Isaiah 13:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Fear, pain, and confusion will grip people in the throes of destruction.
The Context of Isaiah 13:8
The scene of collective terror and anguish as judgment unfolds.
What Does Isaiah 13:8 Mean?
'Pangs and sorrows' and pain 'as a woman that travaileth' evoke childbirth—the acute suffering of labor. The metaphor suggests both terrible pain and helplessness, as childbirth is a natural process that cannot be halted by human will.
Confusion spreads as 'they shall be amazed one at another'—people look to each other in shock and disbelief. 'Their faces shall be as flames' may describe either the red glow of fire or the flushed appearance of extreme terror and fever.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 13:8
What does Isaiah 13:8 mean?
Fear, pain, and confusion will grip people in the throes of destruction.
What is the context of Isaiah 13:8?
The scene of collective terror and anguish as judgment unfolds.