Isaiah 26 17

Isaiah 26:17 kjv

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 nkjv

As a woman with child Is in pain and cries out in her pangs, When she draws near the time of her delivery, So have we been in Your sight, O LORD.

Isaiah 26:17 niv

As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we in your presence, LORD.

Isaiah 26:17 esv

Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O LORD;

Isaiah 26:17 nlt

Just as a pregnant woman
writhes and cries out in pain as she gives birth,
so were we in your presence, LORD.

Isaiah 26 verses

Isaiah 26 17 meaning

Isaiah 26:17 uses a vivid metaphor to describe the intense suffering and distress of God's people, comparing their agonizing experience to that of a pregnant woman in the throes of labor. Their cries and struggles are directed to the Lord, indicating that their suffering is deeply felt in His presence, serving as both a desperate plea for deliverance and an acknowledgment of their condition before Him. This profound anguish carries an underlying hope, as birth pangs, despite their severity, lead to new life and a desired outcome.

Isaiah 26 17 Context

Isaiah 26 is part of a larger section (chapters 24-27) often referred to as "Isaiah's Apocalypse," a prophetic song depicting God's judgment on the world and His ultimate salvation for His faithful people. Chapter 26 itself is a song of triumph and trust, looking beyond present affliction to a future time when the righteous will dwell in safety and peace under God's righteous rule, and the wicked will be judged. The immediate context of verse 17, and the verses surrounding it, reflects on the community's past or present suffering (the "we") – their prayers, their dependence on God amidst distress, and their longing for His restorative power, even as they failed to bring forth lasting results in their own strength. Historically, this chapter resonates with the experiences of Judah, especially during times of foreign oppression, siege, or exile, where they endured national tribulation that prompted deep repentance and reliance on God.

Isaiah 26 17 Word analysis

• As a pregnant woman (כְּהָרָה - k'harah): The Hebrew word k'harah combines the preposition 'as' (כְּ - ke) with 'pregnant woman' (הָרָה - harah). This initiates a profound simile, likening the collective suffering of God's people to the intense, natural process of childbearing, which is agonizing yet typically culminates in new life.
• about to give birth (תַּקְרִ֤יב לָלֶ֙דֶת֙ - takriv laledet): Takriv (bring near/draw near) and laledet (to give birth) emphasize the immediacy and inevitability of the impending event. It is not mere pregnancy, but the peak of the labor, where pain is at its maximum and the culmination is imminent.
• writhes (תָּחִ֣יל - tachil): From the root חוּל (chul), meaning to writhe, tremble, be in pain, or even bring forth. This word powerfully conveys intense physical contortion and deep anguish, characteristic of labor. It indicates a visceral, unavoidable suffering.
• and cries out (תִּזְעַ֣ק - tiz'aq): From זָעַק (za'aq), meaning to cry, shout, or call for help. This highlights the vocal expression of extreme distress and desperation, often an appeal for intervention in severe circumstances.
• in her pain (בְּצִרֶ֔יהָ - b'tzireha): Combines 'in' (בְּ - be) with 'her pains/pangs' (צִרֶיהָ - tzireha), from the root צרר (tsarar), which signifies narrowness, distress, trouble, or straits. It speaks of the specific, overwhelming nature of birth pains as well as general tribulation.
• so were we (כֵּ֤ן הָיִ֥ינוּ - ken hayinu): Ken (so, thus) creates a direct, emphatic comparison. Hayinu (we were) affirms that the simile perfectly mirrors the experience of the speakers, signifying a collective identity in this shared agony. "We" represents the faithful remnant or the community of Israel.
• in your presence (מִפָּנֶ֖יךָ - mipanekha): From פָּנֶה (paneh), face or presence, combined with the prefix 'from' or 'in front of' (מִ - mi). This phrase holds significant depth:
  • It implies the suffering is witnessed directly by God, making it not unnoticed.
  • It can suggest the suffering is by God's decree or permission, possibly as discipline.
  • Crucially, it denotes an appeal to God, pouring out their distress directly before Him.
• O Lord (יְהוָֽה - YHVH): The sacred, covenantal name of God. This designation identifies the sovereign recipient of their cries and the ultimate authority governing their circumstances, reinforcing that their suffering is not random but within their covenant relationship with God.

• "As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain": This extended simile establishes the profound intensity, physical nature, and vocal expression of the people's suffering. It's a vivid picture of unbearable agony, a universally understood form of extreme, purposeful distress that looks forward to an outcome.
• "so were we in your presence, O Lord": This segment connects the harrowing image directly to the community of faith and positions their entire experience within the context of their relationship with YHVH. Their agony is not a hidden affliction but a lament made before the Almighty, signifying dependence, desperate prayer, and the hope that God will respond to their distress witnessed by Him.

Isaiah 26 17 Bonus section

The "birth pangs" metaphor used here is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, often signifying intense tribulation or the onset of major world-changing events, particularly those associated with the coming of the Messiah or the end of the age. While physically painful, these pains inherently carry a promise of future joy and deliverance, transforming sorrow into ultimate rejoicing. In the New Testament, Jesus himself uses this imagery to describe the difficult period preceding His second coming (Mt 24:8), affirming the prophetic and redemptive nature of such suffering. This underscores that trials endured by God's people are not arbitrary but are part of a divine process leading to a glorious new era or spiritual outcome, guided and observed by God Himself.

Isaiah 26 17 Commentary

Isaiah 26:17 presents a powerful and deeply evocative image of Israel's collective anguish, likening it to the unbearable pain of a woman giving birth. This metaphor is rich with meaning, portraying a suffering that is both intense and purposeful. It highlights the desperate and often vocal cries of God's people as they endure severe trials, acknowledged as taking place directly "in God's presence," before His very eyes. This suffering, while agonizing, carries an inherent promise, as birth pains ultimately lead to the arrival of new life. Therefore, the verse expresses the fervent hope for a future spiritual rebirth or national restoration for Israel, a transformation that must pass through the crucible of profound tribulation before God will bring forth His intended salvation. It captures a moment of utter dependency and desperate appeal to the Lord during what feels like the ultimate breaking point.