"Woman in Labor" In The Bible

"Woman in Labor" imagery is as common in the Bible as it is descriptive.  The thread of this metaphor runs all the way from the first prophecy given (Gen 3:15) all the way until the last book in the Bible (Rev 12:2).  When this imagery is used by God the implications are always significant.  The fact that a sign highlighted by a "Woman in Labor" is set to appear in the sky in less than 50 days should cause no small amount of trepidation and spur on much prayer and study.  Our hope is that this resource is beneficial in those efforts.

In a way this post is meant to be a companion to  "Stars and Constellations in the Bible" which we posted just a few days prior.  The idea is that when a full list of Biblical references is compiled, it becomes much easier to understand the intended message of the Scriptures.  Many of us first had to become comfortable with the fact that stars and constellations is an acceptable area to study biblically.  Once that foundation was laid then we were able to fully study the Revelation 12 Sign to appreciate its uniqueness and better understand its fulfillment of the text.  Once someone begins to become convinced of this likely fulfillment they will likely wonder:  "What does it mean?"

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Answering that question is what we hope this resource will help you better understand.  As you know a huge portion of Revelation 12 is dedicated to a woman who is pregnant and in labor, ultimately giving birth to a male child.  What you may not know is that this same "Woman in Labor" imagery is used extensively throughout the entire Bible, almost exclusively linked to the End Times and/or the pouring out of God's judgment upon Israel and other nations.  While this listing is not exhaustive, it still contains nearly 40 separate references tied to this subject!

Our hope is that this will be yet another resource to help you interpret the message that Scripture is telling us through the Revelation 12 Sign and help facilitate further study and deeper connections.  Part of what we believe you will find is that in the Bible, "Woman in Labor" imagery is undeniably linked to the pouring out of God's judgment which will ultimately culminate in the Day of the Lord.  For those of us in Christ, this also means that as the 'harpazo' of the church (Rev 12:5) is much closer than most people realize.

The information below would not have been possible without the valuable efforts by Jeff from my favorite website: Unsealed.org.  Jeff dedicated many hours helping me categorize these verses and decipher the meaning of each.  As you will soon see, this was no small task and I am so grateful for his extremely beneficial assistance and wisdom (assistance that was sprung upon him without warning I might add)!  Please join me in thanking Jeff for his help in making this resource possible for all of us!

The list of verses below has been categorized in order of relevance relating specifically to the Revelation 12 Sign.  They have also been grouped into 10 sections to further facilitate your studies.  We understand that there is so much to be shared regarding these verses, yet since this is meant be a summary resource, we have kept our descriptions general in order to let the volume of Scripture remain the focus.  Regardless, we believe you will see that the message conveyed by the text is loud and clear!

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The Last Shall Be First

The last reference in the Bible of a "woman in labor" is in Chapter 12 of Revelation.  It is the culmination of a large number of verses which connect the time of the end and God's judgment to this imagery in a very consistent manner.  Some references are specific, others are more general, but they all seem to be linked to the passage below in one way or another.

Revelation 12:1-6
And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

The BIG Three

These are the BIG Three verses with the most direct connections Rev 12.  We feel that these verses are the foundational Old Testament basis for interpreting the Rev 12 Sign correctly.  This is especially true with regards to the timing of the birth and the other key events such as the end of the current dispensation.  Entire articles have been written about each of these verses and each one deserves considerable study and research. on our parts.  For example, in Micah 5:3 the "woman in labor" sign is the linchpin of an amazing timeline which spans thousands of years signifying the change in the current dispensation (a pretty big deal). Isaiah 66:7 describes a birth before labor for Israel... What on earth could this mean?  To learn see here and here.  Lastly, in Isaiah 26 the "woman in labor" imagery is linked with the resurrection of the dead and beginning of the Day of the Lord.  For more on this amazing passage which also seems to reference the Rapture, see here.

Micah 5:3

Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.

Isaiah 66:7-9
“Before she was in labor she gave birth; before her pain came upon her she delivered a son. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children. 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.

Isaiah 26:16-21
O Lord, in distress they sought you; they poured out a whispered prayer when your discipline was upon them. Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O Lord; we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not fallen. Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by. For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.

Time of Jacob's Trouble / Day of the Lord

The verses in this group contain "woman of labor" imagery directly linked to the Day of the Lord / Time of Jacob's Trouble. These verses help identify what the woman (Israel) will enduring during this coming time.  This is mainly about Israel's distress / Jacob's Trouble during the 7 year tribulation.  In Jeremiah 30 the phrase "like a woman in labor" is used to even describe men during the Time of Jacob's Trouble. In Isaiah 13 and 21 the same metaphor is used for the Day of the Lord.  Additionally, the entire chapter of Micah 4 is eschatological and again we Israel's pain being described in the SAME way.  Lastly, Isaiah 42 is unique in that it's God Himself using the phrase, and describes His terrifying shift toward wrath during the Day of the Lord.

Jeremiah 30:4-7
These are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah: “Thus says the Lord: We have heard a cry of panic, of terror, and no peace. Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor? Why has every face turned pale? Alas! That day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob [Jacob's Trouble]; yet he shall be saved out of it.

Isaiah 13:6-8
Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! Therefore all hands will be feeble, and every human heart will melt. They will be dismayed: pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame.

Micah 4:9-10
Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished, that pain seized you like a woman in labor? Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you shall go out from the city and dwell in the open country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued; there the Lord will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.

Isaiah 42:14
For a long time I have held my peace; I have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor; I will gasp and pant.  I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into islands, and dry up the pools.

Isaiah 21:3 
Therefore my loins are filled with anguish; pangs have seized me, like the pangs of a woman in labor; I am bowed down so that I cannot hear; I am dismayed so that I cannot see.

New Testament Tribulation Imagery

These are all familiar verses in the New Testament which also use the "woman in labor" imagery to describe the Day of the Lord or its soon approach.  1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 is especially relevant considering Paul just got though talking about the rapture. If that wasn't enough we have with it a false peace and an implied escape for us who are not in darkness to these things and should not be surprised.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

Matthew 24:7-8
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
 

Mark 13:8
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
 

Luke 21:23
Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.

Romans 8:19-22
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

Purification Pattern

This one is quite amazing as well. Leviticus 12:1-4 spells out the requirements for a woman who gives birth to a male child (think Rev 12:5).  Notice the day counts she must follow as the 7 days in which she must remain unclean seems to have a direct parallel to the 7 years of Tribulation in which Israel (represented by the woman in Rev 12) will remain unclean prior to being taken in to the Millennium. In addition to this, notice the 33 day count, many people have related that count with the fact that the coming eclipse is exactly 33 days prior to the Rev 12 Sign and together the 40 day count to the Day of Atonement.

Lev 12:1-4
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed.

The Pregnant Remnant 

What seems to be emphasized by these verses is that the "woman in labor" (the remant of Israel) will be nurtured by God as he brings them back into the fold during the Tribulation. This sign clearly has relevance to Israel and it's soon coming time in which they will return to Jesus and recognize Him as their Messiah.  We see that God will personally facilitate this return. Paul even adapted some of the imagery in a passage about the church (Gal 4:24-31). It is encouraging to see that Gods promises will not be broken as He fulfills His covenant with the believing remnant of Israel and leads them to safety.

Revelation 12:13-16

And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. 
 

Revelation 12:6
and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

Jeremiah 31:7-8
For thus says the LORD: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’
Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here.

Micah 4:10b
Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you shall go out from the city and dwell in the open country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued; there the Lord will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.
 

Micah 5:3-5a
Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace.

Isaiah 54:1-3
“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.

Birth Pain Bookends

These 2 verses indicate the starting point of the pain in the world (The Fall) which is ultimately removed during the Millennium.  Isaiah 65 indicates the reversal of all that went wrong back in Gen 3, and "woman in labor" pains are shown to be an integral part of it all.  The pains of Eve ultimately culminate in the pain of the nation of Israel in the Tribulation as indicated by the woman in Rev 12 and its supporting verses.  Said another way, the very first prophecy given in the Bible about increased pain and anguish during childbirth is fully fulfilled by the woman in Rev 12 during the Tribulation.

Genesis 3:16a
To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children.

