Isaiah 66:7

KJV

Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

KJV (with Strong's)

Before she travailed {H2342}, she brought forth {H3205}; before her pain {H2256} came {H935}, she was delivered {H4422} of a man child {H2145}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Before going into labor, she gave birth; before her pains came, she delivered a male child.

Berean Standard Bible

“Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy.

American Standard Version

Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 66:7 presents a striking prophetic image of Zion, personified as a woman, giving birth to a "man child" with unprecedented speed and ease, entirely bypassing the typical labor pains and travail. This miraculous, instantaneous delivery symbolizes God's supernatural intervention in the rapid and effortless restoration and expansion of His people, signifying a divine act that transcends natural processes to bring about a robust and significant new generation or community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 66 serves as the climactic conclusion to the entire book of Isaiah, bringing together its major themes of judgment, salvation, and new creation. The chapter opens with a declaration of God's universal sovereignty and His preference for the humble and contrite, contrasting them with those who practice detestable rituals ([Isaiah 66:1-4](/isaiah/66-1 "Isaiah 66:1-4 - God's Throne and True Worship")). Following this, the focus shifts to the dramatic vindication and restoration of Zion. Verses 7-9 specifically employ vivid birth imagery to depict the sudden and miraculous re-population and flourishing of Jerusalem, emphasizing God's direct and powerful involvement in this eschatological renewal. This immediate context highlights the divine initiative in bringing about what seems humanly impossible, setting the stage for the ultimate ingathering of all nations to Jerusalem ([Isaiah 66:18-21](/isaiah/66-18 "Isaiah 66:18-21 - God Gathers All Nations")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Isaiah 66:7, while looking to a future eschatological reality, would have resonated deeply with a post-exilic or exile-weary audience. Jerusalem had experienced destruction and desolation, and its population was diminished. The concept of a barren woman miraculously conceiving or giving birth was a powerful motif in Israelite history, symbolizing divine favor and the overcoming of human limitations (e.g., [Sarah](/genesis/18-10 "Genesis 18:10 - Sarah's Laughter"), [Rebekah](/genesis/25-21 "Genesis 25:21 - Rebekah's Conception"), [Rachel](/genesis/30-22 "Genesis 30:22 - Rachel's Child"), [Hannah](/1_samuel/1-20 "1 Samuel 1:20 - Hannah's Prayer")). Childbirth itself was a universal, often painful, experience, making the imagery of a birth *without* travail profoundly counter-cultural and miraculous. The "man child" (male offspring) was culturally significant, often representing strength, continuity, and the heir to a lineage, underscoring the vigor and importance of the new community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, demonstrating God's ability to bring about His purposes instantaneously and effortlessly, transcending natural laws. Secondly, it highlights **Restoration and Renewal**, portraying Zion's transformation from desolation to flourishing fruitfulness, symbolizing the spiritual and demographic resurgence of God's people. Thirdly, the theme of **New Creation** is evident, as this miraculous birth is part of the larger promise of "new heavens and a new earth" ([Isaiah 65:17](/isaiah/65-17 "Isaiah 65:17 - New Heavens and New Earth")). Finally, it speaks to **God's Unwavering Faithfulness** to His covenant promises, even when their fulfillment seems impossible from a human perspective, assuring His people of a glorious future that will unfold with divine speed and ease.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **travailed (Hebrew, _chûwl'_):** From H2342, this root properly means "to twist or whirl," specifically to "writhe in pain," especially of parturition. Its use here emphasizes the intense, agonizing struggle typically associated with childbirth. The verse's assertion that Zion gives birth *before* this process highlights the unprecedented, pain-free nature of the delivery, signifying a divine act that bypasses natural suffering and delay.
* **pain (Hebrew, _chebel'_):** From H2256, this word refers to a "rope" or "cord," but figuratively, it denotes "throes," particularly "of parturition." It signifies the severe, binding pains experienced during labor. The absence of `chebel` further reinforces the miraculous ease and suddenness of Zion's delivery, underscoring that God's restoration will be unburdened by the usual struggles.
* **delivered (Hebrew, _mâlaṭ'_):** From H4422, this verb means "to escape" or "to be released." In the context of childbirth, it refers to the act of bringing forth young, as if the child "escapes" the womb. The use of this word here, combined with the preceding clauses, emphasizes the swift, unhindered emergence of the "man child," highlighting a liberation from the normal constraints of birth.
* **man child (Hebrew, _zâkâr'_):** From H2145, this term simply means "a male" or "male child." In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a male heir was highly valued, representing strength, continuity, and the perpetuation of the family line. In this prophetic context, the "man child" symbolizes a robust, vigorous, and significant offspring, representing the strong and numerous new generation or community that God will bring forth for Zion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Before she travailed, she brought forth":** This clause immediately establishes the miraculous nature of the event. The normal, arduous process of labor ("travailed") is entirely absent. Zion, personified as a mother, gives birth instantaneously, without any preceding struggle or pain. This emphasizes the divine, supernatural speed and effortlessness of God's redemptive work. It signifies that the restoration and expansion of His people will not be a slow, painful human endeavor, but a sudden, divine act.
* **"before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child":** This second clause reiterates and intensifies the first. The "pain" (referring to labor pains) never arrives, yet the delivery of a "man child" occurs. The emphasis is on the complete absence of suffering and the immediate appearance of a strong, significant offspring. The "man child" symbolizes a vigorous, numerous, and important community or generation that God brings forth for Zion, highlighting the robust nature of this divinely orchestrated restoration.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 66:7 is rich with **Metaphor** and **Personification**, as Zion (Jerusalem) is vividly portrayed as a woman giving birth. This central metaphor transforms the abstract concept of national restoration into a tangible, relatable, and emotionally resonant image. The verse also employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the miraculous nature of the event; a birth without travail or pain is an exaggeration that underscores the unprecedented ease and speed of God's work. This hyperbole serves to highlight the divine power at play, suggesting that God's intervention transcends all natural limitations. Furthermore, the **Contrast** between expected pain and actual effortless delivery amplifies the wonder of the prophecy, making the divine act even more astonishing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This prophecy speaks profoundly to the nature of God's redemptive work, emphasizing that His ultimate fulfillment of promises often occurs in ways that defy human expectation and natural processes. It highlights God's sovereign power to bring forth life and flourishing from apparent barrenness or desolation, not through human effort or struggle, but through His direct, miraculous intervention. The instantaneous birth signifies a divine breakthrough, assuring God's people that their restoration and expansion will be a work of God's grace and power, leading to a glorious and abundant future. This divine initiative ensures that the glory belongs solely to Him.

