Isaiah 66:7
Isaiah 66:7 in Multiple Translations
“Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy.
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child.
Before her pains came, she gave birth; before her pains, she gave birth to a man-child.
She gave birth before she went into labor, she delivered a boy before the pains came.
Before she trauailed, she brought foorth: and before her paine came, she was deliuered of a man childe.
Before she is pained she hath brought forth, Before a pang cometh to her, She hath delivered a male.
“Before she travailed, she gave birth. Before her pain came, she delivered a son.
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a male child.
Before she was in labour, she brought forth; before her time came to be delivered, she brought forth a man child.
No one [RHQ] ever heard that a woman gave birth to a baby when she was just starting to have birth pains.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 66:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 66:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ/טֶ֥רֶם
תָּחִ֖יל
יָלָ֑דָה
בְּ/טֶ֨רֶם
יָב֥וֹא
חֵ֛בֶל
לָ֖/הּ
וְ/הִמְלִ֥יטָה
זָכָֽר
בְּ/טֶ֥רֶם
ṭerem
H2962
before
Prep | Adv
תָּחִ֖יל
chûwl
H2342
to twist
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
יָלָ֑דָה
yâlad
H3205
to beget
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
בְּ/טֶ֨רֶם
ṭerem
H2962
before
Prep | Adv
יָב֥וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
חֵ֛בֶל
chebel
H2256
cord
N-ms
לָ֖/הּ
Prep | Suff
וְ/הִמְלִ֥יטָה
mâlaṭ
H4422
to escape
Conj | V-Hiphil-3fs
זָכָֽר
zâkâr
H2145
male
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 66:7
בְּ/טֶ֥רֶם
ṭerem
H2962
"before"
Prep | Adv
This word indicates something has not happened yet, or it happened before something else. It is used to show timing or sequence of events, translated as before, ere, or not yet in the KJV.
Definition: before, not yet, before that
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: before, ere, not yet. See also: Genesis 2:5; 2 Kings 6:32; Psalms 5:6.
תָּחִ֖יל
chûwl
H2342
"to twist"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to twist or whirl, and can describe dancing, pain, or fear. It is used to convey strong emotions or physical struggles, such as childbirth or great fear.
Definition: : tremble/fear 1) to twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, be in anguish, be pained 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to dance 1a2) to twist, writhe 1a3) to whirl, whirl about 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to dance 1b2) to writhe (in travail with), bear, bring forth 1b3) to wait anxiously 1c) (Pulal) 1c1) to be made to writhe, be made to bear 1c2) to be brought forth 1d) (Hophal) to be born 1e) (Hithpolel) 1e1) whirling (participle) 1e2) writhing, suffering torture (participle) 1e3) to wait longingly 1f) (Hithpalpel) to be distressed
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: bear, (make to) bring forth, (make to) calve, dance, drive away, fall grievously (with pain), fear, form, great, grieve, (be) grievous, hope, look, make, be in pain, be much (sore) pained, rest, shake, shapen, (be) sorrow(-ful), stay, tarry, travail (with pain), tremble, trust, wait carefully (patiently), be wounded. See also: Genesis 8:10; Proverbs 8:24; Psalms 10:5.
יָלָ֑דָה
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
בְּ/טֶ֨רֶם
ṭerem
H2962
"before"
Prep | Adv
This word indicates something has not happened yet, or it happened before something else. It is used to show timing or sequence of events, translated as before, ere, or not yet in the KJV.
Definition: before, not yet, before that
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: before, ere, not yet. See also: Genesis 2:5; 2 Kings 6:32; Psalms 5:6.
יָב֥וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
חֵ֛בֶל
chebel
H2256
"cord"
N-ms
A cord or rope, also a measured area of land or a group of people tied together. In the Bible, it appears in books like Joshua and Psalms. It can also mean a company or region.
Definition: 1) a cord, rope, territory, band, company 1a) a rope, cord 1b) a measuring-cord or line 1c) a measured portion, lot, part, region 1d) a band or company § destruction
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: band, coast, company, cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion, region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling. See also: Deuteronomy 3:4; Psalms 119:61; Psalms 16:6.
