In biblical literature, the term "pangs" often refers to intense and sudden pain, akin to the throes of childbirth. This imagery is used metaphorically to describe various forms of distress, suffering, or divine judgment. The concept of pangs is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both physical and spiritual experiences of anguish.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "pangs" are frequently associated with the pain of childbirth, a common metaphor for intense suffering or imminent disaster. In Isaiah 13:8 , the prophet describes the terror that will seize the people on the day of the Lord: "They will be seized with terror, agony and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor." This imagery underscores the suddenness and inevitability of divine judgment.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 4:31 , the prophet uses the metaphor of childbirth to describe the distress of Jerusalem: "For I hear a cry as of a woman in labor, a groan as of one bearing her first child—the cry of Daughter Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands: 'Woe is me, for my soul faints before the murderers!'" Here, the pangs symbolize the city's impending doom and the people's helplessness in the face of their enemies.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of pangs is also present, often in the context of eschatological events. In Matthew 24:8 , Jesus speaks of the beginning of birth pains as a precursor to the end times: "All these are the beginning of birth pains." This passage suggests that the trials and tribulations preceding the end of the age are akin to labor pains, indicating both the severity and the hope of new birth or renewal.

Acts 2:24 uses the term in a different context, referring to the resurrection of Jesus: "But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches." Here, the "agony of death" is likened to pangs, emphasizing the victory of life over death through Christ's resurrection.

Theological Implications

Theologically, pangs are often seen as a necessary precursor to deliverance or transformation. Just as labor pains precede the birth of a child, spiritual or existential pangs can precede a new creation or divine intervention. This concept is evident in Romans 8:22 , where Paul writes, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time." This groaning reflects the anticipation of redemption and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The symbolism of pangs in the Bible serves to convey the intensity and urgency of the human condition in relation to sin, judgment, and redemption. It highlights the reality of suffering in a fallen world while pointing to the hope of deliverance and the birth of a new era under God's sovereign plan. The metaphor of childbirth, with its dual aspects of pain and joy, encapsulates the Christian understanding of suffering as both a present reality and a precursor to future glory.5605. odino -- to have birth pangs, to travail
... to have birth pangs, to travail. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: odino Phonetic
Spelling: (o-dee'-no) Short Definition: I am in travail, suffer birth ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5605.htm - 7k

4944. sunodino -- to be in travail together
... From sun and odino; to have (parturition) pangs in company (concert, simultaneously)
with, ie (figuratively) to sympathize (in expectation of relief from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4944.htm - 6k

5604. odin -- a birth pang
... Word Origin akin to odune Definition a birth pang NASB Word Usage agony
(1), birth pangs (2), labor pains (1). pain, sorrow, travail. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5604.htm - 7k

2256b. chebel -- a pain, pang
... 2256a, 2256b. chebel. 2256c . a pain, pang. Transliteration: chebel
Short Definition: pangs. Word Origin from chabal Definition ...
/hebrew/2256b.htm - 5k

6887. tsarar -- to bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or ...
... or intransitive (as follows) -- adversary, (be in) afflict(-ion), beseige, bind
(up), (be in, bring) distress, enemy, narrower, oppress, pangs, shut up, be in ...
/hebrew/6887.htm - 5k

The vicissitudes Experienced in the Christian Life
... Pierced with a thousand wounds, I yet survive; My pangs are keen, but no complaint
transpires. ... Whence then, I cry, the pangs that I sustain. ...
/.../the vicissitudes experienced in the.htm

Consolations against the Fear of Death.
... Secondly, For the pain in death. The fear of death more pains many than the very
pangs of death; for many a Christian dies without any great pangs or pains. ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/consolations against the fear of.htm

Of the Third Degree of the Spiritual Coming of Christ
... For Christ, the true Sun streams and shines into the wounded and open heart and
calls it to oneness again. And this renews the wound and all its pangs. [45]. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxii of the third.htm

Of the Sweetness of the Commandment which God Has Given us of ...
... But all in vain, for it shall be as a woman, who in the pangs of childbirth, after
having endured violent pains, cruel convulsions, and intolerable pangs, dies ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i of the sweetness.htm

Christ's Exclamation: Psalm xxii. --His Last Words.
... Under these pangs of soul and body he sees before him the Holy One, persecuted,
mocked, proved in the bitterest sufferings, yet steadfastly trusting in God, as ...
/.../section 292 christs exclamation psalm.htm

September the Twentieth the Pathetic Multitude
... It culminated upon Calvary, but it was bleeding all along the road! It was
a fellow-feeling with all the pangs and sorrows of the race. ...
/.../september the twentieth the pathetic.htm

"Yonder Comes Wesley, Galloping"
... Meanwhile her pangs increased more and more so that one would have imagined, by
the violence of the throes, her body must have been shattered to pieces. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/yonder comes wesley galloping.htm

An Eye-Witness's Account of the Crucifixion
... They watched the pangs without a touch of pity, and only wished that death
might come soon, and let them get back to their barracks. ...
/.../an eye-witnesss account of the.htm

John xvi. 16, 17
... a mother to become a mother, passeth in like manner through pain." Here also He
implieth something mystical, that He hath loosened the travail pangs of death ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxix john xvi 16.htm

Christ's Humiliation in his Incarnation
... Are there pangs before the birth? So before Christ is born in the heart, there
are spiritual pangs; pangs of conscience, and deep convictions. ...
/.../watson/a body of divinity/6 christs humiliation in his.htm

Birth-pangs (2 Occurrences)
Birth-pangs. Birth-pains, Birth-pangs. Birth-place . Multi-Version
Concordance Birth-pangs (2 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/b/birth-pangs.htm - 6k

Pangs (26 Occurrences)
...Pangs (26 Occurrences). ... Acts 2:24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of
death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. (ASV RSV). ...
/p/pangs.htm - 13k

Travailing (16 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 13:8 And they have been troubled, Pains and pangs they take, As a travailing
woman they are pained, A man at his friend they marvel, The appearance of ...
/t/travailing.htm - 11k

Pained (41 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 13:8 And they have been troubled, Pains and pangs they take, As a travailing
woman they are pained, A man at his friend they marvel, The appearance of ...
/p/pained.htm - 18k

Panic (22 Occurrences)
... They were dismayed. They hurried away. (See RSV). Psalms 48:6 Trembling took
hold of them there, pangs, as of a woman in travail. (See NAS). ...
/p/panic.htm - 12k

Travail (54 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To labor with pain; to toil. 4. (n.) To suffer the pangs of childbirth;
to be in labor. 5. (vt) To harass; to tire. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/t/travail.htm - 26k

Travaileth (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 13:8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them;
they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at ...
/t/travaileth.htm - 9k

Pain (172 Occurrences)
... the wife of Phinehas (1 Samuel 4:19), but the same word tsir is used figuratively
in Isaiah 13:8; Isaiah 21:3 Daniel 10:16, and translated "pangs" or "sorrows ...
/p/pain.htm - 43k

Affrighted (60 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 13:8 and they shall be dismayed; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them;
they shall be in pain as a woman in travail: they shall look in amazement ...
/a/affrighted.htm - 23k

Anguish (75 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Exodus 15:14 The peoples have heard, they tremble; pangs
have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia. (See NAS NIV). ...
/a/anguish.htm - 29k

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