Isaiah 65:23-25
They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

Woman in Labor Types and Shadows

Each of these passages have a women in labor which we believe could be a type and shadow of an aspect of the Rev 12 Sign and all it seems to be indicating.  Unpacking some of these examples would be an article in itself, but I hope that with the background of Scripture above many of the connections will be evident to you.  Jeff plans to expand upon some of these in future posts at Unsealed if there is time.  Needless to say, the breadth of the imagery below is staggering.

Genesis 38:27-28
When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 

Hosea 13:12-14
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is kept in store. The pangs of childbirth come for him, but he is an unwise son, for at the right time he does not present himself at the opening of the womb. I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.

1 Samuel 4:19-20
Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed and gave birth, for her pains came upon her. And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer or pay attention.

Genesis 35:16-17
Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.”

Isaiah 7:11-17
“Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!”

Jeremiah 4:31 

For I heard a cry as of a woman in labor, anguish as of one giving birth to her first child, the cry of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands, “Woe is me! I am fainting before murderers.”

Jeremiah 6:24-26
We have heard the report of it; our hands fall helpless; anguish has taken hold of us, pain as of a woman in labor. Go not out into the field, nor walk on the road, for the enemy has a sword; terror is on every side. O daughter of my people, put on sackcloth, and roll in ashes; make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.

Jeremiah 13:20-22
“Lift up your eyes and see those who come from the north. Where is the flock that was given you, your beautiful flock? What will you say when they set as head over you those whom you yourself have taught to be friends to you? Will not pangs take hold of you like those of a woman in labor? And if you say in your heart, ‘Why have these things come upon me?’ it is for the greatness of your iniquity that your skirts are lifted up and you suffer violence.

 

Jeremiah 50:43-44
The king of Babylon heard the report of them, and his hands fell helpless; anguish seized him, pain as of a woman in labor. “Behold, like a lion coming up from the thicket of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make them run away from her, and I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me? 

Imagery Consistency

It should be noted that the "woman in labor" phrase is not just used in reference to Israel.  When you see this metaphor it is used in the context of judgment against many other nations as well.  Similarly, in the book of Revelation we see that the effects of the Tribulation are also felt significantly by other nations.

Jeremiah 22:23
O inhabitant of Lebanon, nested among the cedars, how you will be pitied when pangs come upon you, pain as of a woman in labor!”

Jeremiah 48:40-42
For thus says the Lord: “Behold, one shall fly swiftly like an eagle and spread his wings against Moab; the cities shall be taken and the strongholds seized. The heart of the warriors of Moab shall be in that day like the heart of a woman in her birth pains; Moab shall be destroyed and be no longer a people, because he magnified himself against the Lord.

Jeremiah 49:22
Behold, one shall mount up and fly swiftly like an eagle and spread his wings against Bozrah, and the heart of the warriors of Edom shall be in that day like the heart of a woman in her birth pains.”

Jeremiah 49:24
Damascus has become feeble, she turned to flee, and panic seized her; anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in labor.

Psalm 48:6
Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor.

From Groans to Glory

These final verses use childbirth and labor imagery to indicate a transition from present trouble to a future glorified state which will ultimately happen at the rapture of the church.  Present pain is nothing compared to the future glory we will experienced when we are birthed into the presence of Christ. In a similar manner, the remnant Jews (and tribulation saints) will have also have joy after enduring the terrible pain and groaning of the Tribulation.

Romans 8:18-25
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Galatians 4:18-19
It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!

John 16:20-22
Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

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In closing, we believe this should give you a firm foundation to stand on when studying the Rev 12 Sign and all the implications surrounding the woman in labor / pregnancy imagery that is so prevalent. God's judgment (aka Day of the Lord / Jacob's Trouble) could soon be at hand and thus we should eagerly expect the rapture of the church sometime prior to that.  We pray this ignites a passion in your heart to share the Gospel and grow ever closer to our precious Savior until He arrives. There is so much more that could be shared on these passages so be sure to share highlights from your personal studies below.  Personally, we have found that while working on this article many connections seem to jump off the screen simply because everything is organized together in a logical fashion.  Again please share your thoughts below and if we are missing any relevant passages let us know and we will surely add them.