Isaiah 66:9
Isaiah 66:9 in Multiple Translations
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.
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.
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith Jehovah: shall I that cause to bring forth shut the womb? saith thy God.
Will I by whom the birth was started, not make it complete? says the Lord. Will I who make children come to birth, let them be kept back? says your God.
Would I bring a baby to the point of birth and then not deliver it? the Lord asks. Would I who deliver the baby stop it from being born? the Lord asks again.
Shall I cause to trauaile, and not bring forth? shall I cause to bring forth, and shall be baren, saith thy God?
'Do I bring to the birth, And not cause to bring forth?' saith Jehovah, 'Am not I He who is causing to beget? I have also restrained,' said thy God.
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to be delivered?” says the LORD. “Shall I who cause to give birth shut the womb?” says your God.
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.
Shall not I that make others to bring forth children, myself bring forth, saith the Lord? shall I, that give generation to others, be barren, saith the Lord thy God?
Women certainly do not [RHQ] bring infants to the time when they are ready to be born and then do not allow them to be born. Similarly, he will do for Jerusalem [MET] what he has promised to do: He will cause Jerusalem to be full of people again. That will happen because Yahweh has said it.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 66:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 66:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַ/אֲנִ֥י
אַשְׁבִּ֛יר
וְ/לֹ֥א
אוֹלִ֖יד
יֹאמַ֣ר
יְהוָ֑ה
אִם
אֲנִ֧י
הַ/מּוֹלִ֛יד
וְ/עָצַ֖רְתִּי
אָמַ֥ר
אֱלֹהָֽיִ/ךְ
הַ/אֲנִ֥י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Part | Pron
אַשְׁבִּ֛יר
shâbar
H7665
to break
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
אוֹלִ֖יד
yâlad
H3205
to beget
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
יֹאמַ֣ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
אֲנִ֧י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
הַ/מּוֹלִ֛יד
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Art | V-Hiphil
וְ/עָצַ֖רְתִּי
ʻâtsâr
H6113
to restrain
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
אָמַ֥ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֱלֹהָֽיִ/ךְ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 66:9
הַ/אֲנִ֥י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Part | Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
אַשְׁבִּ֛יר
shâbar
H7665
"to break"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.
Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אוֹלִ֖יד
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
יֹאמַ֣ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
אֲנִ֧י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
הַ/מּוֹלִ֛יד
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Art | V-Hiphil
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
וְ/עָצַ֖רְתִּי
ʻâtsâr
H6113
"to restrain"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
This Hebrew word means to restrain or hold back, often used in the context of controlling one's actions or emotions. In the book of Psalms, it describes God's power to restrain evil. The word can also mean to assemble or rule over something.
Definition: 1) to restrain, retain, close up, shut, withhold, refrain, stay, detain 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to restrain, halt, stop 1a2) to retain 1b) (Niphal) to be restrained, be stayed, be under restraint
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able, close up, detain, fast, keep (self close, still), prevail, recover, refrain, [idiom] reign, restrain, retain, shut (up), slack, stay, stop, withhold (self). See also: Genesis 16:2; 1 Chronicles 12:1; Psalms 106:30.
אָמַ֥ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֱלֹהָֽיִ/ךְ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
Study Notes — Isaiah 66:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 66:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 66:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 66:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 66:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 66:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 66:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 66:9
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 66:9
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 66:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 66:9
- Sermons on Isaiah 66:9
Context — Rejoice with Jerusalem
7“Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy.
8Who has heard of such as this? Who has seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be delivered in an instant? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children.
9Shall 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.
10Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her, all who love her. Rejoice greatly with her, all who mourn over her, 11so that you may nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you may drink deeply and delight yourselves in her glorious abundance.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | Genesis 18:14 | Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.” |
Isaiah 66:9 Summary
[Isaiah 66:9 is a beautiful verse that reminds us of God's power and faithfulness. Just like a baby is brought to the point of birth and then delivered, God delivers His people and brings to completion the things He has started. This means we can trust in His power and faithfulness to take care of us, just like a mother takes care of her baby (Psalm 113:9). We can have confidence that God will fulfill His promises in our lives, just as He has done for His people throughout history (Joshua 21:45).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main idea of Isaiah 66:9?
In Isaiah 66:9, the Lord is emphasizing His power and faithfulness in bringing to completion the things He has started, as seen in the analogy of childbirth, where a baby is brought to the point of birth and then delivered, just like God delivers His people (Isaiah 66:9, Psalm 138:8).
Is God's power limited in any way?
