King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 30:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 30:6 in the King James Version says “Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? a man: Heb. a male

Jeremiah 30:6 · KJV


Context

4

And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.

5

For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. of fear: or, there is fear, and not peace

6

Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? a man: Heb. a male

7

Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

8

For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Whether a man doth travail with child? (הֲיֹלֵד זָכָר)—This shocking rhetorical question uses impossible imagery to describe unprecedented anguish. Men (zakar, male) experiencing childbirth (yalad, to bear) violates nature, emphasizing the unnaturalness of 'Jacob's trouble.' Warriors, trained for battle, reduced to birth-labor posture—hands on loins, faces pale—depicts total helplessness.

All faces are turned into paleness (וְנֶהְפְּכוּ כָּל־פָּנִים לְיֵרָקוֹן)—The Hebrew yeraqon (paleness, greenish-yellow) describes the color of mortal terror. This isn't ordinary fear but existential dread before inescapable judgment. Yet Jeremiah frames catastrophe in birth imagery—pain with purpose, labor that produces life. The 'trouble' (צָרָה, tsarah, v. 7) isn't merely punitive but productive, birthpangs of national restoration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah prophesied during Jerusalem's death throes—siege, starvation, cannibalism (Lamentations 2:20, 4:10). The image captures warriors and nobles reduced to helpless terror. This became paradigmatic for describing end-time tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does reframing catastrophe as birthpangs change your perspective on suffering with purpose?
  2. What impossible situations in your life might be labor pains of something new God is birthing?
  3. How do you maintain hope when faced with fears that reduce you to complete helplessness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
שַׁאֲלוּ1 of 18

Ask

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

נָ֣א2 of 18
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

רָאִ֨יתִי3 of 18

wherefore do I see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אִם4 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

כַּיּ֣וֹלֵדָ֔ה5 of 18

as a woman in travail

H3205

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

זָכָ֑ר6 of 18

whether a man

H2145

properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)

מַדּוּעַ֩7 of 18
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

רָאִ֨יתִי8 of 18

wherefore do I see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כָל9 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גֶּ֜בֶר10 of 18

every man

H1397

properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply

יָדָ֤יו11 of 18

with his hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל12 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חֲלָצָיו֙13 of 18

on his loins

H2504

the loins (as the seat of vigor)

כַּיּ֣וֹלֵדָ֔ה14 of 18

as a woman in travail

H3205

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

וְנֶהֶפְכ֥וּ15 of 18

are turned

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

כָל16 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

פָּנִ֖ים17 of 18

and all 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

לְיֵרָקֽוֹן׃18 of 18

into paleness

H3420

paleness, whether of persons (from fright), or of plants (from drought)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 30:6 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 Jeremiah 30:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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