The Virgin Mary’s fame arises from her unique, God-given position as the Mother of God, a mysterious paradoxical relationship recognized in the early church, as expressed by Ephrem the Syrian. Her pregnancy, which is where her story begins in scripture, is the first of many paradoxes. Unlike barren Hebrew women, such as Sara, Hannah, and Elizabeth, who were married and matronly when they conceived, Mary was youthful and virginal. Moreover, neither scripture nor legend portray Mary as a charismatic leader, such as the Hebrew heroines Esther, Deborah, and Judith. Instead, she leads a chiefly quiet, often contemplative, traditional female life.