According to Isaiah 66:9, God's power is not limited, for He is the One who brings a baby to the point of birth and delivers it, just as He delivers His people, demonstrating His ability to fulfill His promises (Isaiah 55:11, Jeremiah 1:12).
What does this verse reveal about God's character?
This verse reveals God's character as a faithful and powerful God who keeps His promises and brings to completion the things He has started, as seen in the way He delivers a baby and also delivers His people (Isaiah 66:9, Matthew 24:35).
How does this verse relate to our lives?
This verse reminds us that just as God is faithful to deliver a baby, He is also faithful to deliver us in times of need, and we can trust in His power and faithfulness to bring to completion the things He has started in our lives (Philippians 1:6, Isaiah 46:4).
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's power and faithfulness to bring to completion?
- How can I apply the principle of God's faithfulness in Isaiah 66:9 to my daily life and challenges?
- In what ways can I rejoice and give thanks for God's deliverance and faithfulness in my life, just as the verse encourages rejoicing over Jerusalem?
- What are some promises of God that I am waiting to see fulfilled, and how can I trust in His power and faithfulness to bring them to completion?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 66:9
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth, saith the Lord?.... Or, "to the place of breaking" forth of children, as in Hosea 13:13, the womb, and the mouth of it: or, "shall I break or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 66:9
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. Shall I cause to bring forth, and shut (the womb)?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 66:9
The work before spoken of seemeth not after the manner of men, who do things that are great gradually, nor in an ordinary course of nature, whose motions also bring things by degrees to their perfection; but you must consider who it is that speaketh, saith the Lord; now as is the God, so is his strength. Again, men may undertake things, and for want of power not bring them to perfection; but shall I do such a thing? I have by many prophecies and promises secured you in the expectation of such a thing, and shall I not by my providence effect it? I, that in the ordinary course of my providence use to give a birth to women, to whom I have given a power to conceive, shall I not give a birth to Zion, to my people, whom by my prophecies and promises I have made to conceive such hopes and expectations? Nor shall Zion once only bring forth, but she shall go on teeming; her womb shall not be shut, she shall every day bring forth more and more children; my presence shall be with my church to that end, to the end of the world.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 66:9
Isaiah 66:9 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.Ver. 9. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth?] i.e., Shall I set upon a work and not go through with it? God began and finished his work of creation. Christ is both "author and finisher" of his people’ s faith. The Holy Ghost will sanctify the elect wholly, "and keep them blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Nescit tarda molimina Spiritus Sancti gratia, saith Ambrose. Otherwise his power and mercy would not equally appear to his people in regeneration, as the power and mercy of the Father and the Son in creation and redemption.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 66:9
(9) Shall I bring to the birth . . .—The implied thought is that God will not leave His work of national restoration unfinished. There shall not be that frustration of hopes when they seem just on the point of being fulfilled which the history of the world so often records. (Comp. Isaiah 37:3.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 66:9
Verse 9. Shall I bring to the birth] האני אשביר 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.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 66:9
9. Comp. ch. Isaiah 37:3; “the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.” But in this crisis Jehovah Himself is present, and what He begins He will carry on to its marvellous issue. The second half of the verse should be rendered as in R.V. shall I that cause to bring forth shut the womb? &c.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 66:9
Shall 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.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 66:9
7-9. Before she — That is, Zion. Before she came to such throes as described above, she brought forth a man child. Some suppose the birth of Jesus Christ is here intended.
Sermons on Isaiah 66:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
True Gospel - Pt6 - Acceptance in the Beloved by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences and reflections on his journey with God. He talks about how he initially approached serving God with a strong work ethic, bu |
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Humility by Andrew Murray | The preacher delves into the concept of 'irrevocable' in the Bible, emphasizing that God's gifts and callings are unchangeable and incapable of being taken back. This means that Go |
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Prevailing Prayer by Gerhard Du Toit | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of evangelism in Africa and Scotland, where they would spend several weeks before making any invitations to allow people to be con |
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Our God Can Fix Anything - Part 1 by David Wilkerson | Pastor Wilkerson of Times Square Church welcomes worshippers from various nationalities and encourages them to draw closer to Jesus through worship and preaching. The sermon emphas |
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The Danger of a Compromised Life by Greg Laurie | In this sermon titled "The Danger of a Compromised Life," Pastor Greg Laurie discusses the story of Moses and the Israelites in the book of Exodus. He highlights how the Israelites |
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Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord? by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and faithfulness of God. He assures the listeners that if they obey God's commands, He will take responsibility for their actions |
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(Genesis) Genesis 17:19-27 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Abraham and God's promise to him. God assures Abraham that he will have a son, Isaac, and that through him, a great nation will |