King James Version

What Does Isaiah 26:18 Mean?

Isaiah 26:18 in the King James Version says “We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliveranc...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 26:18 · KJV

Context

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.

20

Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

Read Isaiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind. This poignant metaphor employs childbirth imagery to express Israel's spiritual futility and disappointment. The Hebrew harah (הָרָה, "with child") and chul (חוּל, "writhe in pain") describe the intense labor and expectation of bringing forth new life. Yet the devastating conclusion—"brought forth wind" (ruach, רוּחַ)—reveals that all their efforts produced nothing substantial, only empty breath.

The confession "we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth" uses yeshuah (יְשׁוּעָה, "salvation/deliverance"), acknowledging human inability to accomplish redemption through self-effort. The parallel phrase "neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen" means Israel failed to conquer their enemies or establish God's kingdom through their own strength. This represents profound theological humility—recognizing that spiritual fruit comes only through divine enablement, not human striving.

This verse establishes critical truths: (1) religious activity without God's empowerment produces nothing eternal; (2) genuine salvation comes from God alone, not human effort; (3) spiritual labor must be God-directed and God-empowered to bear fruit; (4) honest self-assessment reveals our absolute dependence on divine grace. Jesus echoed this in John 15:5: "without me ye can do nothing."

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah 26 constitutes a prophetic song of praise anticipating Judah's future deliverance and restoration. Written against the backdrop of Assyrian threats (8th century BCE), this chapter contrasts the strong city God provides (26:1) with human attempts at security and deliverance that fail. The childbirth metaphor was common in ancient Near Eastern literature to describe both hope and disappointment, creative effort and futility.

Israel's history repeatedly demonstrated the pattern described here: zealous religious activity (sacrifices, festivals, prayers) coupled with moral failure and idolatry produced no lasting deliverance from enemies or spiritual transformation. The Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria (722 BCE) despite religious fervor; Judah would later fall to Babylon (586 BCE) despite temple worship. Human religiosity without genuine repentance and reliance on God proved worthless.

This confession anticipates the gospel truth that salvation comes through God's provision, not human achievement. The barren womb motif appears throughout Scripture (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth), always requiring divine intervention to bring forth life. Historically, Israel's exile and restoration demonstrated that God alone could accomplish what human effort never could—genuine spiritual renewal and covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas of your spiritual life are you laboring in the flesh rather than depending on God's power and grace?
  2. How does this honest confession of futility challenge contemporary emphasis on human potential and self-improvement?
  3. What does it mean practically to acknowledge that "without Christ we can do nothing" in your daily ministry and relationships?
  4. How can you distinguish between Spirit-empowered service and mere religious activity that produces only "wind"?
  5. In what ways does understanding human inability to accomplish salvation deepen your gratitude for God's gracious provision of redemption through Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
הָרִ֣ינוּ1 of 13

“We have been with child”

H2029

to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)

חַ֔לְנוּ2 of 13

“we have been 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

כְּמ֖וֹ3 of 13

“we have as it were”

H3644

as, thus, so

יָלַ֣דְנוּ4 of 13

“brought forth”

H3205

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

ר֑וּחַ5 of 13

“wind”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

יְשׁוּעֹת֙6 of 13

“any deliverance”

H3444

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

וּבַֽל7 of 13

“neither”

H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

נַ֣עֲשֶׂה8 of 13

“we have not wrought”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶ֔רֶץ9 of 13

“in the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּבַֽל10 of 13

“neither”

H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

יִפְּל֖וּ11 of 13

“fallen”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

יֹשְׁבֵ֥י12 of 13

“have the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

תֵבֵֽל׃13 of 13

“of the world”

H8398

the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a particular land, as babylonia,

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 26:18 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 26:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 13:13Psalms 17:142 Kings 19:3Isaiah 59:4Isaiah 37:3Isaiah 33:11

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