Isaiah 13:8

KJV

And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces [shall be as] flames.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they shall be afraid {H926}: pangs {H6735} and sorrows {H2256} shall take hold {H270} of them; they shall be in pain {H2342} as a woman that travaileth {H3205}: they shall be amazed {H8539} one {H376} at another {H7453}; their faces {H6440} shall be as flames {H3851}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They will be gripped by panic, seized with pain and agony, writhing like a woman in labor, looking aghast at each other, faces aflame.

Berean Standard Bible

Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear.

American Standard Version

and they shall be dismayed; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman in travail: they shall look in amazement one at another; their faces shall be faces of flame.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 13:8 delivers a chilling prophecy depicting the profound terror and excruciating anguish that will engulf the inhabitants of Babylon on the impending "Day of the Lord." The verse employs intensely visceral imagery, likening their suffering to the unbearable pains of childbirth, thereby emphasizing the sudden, inescapable, and all-consuming nature of divine judgment. It paints a scene of widespread panic, mutual bewilderment, and a visible manifestation of their inner turmoil, as their faces become distorted, reflecting the fiery intensity of their fear and the overwhelming despair of their impending doom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 13 initiates a pivotal section within the book of Isaiah, marking the beginning of a series of "burdens" or prophetic oracles directed against various foreign nations, with Babylon receiving the first and most extensive treatment. This chapter serves as a dramatic prelude to the detailed account of Babylon's eventual downfall, meticulously setting the stage for God's sovereign judgment. The preceding verses ([Isaiah 13:1-7](/isaiah/13-1-7 "Isaiah 13:1-7 - The Gathering of God's Army")) describe the divine mustering of a vast, formidable army—specifically identifying the Medes and Persians—and the accompanying cosmic disturbances that will herald the "Day of the Lord," underscoring its cataclysmic and universal scope. Verse 8, therefore, shifts the prophetic lens from the instruments and cosmic signs of judgment to the immediate, visceral human experience of those who are directly facing God's wrath, providing a detailed and agonizing portrayal of their psychological and physical agony.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This profound prophecy was delivered by the prophet Isaiah during the 8th century BC, a significant period, given that Babylon would not reach its imperial zenith or experience its ultimate fall to Cyrus the Great until centuries later, in 539 BC. At the time of Isaiah's ministry, Assyria held sway as the dominant world power, while Babylon was still an emerging, though not yet supreme, force. The very existence of this prophecy, foretelling events far in the future, powerfully demonstrates God's sovereign foreknowledge and His ultimate control over the rise and fall of empires, even those that would later serve as instruments of His judgment against Judah. The "Day of the Lord" is a recurring and potent motif throughout biblical prophetic literature, consistently signifying a decisive time when God intervenes in human history to execute justice upon His enemies and to bring deliverance to His people. Culturally, the excruciating pains of childbirth were a universally understood and deeply felt metaphor for sudden, intense, and utterly unavoidable suffering, making the imagery employed in this verse immediately relatable and profoundly impactful to ancient audiences.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 13:8 powerfully contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes found within the book of Isaiah and broader biblical prophecy. It fundamentally underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment**, vividly demonstrating God's unwavering justice against human pride, rebellion, and idolatry, as exemplified by the fate of Babylon (a theme further developed in [Isaiah 14](/isaiah/14 "Isaiah 14 - Taunt Against Babylon")). The **Day of the Lord** is presented not as a mere historical event but as a terrifying, cosmic reality, a time of profound human and environmental upheaval where no one can escape the full force of God's wrath, a concept powerfully echoed in other prophetic books like [Joel 2](/joel/2 "Joel 2 - The Day of the Lord"). The **Metaphor of Labor Pains** is a particularly prominent and evocative theme, consistently used to describe the sudden, intense, and utterly unavoidable nature of divine judgment, appearing in parallel passages such as [Jeremiah 4:31](/jeremiah/4-31 "Jeremiah 4:31 - Jerusalem's Anguish") and [Hosea 13:13](/hosea/13-13 "Hosea 13:13 - Ephraim's Travail"). Finally, the verse highlights the **Visible Manifestation of Inner Turmoil**, where the deep internal anguish of fear, despair, and spiritual brokenness is outwardly expressed, emphasizing the totality and all-encompassing nature of their suffering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sorrows (Hebrew, _chebel'_):** This term, often translated as "pangs" or "throes," primarily refers to a "rope" or "cord," but figuratively denotes intense, binding pain, particularly that associated with parturition (childbirth). Its usage here, in conjunction with `tsîyr` ("pangs"), powerfully emphasizes the excruciating, unavoidable, and all-consuming nature of the suffering, as if one is physically bound and constricted by the agony. It conveys a deep, visceral agony that grips and possesses its victims, leaving them no escape.
