Isaiah 66:7

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

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

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

“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.

Context of Isaiah 66:7

Isaiah 66 is the concluding chapter of the prophet Isaiah's book, offering a powerful summary of God's ultimate judgment and glorious restoration. This chapter contrasts God's favor towards the humble and contrite with His judgment on the rebellious and hypocritical. Verses 7-9 specifically describe the miraculous and sudden rebirth and expansion of Zion (Jerusalem) as a mother giving birth. The imagery in verse 7, "Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child," emphasizes an unprecedented, swift, and effortless birth, signifying God's supernatural intervention in fulfilling His promises for a restored and populous Jerusalem, aligning with themes of new heavens and a new earth.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Supernatural Speed and Ease: The primary message is that God's redemptive work for His people will be accomplished with astonishing speed and without the usual struggle or delay. The absence of labor pains signifies a divine act that transcends natural processes.
  • Divine Intervention: This "birth" is not a natural outcome but a direct, powerful act of God. It highlights His sovereignty and ability to bring about His purposes instantaneously.
  • Restoration and Fruitfulness: Zion, which had experienced desolation and judgment, is depicted as suddenly becoming fruitful and bringing forth a strong "man child," symbolizing a robust and numerous new generation or community.
  • Future Glory of God's People: The verse points to a time of immense blessing, expansion, and vindication for God's faithful, where His promises are fulfilled in an unexpected and glorious manner.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used amplify the miraculous nature of the event. The term for "travailed" (yachal) and "pain" (chevel) refer to the intense suffering and struggle associated with childbirth. Their absence in this verse underscores the extraordinary, unburdened nature of Zion's delivery. The phrase "man child" (zakar) simply means a male child, but in this prophetic context, it can imply a strong, capable, and significant offspring, representing the vigor and importance of the restored community that springs forth.

Prophetic Significance and Application

Prophetically, this verse has been interpreted in various ways:

  • Return from Exile: It could foreshadow the relatively swift and divinely orchestrated return of the Jewish people from Babylonian exile, a period of restoration that felt sudden after years of captivity.
  • The Early Church: Some see it as a prophecy of the rapid and explosive growth of the early Christian church, which emerged quickly and powerfully, seemingly "without travail," spreading the message of Christ across the world.
  • Eschatological Fulfillment: Ultimately, it points to the final, glorious restoration of Israel and the establishment of God's kingdom, where His promises are fulfilled with overwhelming power and speed at the end of days.

For believers today, Isaiah 66:7 offers profound hope and reassurance. It reminds us that God is capable of bringing about His purposes swiftly and powerfully, even when circumstances seem impossible or progress appears slow. It encourages faith in God's ability to work beyond human expectation, delivering blessings and breakthroughs in ways that defy natural explanation. This verse calls us to trust in God's perfect timing and His supernatural power to bring forth new life and fulfillment, even in the midst of barrenness or despair.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.
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