Isaiah 66:8

Isaiah 66:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Who 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.

King James Version KJV

Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

American Standard Version ASV

Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? shall a nation be brought forth at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

Bible in Basic English BBE

When has such a story come to men's ears? who has seen such things? will a land come to birth in one day? will a nation be given birth in a minute? For when Zion's pains came on her, she gave birth to her children straight away.

Free Bible Version FBV

Who has ever heard of anything like this? Who has seen this kind of thing before? Can a country be delivered in a day, can a nation be born in a moment? Yet as soon as Zion went into labor, she gave birth to her children.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seene such things? shall ye earth be brought forth in one day? or shall a nation be borne at once? for assoone as Zion trauailed, she brought foorth her children.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Who hath heard anything like this? Who hath seen anything like these? Is earth caused to bring forth in one day? Born is a nation at once? For she hath been pained, Zion also hath borne her sons.

World English Bible WEB

Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she gave birth to her children.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Who hath ever heard such a thing? and who hath seen the like to this? shall the earth bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be brought forth at once, because Sion hath been in labour, and hath brought forth her children?

Translation for Translators T4T

Certainly no one [RHQ] ever heard about such a thing happening, and no one has ever seen it happen. Similarly, no one ever [RHQ] heard that a nation was created in one instant, not even in one day. But Jerusalem is like [MET] a woman who gives birth to children as soon as she starts to have birth pains.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 66:8

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 66:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB מִֽי שָׁמַ֣ע כָּ/זֹ֗את מִ֤י רָאָה֙ כָּ/אֵ֔לֶּה הֲ/י֤וּחַל אֶ֨רֶץ֙ בְּ/י֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד אִם יִוָּ֥לֵֽד גּ֖וֹי פַּ֣עַם אֶחָ֑ת כִּֽי חָ֛לָה גַּם יָלְדָ֥ה צִיּ֖וֹן אֶת בָּנֶֽי/הָ

מִֽי mîy H4310 who? Part

שָׁמַ֣ע shâmaʻ H8085 to hear V-Qal-Perf-3ms

כָּ/זֹ֗את zôʼth H2063 this Prep | Pron

מִ֤י mîy H4310 who? Part

רָאָה֙ râʼâh H7200 Provider V-Qal-Perf-3ms

כָּ/אֵ֔לֶּה ʼêl-leh H428 these Prep | Pron

הֲ/י֤וּחַל chûwl H2342 to twist Part | V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms

אֶ֨רֶץ֙ ʼerets H776 land N-cs

בְּ/י֣וֹם yôwm H3117 day Prep | N-ms

אֶחָ֔ד ʼechâd H259 one Adj

אִם ʼim H518 if Conj

יִוָּ֥לֵֽד yâlad H3205 to beget V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms

גּ֖וֹי gôwy H1471 Gentile N-ms

פַּ֣עַם paʻam H6471 beat N-fs

אֶחָ֑ת ʼechâd H259 one Adj

כִּֽי kîy H3588 for Conj

חָ֛לָה chûwl H2342 to twist V-Qal-Perf-3fs

גַּם gam H1571 also DirObjM

יָלְדָ֥ה yâlad H3205 to beget V-Qal-Perf-3fs

צִיּ֖וֹן Tsîyôwn H6726 Zion N-proper

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

בָּנֶֽי/הָ bên H1121 son N-mp | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 66:8

מִֽי mîy H4310 "who?" Part

This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.

Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.

שָׁמַ֣ע shâmaʻ H8085 "to hear" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.

Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound

Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.

כָּ/זֹ֗את zôʼth H2063 "this" Prep | Pron

This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.

מִ֤י mîy H4310 "who?" Part

Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

רָאָה֙ râʼâh H7200 "Provider" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.

Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after

Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.

כָּ/אֵ֔לֶּה ʼêl-leh H428 "these" Prep | Pron

This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.

Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)

Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.

הֲ/י֤וּחַל chûwl H2342 "to twist" Part | V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms

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.

אֶ֨רֶץ֙ ʼerets H776 "land" N-cs

The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.

Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

בְּ/י֣וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

אֶחָ֔ד ʼechâd H259 "one" Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.

Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)

Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.

אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj

This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.

Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather

Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.

יִוָּ֥לֵֽד yâlad H3205 "to beget" V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms

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.

גּ֖וֹי gôwy H1471 "Gentile" N-ms

This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.

Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.

פַּ֣עַם paʻam H6471 "beat" N-fs

This word refers to a beat or stroke, like a footstep or a blow. It can also mean a time or occurrence, and is used in the Bible to describe things like a single step or a repeated action.

Definition: 1) stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence 1a) foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep 1b) anvil 1c) occurrence, time, stroke, beat 1c1) one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another

Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel. See also: Genesis 2:23; 1 Samuel 3:10; Psalms 17:5.

אֶחָ֑ת ʼechâd H259 "one" Adj

כִּֽי kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

חָ֛לָה chûwl H2342 "to twist" V-Qal-Perf-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.

גַּם gam H1571 "also" DirObjM

Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.

Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike

Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.

יָלְדָ֥ה yâlad H3205 "to beget" V-Qal-Perf-3fs

צִיּ֖וֹן Tsîyôwn H6726 "Zion" N-proper

Zion refers to a mountain in Jerusalem, often used as another name for the city, especially in prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Definition: Zion = "parched place" another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: Zion. See also: 2 Samuel 5:7; Isaiah 49:14; Psalms 2:6.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

בָּנֶֽי/הָ bên H1121 "son" N-mp | Suff

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

Study Notes — Isaiah 66:8

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Context
Cross References
Isaiah 66:8 Summary
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Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 66:8
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Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 66:8
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 66:8
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 66:8
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 66:8
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 66:8
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Sermons on Isaiah 66:8

Context — Rejoice with Jerusalem

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. 10Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her, all who love her. Rejoice greatly with her, all who mourn over her,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 64:4	From ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
2	Isaiah 49:20–22	Yet the children of your bereavement will say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; make room for us to live here.’ Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’” This is what the Lord GOD says: “Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and raise My banner to the peoples. They will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.
3	Romans 15:18–21	I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”
4	1 Corinthians 2:9	Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
5	Acts 21:20	When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.
6	Acts 2:41	Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.
7	Acts 4:4	But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

Isaiah 66:8 Summary

Isaiah 66:8 is a remarkable verse that shows how God can do the impossible. It asks if a country can be born in just one day, or if a nation can be delivered in an instant. The answer is yes, because God can make it happen, just like He did for Zion. This reminds us of God's power and love, as seen in verses like Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 37:5, where He promises to care for and deliver His people in amazing ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the question 'Can a country be born in a day or a nation be delivered in an instant?' in Isaiah 66:8?

This question emphasizes the miraculous nature of God's deliverance, highlighting His power to accomplish great things in a short amount of time, as seen in Isaiah 66:7 where a nation is born before going into labor.

How does this verse relate to the concept of the birth of a nation?

The verse illustrates the supernatural birth of a nation, where God brings about the delivery of a people in a sudden and miraculous way, much like the prophecy of a virgin giving birth in Isaiah 7:14.

What is the meaning of 'Zion was in labor' in this context?

Zion's labor refers to the struggles and hardships faced by God's people, but even in the midst of these challenges, God brings about a swift and miraculous deliverance, as promised in Isaiah 40:31.

How does this verse demonstrate God's power and sovereignty?

The verse showcases God's ability to accomplish the impossible, giving birth to a nation in an instant, which demonstrates His power and sovereignty over all things, as stated in Psalm 115:3 and Jeremiah 32:17.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which I have experienced God's sudden and miraculous deliverance in my life, and how can I trust Him for more?
How can I apply the principle of God's supernatural power to my current challenges and struggles, and what does this mean for my faith?
What does this verse teach me about God's heart for His people, and how can I respond to His love and care for me?
In what ways can I be a part of God's plan to bring about a 'birth' of new life and spiritual renewal in my community, and what role can I play in this process?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 66:8

Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things?.... Such numerous conversions, as after related; suggesting that they were wonderful and surprising, unheard of, what had never been seen in