* **In pain (Hebrew, _chûwl'_):** Derived from a primitive root meaning "to twist or whirl," this verb vividly describes the physical writhing, contortion, and violent agitation associated with intense suffering, especially the agony of childbirth or profound fear. It conveys a sense of being violently distressed and uncontrollably moved, highlighting the extreme physical and emotional distress experienced by those facing judgment. The word emphasizes the active, agonizing process of suffering, a relentless and tormenting experience.
* **Amazed (Hebrew, _tâmahh'_):** This root signifies being "in consternation," "astonished," or "to marvel." It describes a state of utter shock, profound bewilderment, and paralysis in the face of overwhelming and incomprehensible events. When people are "amazed one at another," it suggests a complete breakdown of normal social interaction and mutual support, replaced by stunned, helpless gazes. This reflects a collective, profound sense of despair and the utter inability to comprehend or escape their terrifying fate.
* **Flames (Hebrew, _lahab'_):** Meaning "a flash" or "a gleam," this word is used to describe the intense, burning appearance of their faces. This vivid imagery can suggest faces flushed with feverish terror, burning with shame and humiliation, or perhaps literally reflecting the glow of a city consumed by fire. The term powerfully conveys the intensity of their internal anguish made outwardly visible, a fiery manifestation of their profound fear and the imminent destruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall be afraid":** This opening clause immediately establishes the pervasive emotional state, indicating an overwhelming and incapacitating sense of dread that will grip the inhabitants. It signifies not merely fleeting anxiety, but a deep, internal trembling that paralyzes and dominates their being.
* **"pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them":** This phrase intensifies the preceding description of fear, specifying that it will manifest as acute, physical agony. The "pangs" (tsîyr) and "sorrows" (chebel) are deeply associated with the excruciating, unavoidable pains of childbirth, emphasizing the inescapable and all-consuming nature of their suffering, as if pain itself has seized them.
* **"they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth":** This is a profoundly powerful and explicit simile, directly comparing their agony to the writhing, intense, and inescapable pain of a woman in labor. It highlights the sudden onset, the relentless building intensity, and the utter helplessness in the face of this unavoidable suffering, underscoring its inevitability and severity.
* **"they shall be amazed one at another":** This clause vividly depicts a complete breakdown of social order, mutual comfort, and human connection. People will look at each other in bewildered horror and stunned silence, utterly unable to offer comfort, aid, or even coherent communication, signifying their collective helplessness and the overwhelming nature of a disaster that leaves them paralyzed by shock.
* **"their faces [shall be as] flames":** This striking and climactic imagery concludes the verse, describing the horrifying visible manifestation of their inner turmoil. Their faces will be flushed, burning, or distorted, reflecting the intense internal anguish, feverish terror, or perhaps the literal glow of a city consumed by fire and destruction. It powerfully conveys the depth of their distress made outwardly visible, a terrifying testament to their agony.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 13:8 is exceptionally rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid, visceral, and deeply unsettling picture of terror and suffering. The prophet masterfully employs powerful sensory details to convey the profound emotional and physical state of Babylon's inhabitants. The most prominent and impactful device is **Simile**, particularly in the comparison "they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth." This simile is extraordinarily effective because the agony of childbirth is universally understood as an intense, unavoidable, and escalating form of suffering, perfectly conveying the sudden, overwhelming, and inescapable nature of the impending divine judgment. Another striking simile is "their faces [shall be as] flames," which evokes a powerful visual image of extreme distress, whether from feverish fear, burning shame, or the terrifying reflection of actual conflagration. The use of **Parallelism** is also evident in the coupling of "pangs and sorrows," where two closely related terms are used in conjunction to reinforce and intensify the idea of acute, pervasive suffering. The cumulative effect of these literary devices is to create a deeply impactful, memorable, and terrifying portrayal of divine wrath and its devastating human consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 13:8 stands as a profound theological statement regarding God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. The intense imagery of inescapable pain and terror serves to underscore the gravity of defying God's will and the inevitability of His righteous judgment against those who stand in opposition to Him. It highlights the truth that even the most formidable and proud empires, such as Babylon, are not beyond divine accountability. The "Day of the Lord" is not merely a historical event but a potent theological concept that speaks to a time of ultimate reckoning, where God decisively intervenes in human history to establish His righteousness and to deal comprehensively with sin. This judgment, while terrifying for the wicked, simultaneously affirms God's perfect justice and provides profound assurance for His people that evil will ultimately not prevail.

