King James Version

What Does Isaiah 26:17 Mean?

Isaiah 26:17 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 26:17 · KJV

Context

15

Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth.

16

LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. prayer: Heb. secret speech

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.

18

We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

19

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Read Isaiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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').

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the childbirth metaphor help us understand that suffering can be purposeful and productive, leading to new life?
  2. What's the difference between suffering that produces spiritual fruit and suffering that remains fruitless (as in verse 18)?
  3. How does Christ's suffering as 'labor pains' for the new creation encourage endurance during trials?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
כְּמ֤וֹ1 of 11

“Like”

H3644

as, thus, so

הָרָה֙2 of 11

“as a woman with child”

H2030

pregnant

תַּקְרִ֣יב3 of 11

“that draweth near”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

לָלֶ֔דֶת4 of 11

“the time of her delivery”

H3205

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

תָּחִ֥יל5 of 11

“is 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

תִּזְעַ֖ק6 of 11

“and crieth out”

H2199

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

בַּחֲבָלֶ֑יהָ7 of 11

“in her pangs”

H2256

ruin

כֵּ֛ן8 of 11
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הָיִ֥ינוּ9 of 11
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִפָּנֶ֖יךָ10 of 11

“so have we been in thy sight”

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

יְהוָֽה׃11 of 11

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 26:17 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 26:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 16:21Isaiah 21:3Isaiah 13:8Jeremiah 4:311 Thessalonians 5:3Jeremiah 6:24

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