage upon which the wellbeing of the spouse depends. A successful marriage should be "fruitful." As a result, marriage becomes a big challenge when it is "childless." Due to the patriarchal nature of most African societies, it is the women that often bear the brunt of childlessness in marriage. By embarking on a contextual reading of Genesis 38 and applying its theological implications to an African context, this article joins many concerned individuals in suggesting more informed reactions and solutions to the so-called grave problem of childlessness in marriage