* [1 Thessalonians 5:3](/1_thessalonians/5-3 "1 Thessalonians 5:3 - Sudden Destruction")
* [Jeremiah 30:6-7](/jeremiah/30-6-7 "Jeremiah 30:6-7 - Jacob's Trouble and Deliverance")
* [Revelation 18:8-10](/revelation/18-8-10 "Revelation 18:8-10 - The Desolation of Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 13:8 offers a stark, sobering, and timeless reminder of the severe consequences of pride, rebellion, and direct opposition to God's divine will. While this prophecy was specifically directed at ancient Babylon, its profound message transcends historical context, serving as a universal warning to all individuals and nations across every generation. It compels us to deeply consider the inherent seriousness of sin and the absolute inevitability of divine justice. For believers, this passage powerfully reinforces the foundational truth of God's sovereignty, His ultimate control over all human history, and His steadfast promise that evil will not ultimately triumph indefinitely. This understanding can bring immense comfort and significantly strengthen our faith, knowing that God will ultimately set all things right according to His perfect plan. For all humanity, it serves as an urgent call to humility, sincere repentance, and a profound recognition of our utter dependence on God. It urges us to live our lives in alignment with His righteous standards and divine purposes, lest we find ourselves facing the terrifying reality of His just and inescapable judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the vivid imagery of "pangs and sorrows" and "a woman that travaileth" deepen your understanding of the intensity, suddenness, and inescapability of divine judgment?**
* **In what specific ways might a contemporary society or an individual today exhibit the kind of pride, self-sufficiency, or rebellion against God that could lead to a "Day of the Lord" type of reckoning?**
* **How does this passage, despite its terrifying and graphic imagery, ultimately affirm God's perfect justice and absolute sovereignty, and what comfort can a believer genuinely draw from that affirmation?**
* **Considering the warnings in this passage, what specific actions can I take in my daily life to cultivate a spirit of humility, obedience, and dependence on God, rather than fostering opposition or self-reliance?**

### FAQ
**Who are "they" that are described in Isaiah 13:8?**

Answer: The "they" in Isaiah 13:8 refers primarily and specifically to the inhabitants of Babylon, the central subject of the prophetic oracle presented in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - The Burden Against Babylon"). While the immediate context is the specific historical judgment against the literal city of Babylon, the powerful imagery of universal terror and suffering on the "Day of the Lord" also carries broader theological implications. It symbolizes the inevitable fate of any nation, people, or individual who stands in persistent opposition to God's righteous rule, representing the universal consequences of divine judgment.

**What is the significance of the "Day of the Lord" in this prophecy?**

Answer: The "Day of the Lord" is a recurring, profoundly significant, and multifaceted theological concept found throughout prophetic literature, including the book of Isaiah. It signifies a decisive and often dramatic time when God intervenes directly in human history to execute judgment on His enemies and to vindicate or deliver His people. In [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - The Burden Against Babylon"), it specifically refers to the historical fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians, which was a momentous event. However, it also carries profound eschatological weight, pointing forward to a final, ultimate day of reckoning when God will fully establish His kingdom and judge all unrighteousness. It is consistently portrayed as a day of darkness, wrath, and destruction for the wicked, but conversely, a day of vindication, deliverance, and salvation for the righteous (a concept vividly depicted in passages like [Amos 5:18-20](/amos/5-18-20 "Amos 5:18-20 - Woe to Those Who Desire the Day of the Lord!")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 13:8 vividly describes the temporal judgment upon ancient Babylon, its potent imagery of inescapable anguish and the terrifying "Day of the Lord" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "pangs and sorrows" that grip fallen humanity due to the pervasive nature of sin are ultimately addressed and overcome by the unparalleled suffering of Christ on the cross, where He voluntarily bore the full weight of divine wrath and judgment on behalf of humanity (a truth powerfully articulated in [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant")). Furthermore, the "Day of the Lord," characterized by terror and condemnation for the unrighteous, is profoundly transformed for believers through their union with Christ. While the New Testament indeed speaks of a future "Day of the Lord" or "Day of Christ" as a time of ultimate judgment for the world (e.g., [2 Peter 3:10](/2_peter/3-10 "2 Peter 3:10 - The Day of the Lord Will Come")), for those who are "in Christ," it is fundamentally a day of glorious redemption, complete deliverance, and final glorification, rather than a day of wrath (as assured in [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Saved from Wrath Through Him")). The "flames" on the faces of the terrified in Isaiah 13:8 stand in stark and beautiful contrast to the radiant faces of those who, having believed in Christ, will see Him face to face and be eternally transformed into His glorious likeness on that great and final day (as promised in [2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed into His Image")). Thus, the terrifying judgment described in Isaiah points forward to the ultimate and gracious deliverance offered exclusively through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, thereby sparing His people from the wrath to come (a foundational truth proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 26:17

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.

Nahum 2:10

She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain [is] in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Isaiah 21:3

Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing [of it]; I was dismayed at the seeing [of it].

Isaiah 21:4

My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.

Jeremiah 50:43

The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail.

Joel 2:6

Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.