New English Translation
Isaiah 66:9
9“Do I bring a baby to the birth opening and then not deliver it?” asks the Lord. “Or do I bring a baby to the point of delivery and then hold it back?” asks your God.
Isaiah 66:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
- New International Version (NIV)Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?" says the Lord; "shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?" says your God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?” says the Lord. “Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?” says your God.
Context of Isaiah 66:9
7Before she goes into labor, she gives birth! Before her contractions begin, she delivers a boy! 8Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen this? Can a country be brought forth in one day? Can a nation be born in a single moment? Yet as soon as Zion goes into labor she gives birth to sons! “Do I bring a baby to the birth opening and then not deliver it?” asks the Lord. “Or do I bring a baby to the point of delivery and then hold it back?” asks your God. 10Be happy for Jerusalem and rejoice with her, all you who love her! Share in her great joy, all you who have mourned over her! 11For you will nurse from her satisfying breasts and be nourished; you will feed with joy from her milk-filled breasts.
Read all of Isaiah 66Isaiah 66:9 word by word
הַאֲנִ֥י אַשְׁבִּ֛יר וְלֹ֥א אוֹלִ֖יד יֹאמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה אִם־אֲנִ֧י הַמּוֹלִ֛יד וְעָצַ֖רְתִּי אָמַ֥ר אֱלֹהָֽיִךְ׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Isaiah 66:9
- Isaiah 37:3“This is what Hezekiah says: ‘This is a day of distress, insults, and humiliation, as when a baby is ready to leave the birth canal, but the mother lacks the strength to push it through.
- Genesis 18:14Is anything impossible for the Lord? I will return to you when the season comes round again and Sarah will have a son.”
Commentaries on Isaiah 66:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Shall I bring to the birth - אשביר האני haani ashbir, num ego matricem frangam; Montanus. The word means that which immediately precedes the appearance of the fetus - the breaking forth of the liquor amnii. This also is an expression that should be studiously avoided in prayers and sermons.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Shall I bring to the birth? - The sense of this verse is plain. It is, that God would certainly accomplish what he had here predicted, and for which he had made ample arrangements and preparations. He would not commence the work, and then abandon it. The figure which is used here is obvious; but one which does not render very ample illustration proper. Jarchi has well expressed it: Num ego adducerem uxorem meam ad sellam partus, sc. ad partitudinem, et…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-14Verses 5-14 The prophet turns to those that trembled at God's word, to comfort and encourage them. The Lord will appear, to the joy of the humble believer, and to the confusion of hypocrites and persecutors. When the Spirit was poured out, and the gospel went forth from Zion, multitudes were converted in a little time. The word of God, especially his promises, and ordinances, are the consolations of the church. The true happiness of all Christians is…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9The Lord promised that he would surely recreate his holy nation.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. cause to bring forth, and shut--rather, "Shall I who beget, restrain the birth?" [Lowth], (Is 37:3; Ho 13:13); that is, Shall I who have begun, not finish My work of restoring Israel? (1Sa 3:12; Ro 11:1; Php 1:6). shut--(compare Re 3:7, 8).Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 66:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 66
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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