New International Version Ask and see: Can a man bear children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor, every face turned deathly pale? New Living Translation Now let me ask you a question: Do men give birth to babies? Then why do they stand there, ashen-faced, hands pressed against their sides like a woman in labor? English Standard Version Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor? Why has every face turned pale? Berean Standard Bible Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale? Berean Literal Bible Ask now, and see, can a male give birth? Why have I seen every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, and all faces have turned pale? King James Bible Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? New King James Version Ask now, and see, Whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins Like a woman in labor, And all faces turned pale? New American Standard Bible ‘Ask now, and see If a male can give birth. Why do I see every man With his hands on his waist, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale? NASB 1995 Ask now, and see If a male can give birth. Why do I see every man With his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale? NASB 1977 ‘Ask now, and see, If a male can give birth. Why do I see every man With his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale? Legacy Standard Bible Ask now, and see If a male can give birth. Why do I see every man With his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale? Amplified Bible ‘Ask now, and see Whether a man can give birth [to a child]. Why then do I see every man With his hands on his loins, as a woman in labor? Why have all faces turned pale? Berean Annotated Bible Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale? Christian Standard Bible Ask and see whether a male can give birth. Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale? Holman Christian Standard Bible Ask and see whether a male can give birth. Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale? American Standard Version Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child: wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Contemporary English Version Can men give birth? Then why do I see them looking so pale and clutching their stomachs like women in labor? English Revised Version Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child: wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? GOD'S WORD® Translation Ask now, and see: Can a man give birth to a child? Why, then, do I see every strong man holding his stomach in pain like a woman giving birth to a child? Why has every face turned pale? Good News Translation Now stop and think! Can a man give birth to a child? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor? Why is everyone so pale? International Standard Version Ask about this and think about it— Can a man give birth to a child? Why then do I see every strong man with his hands on his thighs like a woman giving birth, and all their faces have turned pale? NET Bible Ask yourselves this and consider it carefully: Have you ever seen a man give birth to a baby? Why then do I see all these strong men grabbing their stomachs in pain like a woman giving birth? And why do their faces turn so deathly pale? New Heart English Bible Ask now, and see whether a man does travail with child: why do I see every man with his hands on his waist, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Webster's Bible Translation Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAsk now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale? World English Bible Ask now, and see whether a man travails with child. Why do I see every man with his hands on his waist, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned pale? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionNow ask and see, is a male bringing forth? Why have I seen every man "" [With] his hands on his loins, as a travailing woman, "" And all faces have been turned to paleness? Berean Literal Bible Ask now, and see, can a male give birth? Why have I seen every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, and all faces have turned pale? Young's Literal Translation Ask, I pray you, and see, is a male bringing forth? Wherefore have I seen every man, His hands on his loins, as a travailing woman, And all faces have been turned to paleness? Smith's Literal Translation Ask ye now, and see if a male brought forth? wherefore did I see every man his hands upon his loins as she bringing forth, and all faces were turned to paleness? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAsk ye, and see if a man bear children ? why then have I seen every man with his hands on his loins, like a woman in labour, and all faces are turned yellow? Catholic Public Domain Version Inquire and see, does a male give birth? Then why have I seen every man with his hand on his lower back, like a woman bearing a child? And why have all of their faces turned pale? New American Bible Inquire and see: does a male give birth? Why, then, do I see all these men, their hands on their loins Like women in labor, all their faces drained of color? New Revised Standard Version Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor? Why has every face turned pale? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAsk now and see: Can a male bear a child? Wherefore do I observe every man with his hands on his loins, like a woman in travail, and all faces turned into paleness? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Ask and see if a male gives birth. Why have I seen every man place his hands on his sides like a woman in labor, and all faces were turned to a fever? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child; Wherefore do I see every man With his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, And all faces are turned into paleness? Brenton Septuagint Translation Enquire, and see if a male has born a child? and ask concerning the fear, wherein they shall hold their loins, and look for safety: for I have seen every man, and his hands are on his loins; their faces are turned to paleness. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Restoration of Israel and Judah…5Yes, this is what the LORD says: “A cry of panic is heard—a cry of terror, not of peace. 6Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale? 7How awful that day will be! None will be like it! It is the time of Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved out of it.… Cross References Ask now, and see: Deuteronomy 4:32 Indeed, ask now from one end of the heavens to the other about the days that long preceded you, from the day that God created man on earth: Has anything as great as this ever happened or been reported? Job 12:7 But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you. Can a male give birth? Isaiah 66:9 Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?” says the LORD. “Or will I who deliver close the womb?” says your God. Isaiah 37:3 to tell him, “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace; for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver them. Galatians 4:19 My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor Jeremiah 6:24 We have heard the report; our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor. Micah 4:9-10 Why do you now cry aloud? Is there no king among you? Has your counselor perished so that anguish grips you like a woman in labor? / Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor. For now you will leave the city and camp in the open fields. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued; there the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies! Isaiah 13:8 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. and every face turned pale? Joel 2:6 Nations writhe in horror before them; every face turns pale. Nahum 2:10 She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale! Daniel 5:9 Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face grew even more pale, and his nobles were bewildered. Isaiah 21:3 Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see. Hosea 13:13 Labor pains come upon him, but he is an unwise son. When the time arrives, he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb. Matthew 24:8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Treasury of Scripture Ask you now, and see whether a man does travail with child? why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? a man. Jeremiah 4:31 For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers. Jeremiah 6:24 We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail. Jeremiah 13:21 What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail? paleness. Isaiah 29:22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. Joel 2:6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. 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. Jump to Previous Bear Child Childbirth Children Deathly Faces Hands Loins Male Pale Paleness Stomach Travail Turned Waist Wherefore WhetherJump to Next Bear Child Childbirth Children Deathly Faces Hands Loins Male Pale Paleness Stomach Travail Turned Waist Wherefore WhetherJeremiah 30 1. God shows Jeremiah the return of the Jews.4. After their trouble they shall have deliverance. 10. He comforts Jacob. 18. Their return shall be gracious. 23. Wrath shall fall on the wicked. Ask now, and see: Judah is summoned to face the dreadful reality unfolding before them. The prophetic warning exposes the severity of the coming calamity and leaves no room for denial. Deu 4:32 Indeed, ask now from one end of the heavens to the other… Can a male give birth? The question heightens the shock of the scene. Men experiencing the agony associated with childbirth portrays a crisis so overwhelming that normal strength and courage have collapsed. Isa 66:9 Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth… Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor The men of Judah will be seized by helpless terror as judgment approaches. Their distress reflects the inescapable consequences of rebellion against the Lord and the horror of invasion and exile. Jer 6:24 We have heard the report; our hands hang limp.… and every face turned pale? Fear drains them of all confidence. The nation will recognize its inability to withstand the disaster God has decreed. Jol 2:6 Nations writhe in horror before them; every face turns pale. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahThe prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment and offering hope for future restoration. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, facing imminent invasion and exile due to their disobedience to God. 3. Babylonian Exile The event during which the people of Judah were taken captive by Babylon, serving as a backdrop for Jeremiah's prophecies. Teaching Points Understanding God's JudgmentThe imagery of men in labor highlights the intensity and inevitability of God's judgment. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. The Universality of Fear The description of every face turning pale illustrates that no one is exempt from the fear and consequences of divine judgment. It calls us to examine our own lives and ensure we are right with God. Hope Amidst Despair While the immediate context is one of judgment, the broader chapter promises restoration and hope. This duality encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate plan for redemption. The Urgency of Repentance Just as labor pains signal the imminent arrival of a child, the signs of judgment urge us to repent and turn to God without delay. The Role of Prophets Jeremiah's role as a prophet underscores the importance of heeding God's messengers and the warnings they bring. It challenges us to listen to and apply biblical teachings in our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 30:6?2. What does Jeremiah 30:6 reveal about God's judgment and its impact on people? 3. How can we understand the imagery of "a man in labor" spiritually? 4. How does Jeremiah 30:6 connect with other prophetic warnings in the Old Testament? 5. In what ways can we prepare for God's judgment in our own lives? 6. How should the urgency in Jeremiah 30:6 influence our daily walk with Christ? 7. What is the historical context of Jeremiah 30:6? 8. How does Jeremiah 30:6 relate to the theme of suffering in the Bible? 9. Why does Jeremiah use childbirth imagery in Jeremiah 30:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 30? Verse 6. - Whether a man doth travail with child. Great, indeed, must be the terror when no adequate figure suggests itself but that of a woman in her pangs (comp. Jeremiah 6:24; Jeremiah 13:21; Jeremiah 22:23; Isaiah 13:8). All faces are turned into paleness. So Joel (Joel 2:6) and Nahum (Nahum 2:10), "All faces withdraw their colour." For "paleness" the Septuagint has "jaundice" - a possible meaning of the Hebrew; comp. χλωρὸς, "pale, bilious looking" in medical writings, but properly "greenish-yellow," like the Hebrew noun. Jeremiah 30:6 paints an unforgettable scene: an unprecedented calamity so severe that men clutch their stomachs and grow pale as though in childbirth. By asking an impossible question—“Can a male give birth?”—God underlines how extraordinary the coming judgment will be. The verse announces the agony of Babylon’s conquest, foreshadows the yet-future “time of Jacob’s distress,” and ultimately points to God’s faithful plan to discipline, deliver, and restore His people. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Askשַׁאֲלוּ־ (ša·’ă·lū-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand and see: וּרְא֔וּ (ū·rə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see Can אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not a male זָכָ֑ר (zā·ḵār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male give birth? יֹלֵ֖ד (yō·lêḏ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage Why then מַדּוּעַ֩ (mad·dū·a‘) Interrogative Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason? do I see רָאִ֨יתִי (rā·’î·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7200: To see every כָל־ (ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every man גֶּ֜בֶר (ge·ḇer) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1397: A valiant man, warrior, a person simply with his hands יָדָ֤יו (yā·ḏāw) Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against his stomach חֲלָצָיו֙ (ḥă·lā·ṣāw) Noun - mdc | third person masculine singular Strong's 2504: The loins like a woman in labor כַּיּ֣וֹלֵדָ֔ה (kay·yō·w·lê·ḏāh) Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage and every כָל־ (ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every face פָּנִ֖ים (pā·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6440: The face turned וְנֶהֶפְכ֥וּ (wə·ne·hep̄·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert pale? לְיֵרָקֽוֹן׃ (lə·yê·rā·qō·wn) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3420: Mildew, paleness, lividness Additonal Resources Jeremiah 30:6 Blue Letter BibleJeremiah 30:6 Bible Gateway Jeremiah 30:6 Bible.com Jeremiah 30:6 NIV |
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