King James Version

What Does Isaiah 13:8 Mean?

Isaiah 13:8 in the King James Version says “And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: t...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And 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. be amazed: Heb. wonder one: Heb. every man at his neighbour flames: Heb. faces of the flames”

Isaiah 13:8 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

6

Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

7

Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: be faint: or, fall down

8

And 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. be amazed: Heb. wonder one: Heb. every man at his neighbour flames: Heb. faces of the flames

9

Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

10

For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

Read Isaiah 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Terror seizes Babylon's inhabitants: pangs and sorrows like a woman in labor, amazement at each other, faces aflame with shock and fear. The childbirth metaphor describes sudden, intense, unavoidable agony. 'They shall be amazed one at another' suggests mutual shock and helplessness—no one can help anyone else. 'Faces shall be as flames' indicates either shame, terror, or the glow of burning city. This depicts comprehensive panic when God's judgment strikes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Fulfilled when Babylon fell to Persia (539 BC). Belshazzar's feast (Daniel 5) shows this terror—the king's face changed, joints loosened, knees knocked. The sudden conquest produced panic as prophesied. The imagery also applies to all sudden divine judgments throughout history and ultimately final judgment when terror seizes the wicked. The labor metaphor indicates unavoidable suffering with sudden onset.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the childbirth metaphor illustrate the sudden, intense nature of divine judgment?
  2. What does mutual amazement and helplessness teach about judgment's comprehensive nature?
  3. How should certainty of coming judgment produce urgency in our evangelism and holy living?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְֽנִבְהָ֓לוּ׀1 of 13

“And they shall be afraid”

H926

to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously

צִירִ֤ים2 of 13

“pangs”

H6735

a throe (as a phys. or mental pressure)

וַֽחֲבָלִים֙3 of 13

“and sorrows”

H2256

ruin

יֹֽאחֵז֔וּן4 of 13

“shall take hold”

H270

to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

כַּיּוֹלֵדָ֖ה5 of 13

“as a woman that travaileth”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

יְחִיל֑וּן6 of 13

“of them they shall be in pain”

H2342

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

אִ֤ישׁ7 of 13

“one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶל8 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙9 of 13

“at another”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

יִתְמָ֔הוּ10 of 13

“they shall be amazed”

H8539

to be in consternation

פְּנֵיהֶֽם׃11 of 13

“their faces”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לְהָבִ֖ים12 of 13

“shall be as flames”

H3851

a flash; figuratively, a sharply polished blade or point of a weapon

פְּנֵיהֶֽם׃13 of 13

“their faces”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 13:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 13:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 26:171 Thessalonians 5:3Nahum 2:10Isaiah 21:3-4Joel 2:6Jeremiah 4:31

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