Isaiah 26:17

17 Like [a] pregnant woman on the point of giving birth, she writhes; she cries in her labor pains. So we were because of your presence, Yahweh.

Isaiah 26:17 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 26:17

Like as a woman with child
By this simile are set forth the great distresses and afflictions the church of Christ will be in, before redemption and deliverance from the antichristian yoke comes: [that] draweth near the time of her delivery;
when her burden is great and very troublesome: [is] in pain, [and] crieth out in her pangs;
for her friends to come about her, and give her all the help and assistance they can: so have we been in thy sight, O Lord;
in great distress and trouble, and crying to him for salvation and deliverance, all which were well known unto him.

Isaiah 26:17 In-Context

15 You have added to the nation, Yahweh. You have added to the nation; you are honored. You have extended all [the] ends of [the] land.

16 Yahweh, in distress they have visited you; they poured out an {incantation}; your discipline [was] on them.

17 Like [a] pregnant woman on the point of giving birth, she writhes; she cries in her labor pains. So we were because of your presence, Yahweh.

18 We became pregnant, we writhed; we gave birth [to] wind. We cannot bring about deliverance [on the] earth, and no inhabitants of [the] world are born.

19 Your dead shall live; {their corpses} shall rise. Wake up and sing for joy, dwellers of [the] dust, for your dew [is] {celestial dew}, and the earth will give birth to dead spirits.