Translations
Modern
For I hear a cry like a woman in labor, a cry of anguish like one bearing her first child—the cry of the Daughter of Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands to say, “Woe is me, for my soul faints before the murderers!”
Traditional
For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.
Literal
For I have heard a voice like a woman in labor, distress like one bearing her first child—the voice of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath; she spreads out her hands: “Woe now to me! For my soul has grown faint before those killing.”
Latin
Vocem enim quasi parturientis audivi, angustias ut puerperæ: vox filiæ Sion intermorientis, expandentisque manus suas: Væ mihi, quia defecit anima mea propter interfectos!
Original
Hebrew
English
For I hear a cry like a woman in labor, a cry of anguish like one bearing her first child—the cry of the Daughter of Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands to say, “Woe is me, for my soul faints before the murderers!”
Notes
The people in Jerusalem felt such intense anguish that Jeremiah compared their pain to a woman giving birth to her first child. Like these women, beautiful Jerusalem was desperate (Jeremiah 13:21; 23:23; 30:6; Isaiah 1:15; 42:14; Lamentations 1:17).
Events
- Prophecies of Jeremiahc. 628 BC
Places
Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions
Glossary
Topics
Birth: Pangs in Giving Condescension of God: Expostulates with Backsliding Israel Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments War: Evils of