The term "writhes" is often associated with intense physical or emotional pain, distress, or struggle. In the context of the Bible, it is used to describe the physical contortions or emotional turmoil experienced by individuals or groups in moments of great suffering or divine judgment.

Biblical Usage:

1. Physical Agony and Distress:
· The imagery of writhing is frequently used in the Bible to depict the physical agony experienced by individuals. This is often seen in the context of childbirth, where the pain and struggle are intense and overwhelming. For example, in Jeremiah 4:31 , the prophet describes the anguish of Jerusalem as a woman in labor: "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!’"

2. Divine Judgment:
· Writhing is also used metaphorically to describe the response of nations or peoples under divine judgment. In Isaiah 13:8 , the prophet speaks of the terror that will seize the people on the day of the Lord: "Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at one another, their faces aflame."

3. Emotional and Spiritual Turmoil:
· Beyond physical pain, writhing can symbolize deep emotional or spiritual turmoil. This is evident in the prophetic literature, where the imagery of writhing conveys the inner struggle and despair of those who have turned away from God. In Micah 4:10 , the prophet calls on the daughter of Zion to "writhe and groan like a woman in labor, for now you will leave the city and camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued; there the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies."

Theological Implications:

· Human Suffering and Redemption:
· The use of "writhes" in the Bible underscores the reality of human suffering in a fallen world. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the pain that often accompanies life apart from God. However, it also points to the hope of redemption and deliverance. The imagery of labor pains, while intense, ultimately leads to the birth of new life, symbolizing the transformative power of God's salvation.

· Call to Repentance:
· The prophetic calls to "writhe" often serve as a call to repentance. They urge the people to recognize their sin, experience the pain of separation from God, and turn back to Him for healing and restoration. This theme is prevalent throughout the prophetic books, where the call to repentance is coupled with the promise of God's mercy and redemption.

Cultural and Historical Context:

· In the ancient Near Eastern context, the imagery of childbirth was a powerful symbol of both suffering and hope. The physical pain of labor was well understood, and its use in prophetic literature would have resonated deeply with the original audience. The metaphor of writhing in labor thus served as a vivid illustration of the spiritual and emotional struggles faced by the people of Israel and Judah.

Conclusion:

The concept of "writhes" in the Bible is rich with meaning, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of human experience. It serves as a poignant reminder of the reality of suffering, the consequences of sin, and the hope of redemption through God's grace.2342a. chul -- to whirl, dance, writhe
... 1), waited (2), whirl (1), whirling (1), wounded (2), wounds (1), writhe (2), writhe
in anguish (1), writhe in pain (1), writhed (2), writhes (2), writhes in ...
/hebrew/2342a.htm - 6k

Love's Commendation
... That frame which writhes in torture writhes for you; those knees, so weak with pain,
are weak for you; those eyes, dripping with showers of tears, do drop for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/loves commendation.htm

Hymn for all Hours
... all his malice spent in vain; See! the hissing neck is broken as he writhes
in sullen pain. Aye, what boots it, cursed Serpent, that ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/ix hymn for all hours.htm

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... But here it will be found how hard it is to do good works according to God's
Commandment, how nature squirms, twists and writhes in its opposition to it ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt not steal.htm

The Purifying Influence of Hope
... If you take a fish out of water and bring it up into the upper air, it writhes and
gasps, and is dead presently; and our evil tendencies and sins, drawn up out ...
/.../the purifying influence of hope.htm

Growing Faith.
... geographically. Jew, Samaritan, it is a Roman this time, one of the conquering
nation under whose iron heel the nation writhes restlessly. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/growing faith.htm

Excellency of the Christian Institution.
... See where they have nailed the Lord and giver of life! how his wounds blacken,
his body writhes, and heart heaves with pity and with agony! ...
/.../sect vi excellency of the.htm

Evans -- the Fall and Recovery of Man
... Conscience is chastizing him with scorpions. See how he writhes! Hear how he shrieks
for help! Mark what agony and terror are in his soul, and on his brow! ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/evans the fall and.htm

Christ Triumphant
... I know them. First of all there is the arch enemy. Look at the old serpent,
bound and fettered, how he writhes his ragged length along! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christ triumphant.htm

Chastisements.
... For instance, his heart "writhes" within him, the "terrors of death" are on him,
"fear and trembling" are come on him, and "horror" has covered him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xiv chastisements.htm

The Approbation of Goodness is not the Love of It.
... Nay, it may exist without any sorrow for sin, as in the instance of the hardened
transgressor who writhes under its awful power, but never sheds a penitential ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the approbation of goodness is.htm

Writhes (3 Occurrences)
...Writhes (3 Occurrences). Job 15:20 the wicked man writhes in pain all his days,
even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/w/writhes.htm - 7k

Oppressor (28 Occurrences)
... Job 15:20 the wicked man writhes in pain all his days, even the number of years
that are laid up for the oppressor. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/o/oppressor.htm - 15k

Writhing (2 Occurrences)

/w/writhing.htm - 7k

Writhed (4 Occurrences)

/w/writhed.htm - 7k

Ruthless (21 Occurrences)
... Job 15:20 the wicked man writhes in pain all his days, even the number of
years that are laid up for the oppressor. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/ruthless.htm - 12k

Suffers (17 Occurrences)
... NAS). Job 15:20 the wicked man writhes in pain all his days, even the number
of years that are laid up for the oppressor. (See NIV). ...
/s/suffers.htm - 10k

Pain (172 Occurrences)
... Job 15:20 the wicked man writhes in pain all his days, even the number of years
that are laid up for the oppressor. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/p/pain.htm - 43k

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