* [Isaiah 43:19](/isaiah/43-19 "Isaiah 43:19 - God Doing a New Thing")
* [Psalm 126:1-3](/psalms/126-1 "Psalm 126:1-3 - Restoration Like a Dream")
* [Romans 4:17](/romans/4-17 "Romans 4:17 - God Who Gives Life to the Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 66:7 offers profound encouragement and a powerful reminder of God's supernatural capabilities. In a world often characterized by slow progress, painful struggles, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this verse declares that God is not bound by human limitations or natural processes. It invites us to cultivate a radical trust in His timing and His power, especially when we face situations that appear "barren" or require a "birth" that seems impossible without immense struggle. Whether applied to personal transformation, the growth of the church, or the fulfillment of God's kingdom purposes, this passage assures us that God can bring forth new life, breakthroughs, and abundant fruitfulness with astonishing speed and ease, bypassing the expected "travail." It calls us to pray with audacious faith, knowing that our God is capable of doing "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" ([Ephesians 3:20](/ephesians/3-20 "Ephesians 3:20 - God's Power Beyond Measure")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "barren" or seemingly impossible situations in your life or community are you trusting God to bring new life into?**
* **How does the imagery of a birth without travail challenge your assumptions about how God works or how His promises are fulfilled?**
* **In what areas do you need to surrender your efforts and trust more fully in God's supernatural intervention and timing?**
* **How might this verse encourage you to pray with greater faith for sudden, divine breakthroughs?**

### FAQ

**What is the "man child" in Isaiah 66:7 referring to?**

Answer: The "man child" (Hebrew: *zâkâr*) in Isaiah 66:7 is a symbolic representation of the strong, vigorous, and significant offspring that Zion (Jerusalem, representing God's people) will bring forth. While some interpretations have linked it specifically to the Messiah or the rapid growth of the early church, its primary meaning within the context of Isaiah 66 is the sudden, miraculous re-population and flourishing of the restored community of God's people. It signifies a new generation or a new spiritual community that emerges with divine vitality and importance, fulfilling God's promise of abundant blessing and expansion for Zion ([Isaiah 60:22](/isaiah/60-22 "Isaiah 60:22 - A Little One Shall Become a Thousand")).

**Does this prophecy mean that God's people will never experience pain or struggle?**

Answer: No, the prophecy in Isaiah 66:7 does not mean that God's people will never experience pain or struggle in general. Rather, the imagery of a birth "before she travailed" and "before her pain came" is a specific **hyperbole** used to emphasize the *supernatural ease, speed, and effortlessness* of God's *particular act of restoration* for Zion. It highlights that this specific divine work will transcend typical human limitations and struggles. It's a promise of a divinely orchestrated breakthrough that bypasses the normal arduous processes, not a blanket promise of a pain-free existence for believers. Believers are still called to endure suffering for Christ's sake ([Philippians 1:29](/philippians/1-29 "Philippians 1:29 - Suffering for Christ")), but this verse points to God's ultimate ability to bring about His purposes with miraculous ease.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 66:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the subsequent birth and expansion of His church. The "man child" can be seen as foreshadowing Christ Himself, the strong and significant offspring of God's covenant people, who was born not of human will or effort but by the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit ([Luke 1:35](/luke/1-35 "Luke 1:35 - The Holy Spirit and Jesus' Conception")). More broadly, the "birth without travail" powerfully prefigures the rapid, supernatural, and seemingly effortless explosion of the early Christian church on the Day of Pentecost. The Spirit was poured out, and thousands were "added to their number daily" ([Acts 2:41](/acts/2-41 "Acts 2:41 - Pentecost and New Believers"), [Acts 2:47](/acts/2-47 "Acts 2:47 - The Church's Growth")), not through human strategizing or prolonged struggle, but through a sudden, divine outpouring that defied natural growth patterns. This new spiritual Israel, the church, was birthed into existence with miraculous power, demonstrating God's ability to create a new humanity in Christ, a new creation that transcends the old covenant and its limitations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Just as Zion's restoration was effortless, so too was the establishment of God's kingdom through Christ, not by human might or power, but by His Spirit ([Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might, Nor by Power")).

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

Revelation 12:1

¶ And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

Revelation 12:5

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne.

Isaiah 54:1

¶ Sing, O barren, thou [that] didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou [that] didst not travail with child: for more [are] the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

Galatians 4:26

But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.