BibleWord.ai› Bible› Isaiah› Chapter 26› Verse 17

Isaiah 26:17

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 26:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain and crieth out in her pangs; so we have been before thee, O Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain and crieth out in her pangs; so we have been before thee, O Jehovah.
Isaiah 26:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 26

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14[They are] dead, they shall not live; [they are] deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all remembrance of them to perish.
15Thou hast increased the nation, O Jehovah, thou hast increased the nation; thou art glorified; thou hast enlarged all the borders of the land.
16Jehovah, in trouble have they visited thee; they poured out a prayer [when] thy chastening was upon them.
17Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain and crieth out in her pangs; so we have been before thee, O Jehovah.
18We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
19Thy dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for thy dew is [as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast forth the dead.
20Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
← Isaiah 26:16Isaiah 26:18 →
← Full Chapter 26 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Like as a woman with child, &c.] 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.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“An image of anguish accompanied with expectation, to be followed by joy that will cause the anguish utterly to be forgotten. Zion, looking for deliverance, seemingly in vain, but really about to be gloriously saved (Mic 4:9-13; Mic 5:1-3; Joh 16:21-22).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Like - Such was our anguish and danger. Isaiah 26:18”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“26:17 The imagery of a pregnant woman in childbirth describes the nation’s pain when Assyrian king Sennacherib attacked it in 701 BC (see 37:3).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Isa 13:8, Isa 21:3; Psa 48:6; Jer 4:31, Jer 6:24, Jer 30:6; Joh 16:21; Th1 5:3 Isaiah 26:18”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Isaiah 26 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification