Isaiah 66:8
Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 22
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
שָׁמַ֣ע
Who hath heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֣ע
Who hath heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 22
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מִ֤י
H4310
מִ֤י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
4 of 22
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
רָאָה֙
such a thing who hath seen
H7200
רָאָה֙
such a thing who hath seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
5 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
חָ֛לָה
be made to bring forth
H2342
חָ֛לָה
be made to bring forth
Strong's:
H2342
Word #:
7 of 22
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
אֶ֙רֶץ֙
such things Shall the earth
H776
אֶ֙רֶץ֙
such things Shall the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
8 of 22
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
בְּי֣וֹם
day
H3117
בְּי֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
9 of 22
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
11 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יָלְדָ֥ה
be born
H3205
יָלְדָ֥ה
be born
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
12 of 22
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
גּ֖וֹי
or shall a nation
H1471
גּ֖וֹי
or shall a nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
13 of 22
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
פַּ֣עַם
at once
H6471
פַּ֣עַם
at once
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
14 of 22
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חָ֛לָה
be made to bring forth
H2342
חָ֛לָה
be made to bring forth
Strong's:
H2342
Word #:
17 of 22
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
גַּם
for as soon as
H1571
גַּם
for as soon as
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
יָלְדָ֥ה
be born
H3205
יָלְדָ֥ה
be born
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
19 of 22
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
צִיּ֖וֹן
Zion
H6726
צִיּ֖וֹן
Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
20 of 22
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
Cross References
Isaiah 64:4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.1 Corinthians 2:9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Historical Context
The post-exilic community struggled with slow, difficult rebuilding. God promised miraculous reversal—instantaneous fulfillment when His time came. Pentecost began fulfillment: the Spirit birthed the church in power, adding thousands rapidly (Acts 2:41, 4:4, 5:14, 6:7). Throughout church history, revivals have demonstrated this principle—seasons when God works with unusual power, accomplishing in days what took years before. Complete fulfillment awaits Christ's return when the full number of the elect is instantaneously gathered and transformed (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Pentecost demonstrate a 'nation being born at once'?
- What does this teach about the power of sovereign grace to accomplish the impossible?
- How should this promise affect our expectations regarding God's timing and methods in kingdom work?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Rhetorical questions express astonishment at rapid fulfillment: "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once?" The Hebrew ka'zot (such a thing) and kaeleh (such things) emphasize the unprecedented nature of what follows. The questions build—can earth bring forth in one day? Can a nation be born at once? These seem impossible. Then comes the answer: "for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." Using birth imagery, God promises that Zion's travail (the Hebrew chalah suggests labor pains) immediately produces birth. No extended labor—immediate delivery. From a Reformed perspective, this prophesies the rapid expansion of God's kingdom. At Pentecost, 3,000 were added in one day (Acts 2:41). The church grew explosively throughout Acts. What seemed impossible—a nation born instantly—occurred as the Spirit birthed the church. This illustrates sovereign grace's power to accomplish in moments what humans couldn't achieve in years.