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 66:8

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 66:8

The prophet calls either to the whole world, or to such as feared God amongst the Jews, to admire God in his stupendous works of providence, either in the easy manner of the deliverance of the Jews out of the captivity of Babylon, without any pain, without so much as one throe; or else in the erecting of his gospel church, into which all the Jews that received Christ were gathered as well as Gentiles, making both one, ; which seems to be meant by the earth’ s bringing forth in one day; as great a work of Providence as if all the women in the world should have brought forth in a day, or as if all the plants of the earth had brought forth their flowers and fruit in one day. As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth children; as soon as the church of the Jews began to move out of the captivity of Babylon, God put it into the hearts of multitudes to go up, ,2, &c. Or, as soon as the voice of the gospel put the church of the Jews into her travail, in John the Baptist’ s, Christ’ s, and the apostles’ times, it presently brought forth. In John Baptist’ s time, the kingdom of heaven suffered violence, and the violent took it by force, ; and it continued so, as three thousand were converted at Peter’ s sermon, Acts 2. The Gentiles were the children of Zion, being planted into their stock, tho law of the gospel first going out of Zion.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 66:8

Isaiah 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? [or] shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.Ver. 8. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things?] The birth of a man would seem a miracle, were it not so ordinary, miracula assiduitate vilescunt; but the birth of a whole nation at once, how much more! Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day?] Yes, if the day be long enough, as among the Hyperboreans, of whom it is written that they sow shortly after the sun rising, and reap before the sunset; because the whole half year is one continual day with them. But the words here should be rather read, Can a land or a country be brought forth in one day? a nation be born at once? Cardinal Pool abused this scripture in a letter to Pope Julius III, applying it to the bringing in of Popery again here so universally and suddenly in Queen Mary’ s days. So he did also another, when at his first return hither from beyond sea, he blasphemously saluted the same Queen Mary with those words of the angel, "Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee." Heresbach. de re rust.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 66:8

(8) Shall the earth be made . . .—Better, Shall a land be made to travail. The usually slow processes of national development are contrasted with the supernatural rapidity of the birth and growth of the new Israel.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 66:8

Verse 8. Who hath seen - "And who hath seen"] Twenty MSS., (four ancient,) of Kennicott's, and twenty-nine of De Rossi's, and two ancient of my own, and the two oldest editions, with two others, have umi, adding the conjunction vau; and so read all the ancient versions. AND who hath seen?

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 66:8

8. Shall the earth &c.] Render: Shall (the people of) a land be travailed with in one day? For “land” in the sense of “population” there do not seem to be any real parallels; Judges 18:30 is hardly a case in point. Possibly the word for “people” (‘am) should be inserted (Duhm).

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 66:8

Who hath heard such a thing? - Of a birth so sudden. Usually in childbirth there are the pains of protracted parturition. The earth brings forth its productions gradually and slowly.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 66:8

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 66:8

	Sermon	Description
	Grieving the Holy Spirit by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the experience of feeling distant from God and lacking spiritual understanding, comfort, and power. He emphasizes the need for individuals and
	Travail of a Nation by John Mulinde	In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful story of a young university graduate who passionately preached against social injustices in an open-air meeting. Many people gathered
	Finn-04 Restoration of Israel in the Last Days by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker, who is a Jew from New York City, shares his personal journey of living in a remote location in North America. He explains that he was led by the word o
	(Through the Bible) Ezekiel 16-20 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the decline of the United States as a nation that once acknowledged and depended on God. He highlights how the nation has turned its back on G
	The Consummation of the Ages by Albert Leckie	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the millennial reign of Christ as God's final test to humanity. He explains that during this time, there will be no false
	How to Rear a Godly Seed by Don Currin	In this sermon, the speaker discusses nine principles for raising children in a godly manner. He emphasizes the importance of being present and attentive to our children, just as a
	The Travail of a Nation by John Malundi	In this sermon, the speaker recounts the story of a young university graduate who passionately preached against social injustices in open-air meetings. Many people gathered to hear