לָ֖/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/הִמְלִ֥יטָה
mâlaṭ
H4422
"to escape"
Conj | V-Hiphil-3fs
This verb means to escape or be delivered, like slipping away to safety. It is used in the Bible to describe people being saved from danger, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as deliver or escape.
Definition: 1) to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered 1a)(Niphal) 1a1) to slip away 1a2) to escape 1a3) to be delivered 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to lay, let slip out (of eggs) 1b2) to let escape 1b3) to deliver, save (life) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give birth to 1c2) to deliver 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to slip forth, slip out, escape 1d2) to escape
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 19:17; Psalms 41:2; Psalms 22:6.
זָכָֽר
zâkâr
H2145
"male"
Adj
This word means male, referring to men or male animals, emphasizing their importance. It is used in the Bible to distinguish between males and females. The word is often translated as 'him' or 'male' in English.
Definition: 1) male (of humans and animals) adj 2) male (of humans)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] him, male, man(child, -kind). See also: Genesis 1:27; Numbers 3:22; Isaiah 66:7.
Study Notes — Isaiah 66:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 66:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 66:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 66:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 66:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 66:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 66:7
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 66:7
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 66:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 66:7
- Sermons on Isaiah 66:7
Context — Rejoice with Jerusalem
5You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.”
6Hear the uproar from the city; listen to the voice from the temple! It is the voice of the LORD, repaying His enemies what they deserve!
7“Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy.
8Who has heard of such as this? Who has seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be delivered in an instant? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. 9Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?” says the LORD. “Or will I who deliver close the womb?” says your God.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 12:1–5 | And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and crying out in the pain and agony of giving birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars from the sky, tossing them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, ready to devour her child as soon as she gave birth. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne. |
| 2 | Isaiah 54:1 | “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. |
| 3 | Galatians 4:26 | But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. |
Isaiah 66:7 Summary
[This verse is talking about how God can do amazing and unexpected things, like a woman giving birth to a boy before she even feels any pain. It's a miracle, and it shows how powerful and loving God is, as seen in Psalm 113:3, where it says that God does great things that are unsearchable. This is similar to how God created the world and everything in it, as described in the book of Genesis, specifically Genesis 1:1-31. Just like a new baby brings joy and new life, God wants to bring new life and joy to His people, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a nation to be 'born in a day' as mentioned in the surrounding verses?
This phrase, also found in Isaiah 66:8, signifies a sudden and miraculous event, much like the birth of a child, where a nation comes into being quickly, as seen in the history of Israel, where God fulfilled His promises suddenly, as in the Exodus from Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus, specifically Exodus 12:31-42.
Is the 'she' in this verse referring to a specific person or nation?
The 'she' in Isaiah 66:7 is most likely referring to Zion, which represents the people of God, as seen in Isaiah 66:8, where it says 'Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children', indicating that God is speaking about the sudden and miraculous birth of a new era for His people, much like the promise given to Abraham in the book of Genesis, specifically Genesis 12:2-3.
How can a woman give birth before she is in labor or pain?
This verse is using a metaphor to describe the miraculous and sudden nature of God's actions, where the normal process of labor and pain is bypassed, much like the virgin birth of Jesus, as prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and fulfilled in the Gospel of Luke, specifically Luke 1:26-38, where God intervenes in a supernatural way to bring about a new creation.
What is the significance of the boy being born in this verse?
The boy being born in Isaiah 66:7 represents the new creation or the new covenant that God is bringing about, where His people will be born again, as described in the Gospel of John, specifically John 3:3-6, where Jesus teaches about being born again to see the kingdom of God, and as seen in the book of Revelation, specifically Revelation 21:1-5, where God creates a new heaven and a new earth.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God has suddenly and miraculously worked in my life, similar to the birth of a nation in a day?
- How can I, like Zion, be in labor and give birth to new spiritual life, as described in Isaiah 66:8?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's supernatural power to bring about a new creation, just like the boy being born in this verse?
