The term "travailest" is an archaic form of the verb "travail," which is used in the Bible to describe intense labor, toil, or suffering, often associated with childbirth or severe hardship. This term appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing both physical and spiritual struggles.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Childbirth and Labor: The most direct and literal use of "travail" in the Bible is in the context of childbirth. In Genesis 3:16, God tells Eve, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children." This verse sets the precedent for the association of travail with the labor pains experienced by women during childbirth. The imagery of a woman in labor is frequently used in the Bible to convey intense suffering or the anticipation of a significant event.

2. Spiritual and Emotional Struggle: Beyond the physical aspect, "travail" is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual or emotional struggles. In Isaiah 53:11, the suffering servant is described: "After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied." Here, the travail of the soul signifies the deep suffering endured for a greater purpose, pointing to the redemptive work of Christ.

3. Prophetic Imagery: The prophets frequently employed the imagery of travail to describe the coming judgment or the birth of a new era. In Isaiah 26:17-18, the nation of Israel is compared to a woman in labor: "As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we in Your presence, O LORD. We were with child, we writhed in pain, but we gave birth to wind." This passage reflects the anticipation and pain of waiting for deliverance and the disappointment of unmet expectations.

4. Apostolic Teaching: The Apostle Paul uses the concept of travail in his epistles to describe his ministry and concern for the spiritual growth of believers. In Galatians 4:19, he writes, "My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you." Here, Paul likens his pastoral efforts to the labor pains of childbirth, emphasizing the intensity and dedication required in nurturing spiritual maturity.

Theological Significance

The concept of travail in the Bible underscores the reality of suffering and struggle in the human experience, both physically and spiritually. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin, as seen in the curse of pain in childbirth, and the hope of redemption through Christ's suffering. The imagery of travail also highlights the transformative process of spiritual growth and the birthing of new life, whether it be the birth of a nation, the coming of the Messiah, or the formation of Christ within believers.

Practical Application

For believers, the notion of travail can be a source of encouragement and perseverance. It acknowledges the reality of suffering while pointing to the hope and joy that can emerge from it. Just as a woman endures labor pains for the joy of new life, Christians are called to endure trials with the assurance that God is working through them to bring about His purposes. As Romans 8:22-23 states, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." This passage encapsulates the tension between present suffering and future glory, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in faith.

The Church, Formerly Barren, is Now Fruitful.
... Chap. ii."the church, formerly barren, is now fruitful. "Rejoice, thou barren that
bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for she that ...
/.../unknown/the second epistle of clement/chap ii the church formerly barren.htm

The Church, Formerly Barren, is Now Fruitful.
... Chapter II."The Church, Formerly Barren, is Now Fruitful. "Rejoice, thou barren
that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for she that ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter ii the church formerly barren.htm

Fourth Sunday in Lent
... Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest
not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday in lent.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 1, 2
... Is not the end of his own life the consummation to every individual? Why
art thou curious, and travailest about the general end? ...
/.../homily ix 1 thessalonians v.htm

That the Church which Before had Been Barren Should have More ...
... In Isaiah: "Rejoice, thou barren, that barest not; and break forth and cry, thou
that travailest not: because many more are the children of the desolate one ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/20 that the church which.htm

Of Spiritual Knowledge.
... For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not, break forth and cry, thou
that travailest not, for many are the children of the desolate more than of ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter viii of spiritual knowledge.htm

Of the Children of the Flesh and the Children of the Promise.
... For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou
that travailest not, for the desolate hath many more children than she ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 of the children of.htm

Why one of the Covenants is Called Old, the Other New.
... manifest; but now we see what was prophesied concerning her: "Rejoice, thou barren,
that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for there ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 13 why one of the.htm

Galatians Chapter iv.
... Ver.27. "Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not, break forth and cry, thou that
travailest not, for more are the children of the desolate than of her which hath ...
/.../galatians chapter iv.htm

Ephesians ii. 11, 12
... destroyed and put to death the former one. It is thou, forsooth, that travailest
with a fresh one. "For the mind of the flesh," saith ...
/.../homily v ephesians ii 11.htm

Travailest (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Travailest (2 Occurrences). Galatians 4 ... begettest thou?
or to a woman, With what travailest thou? (See JPS ASV). ...
/t/travailest.htm - 7k

Travaileth (9 Occurrences)

/t/travaileth.htm - 9k

Travailed (7 Occurrences)

/t/travailed.htm - 8k

Numerous (88 Occurrences)
... Galatians 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break out
and cry, thou that travailest not; because the children of the desolate are ...
/n/numerous.htm - 33k

Begetting (20 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Isaiah 45:10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father. 'Wherefore begettest
thou?' Or to a woman: 'Wherefore travailest thou?' (See NAS RSV). ...
/b/begetting.htm - 11k

Bearest (11 Occurrences)
... Galatians 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth
and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more ...
/b/bearest.htm - 9k

Travail (54 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 45:10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father. 'Wherefore begettest thou?'
Or to a woman: 'Wherefore travailest thou?' (Root in JPS ASV RSV). ...
/t/travail.htm - 26k

Cry (431 Occurrences)
... Galatians 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth
and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more ...
/c/cry.htm - 46k

Begotten (77 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY JPS YLT). Isaiah 45:10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father. 'Wherefore
begettest thou?' Or to a woman: 'Wherefore travailest thou?' (See NIV). ...
/b/begotten.htm - 33k

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