Isaiah 26:18 Meaning and Explanation
“We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Despite their suffering, the people have produced no visible salvation or earthly triumph.
The Context of Isaiah 26:18
Recognition of human inadequacy to produce salvation opens the way for God's promise.
What Does Isaiah 26:18 Mean?
The contrast from verse 17 is stark: the pangs were like labor, but the result was ''wind''—emptiness, nothing substantial. Despite anguish, no deliverance came through human effort. The people acknowledge their spiritual barrenness in terms of worldly results.
Neither they nor the world's inhabitants have ''fallen''—no enemies are defeated, no external victory is won. This confession of powerlessness precedes God's promise of future action, establishing the need for divine intervention rather than self-help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 26:18
What does Isaiah 26:18 mean?
Despite their suffering, the people have produced no visible salvation or earthly triumph.
What is the context of Isaiah 26:18?
Recognition of human inadequacy to produce salvation opens the way for God's promise.