- How can I, like the people of God in Isaiah 66:5, tremble at God's word and hear His voice, even in the midst of opposition and persecution?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 66:7
Before she travailed, she brought forth,.... That is, Zion, as appears from the following verse: lest it should be thought that the interest of Christ would be swallowed up and lost in the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 66:7
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. She - Zion. Before she travailed, she brought forth.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 66:7
The whole verse is expressive of a great and sudden salvation, which God would work for his church, like the delivery of a woman, and that of a man child, before her travail, and without pain. The only doubt is, whether it referreth to the deliverance of the people out of Babylon, or the world’ s surprisal with the Messiah, and the sudden and strange propagation of the gospel, and it is a question not easily determined. The delivery of the Jews out of Babylon, indeed, was without strugglings or any pain; not like their deliverance from Egypt, after the wasting of their enemies by ten successive plagues, but by the kind proclamation of Cyrus. But it seems not to have been sudden, only as to the day, and hour, and manner; for Daniel understood by books that the time was come, , and the people had a prospect of it seventy years before, 29:10. The prophecy therefore seems rather to refer to the coming of Christ, and the sudden propagation of the gospel. The popish interpreters applying it to the Virgin Mary bringing forth Christ, is like other of their fond dreams.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 66:7
Isaiah 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.Ver. 7. Before she travailed, she brought forth.] Quum nondum parturiret peperit; understand it of Zion, or of the Church Christian, which receiveth her children, that is, converts, suddenly on a cluster before she thought to have done, and in far greater numbers than she could ever have believed. That lady that brought forth as many at a birth as are days in the year was nothing to her: nor those Hebrew women. She was delivered of a man child.] For the which there is so great joy, and which is usually more able and active than a woman child. So, good and bold Christians, strong in faith; unless he meaneth Christ himself, saith Diodat, who is formed by faith in every believer’ s heart. Subito ac simul. Suddenly and at the same time. Margaret, Countess of Henneburg.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 66:7
(7) Before she travailed . . .—The mother, as the next verse shows, is Zion; the man-child, born at last without the travail-pangs of sorrow, is the new Israel, the true Israel of God. The same figure has met us in Isaiah 49:17-21; Isaiah 54:1, and is implied in Matthew 24:8. Its antithesis is found in Isaiah 37:3.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 66:7
7–9. The sudden repopulation of the city by her children. The figure is taken from ch. Isaiah 49:17-21, Isaiah 54:1; the fact set forth being the instantaneous return of the exiled Israelites, by which, without effort, the poor and struggling Jewish community becomes at once a great nation.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 66:7
Before she travailed, she brought forth - That is, Zion. The idea here is, that there would be a great and sudden increase of her numbers.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 66:7
7-9. Before she — That is, Zion. Before she came to such throes as described above, she brought forth a man child. Some suppose the birth of Jesus Christ is here intended.
Sermons on Isaiah 66:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Isaiah Chapter 66 by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Isaiah and its message of redemption. He emphasizes that despite God's love for the children of Israel, they rebelled against Him |
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The Travail of the Soul by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of soul travail and how it doesn't fit into the materialistic society we live in. He uses the example of Jacob in Genesis 32, who |
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How Righteousness Works Out by Robert B. Thompson | In this sermon, the preacher criticizes the belief that salvation is solely based on faith in a sovereign and unconditional Christ. He argues that this belief is not scriptural and |
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Our Day of Visitation by Robert B. Thompson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus and being connected to Him. He warns against becoming complacent or distracted, |
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Secrets of Soulwinning by R. Stanley | R. Stanley preaches on the significance of soulwinning, emphasizing its importance as the greatest job on earth, the wisest business, the happiest occupation, the loftiest mission |
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Daniel as a Type of Godly Remnant by Reggie Kelly | Reggie Kelly delves into the critical and timely revelations found in the book of Daniel, emphasizing the importance of understanding prophetic interpretations and the significance |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:7-12 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the dreams of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Joseph had two dreams where his family members, including his parents and brothers, bowed dow |