Isaiah Chapter 26 · Verse 17
Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.
Original Language Analysis
תַּקְרִ֣יב
that draweth near
H7126
תַּקְרִ֣יב
that draweth near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
3 of 11
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
לָלֶ֔דֶת
the time of her delivery
H3205
לָלֶ֔דֶת
the time of her delivery
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
4 of 11
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
תָּחִ֥יל
is in pain
H2342
תָּחִ֥יל
is in pain
Strong's:
H2342
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
תִּזְעַ֖ק
and crieth out
H2199
תִּזְעַ֖ק
and crieth out
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
6 of 11
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
כֵּ֛ן
H3651
כֵּ֛ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הָיִ֥ינוּ
H1961
הָיִ֥ינוּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Isaiah 13:8And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.John 16:21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.Isaiah 21:3Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.1 Thessalonians 5:3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Historical Context
The childbirth metaphor would resonate deeply with Isaiah's audience, for whom childbirth was both hoped-for blessing and dangerous ordeal. High maternal and infant mortality made labor a life-threatening crisis. Isaiah uses this image to describe Israel's national suffering under Assyrian and Babylonian threats. The people endured tremendous pain but failed to produce deliverance. Only Messiah's birth pangs (His suffering) would accomplish salvation. Jesus uses similar imagery in Matthew 24:8, describing tribulations as 'beginning of sorrows' (literally 'birth pains').
Questions for Reflection
- How does the childbirth metaphor help us understand that suffering can be purposeful and productive, leading to new life?
- What's the difference between suffering that produces spiritual fruit and suffering that remains fruitless (as in verse 18)?
- How does Christ's suffering as 'labor pains' for the new creation encourage endurance during trials?
Analysis & Commentary
Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs (כְּמוֹ הָרָה תַּקְרִיב לָלֶדֶת תָּחִיל תִּזְעַק בַּחֲבָלֶיהָ / kemo harah taqriv laledet tachil tiz'aq bachavaleiha)—The childbirth metaphor appears frequently in prophetic literature for suffering that precedes new life (Jeremiah 4:31, Micah 4:9-10, John 16:21). The verb חוּל (chul, "to writhe, be in pain") and חֶבֶל (chevel, "labor pains") emphasize intense suffering. Yet labor pains are purposeful—they deliver new life.
So have we been in thy sight, O LORD (כֵּן־הָיִינוּ מִפָּנֶיךָ יְהוָה / ken-hayinu mipanekha YHWH)—But verse 18 reveals the tragedy: Israel's labor produced only wind, not deliverance. Their suffering proved unfruitful because it lacked faith. Contrast this with 26:19's resurrection hope—God Himself will bring forth life. Human striving cannot produce salvation; only God's intervention can.