CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hosea 13:13 Labor pains come upon him, but he is an unwise son. When the time arrives, he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hosea/13-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/28_Hos_13_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hosea 13:13 - God's Mercy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Labor pains come upon him, but he is an unwise son. When the time arrives, he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/hosea/13-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/hosea/13-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/hosea/">Hosea</a> > <a href="/hosea/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hosea/13-12.htm" title="Hosea 13:12">◄</a> Hosea 13:13 <a href="/hosea/13-14.htm" title="Hosea 13:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/hosea/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/hosea/13.htm">New International Version</a> Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he doesn&#8217t have the sense to come out of the womb. <a href="/nlt/hosea/13.htm">New Living Translation</a> Pain has come to the people like the pain of childbirth, but they are like a child who resists being born. The moment of birth has arrived, but they stay in the womb! <a href="/esv/hosea/13.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/hosea/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Labor pains come upon him, but he is an unwise son. When the time arrives, he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb. <a href="/kjv/hosea/13.htm">King James Bible</a> The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children. <a href="/nkjv/hosea/13.htm">New King James Version</a> The sorrows of a woman in childbirth shall come upon him. He is an unwise son, For he should not stay long where children are born. <a href="/nasb_/hosea/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The pains of childbirth come on him; He is not a wise son, For it is not the time that he should delay at the opening of the womb. <a href="/nasb/hosea/13.htm">NASB 1995</a> The pains of childbirth come upon him; He is not a wise son, For it is not the time that he should delay at the opening of the womb. <a href="/nasb77/hosea/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a> The pains of childbirth come upon him; He is not a wise son, For it is not the time that he should delay at the opening of the womb. <a href="/lsb/hosea/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The pains of childbirth come upon him; He is not a wise son, For it is not the time that he should delay at the opening of the womb. <a href="/amp/hosea/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The pains of childbirth come on him; But he is not a wise son, For it is not the time to delay [his chance at a new birth] as the womb opens [but he ignores the opportunity to change]. <a href="/csb/hosea/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Labor pains come on him. He is not a wise son; when the time comes, he will not be born. <a href="/hcsb/hosea/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Labor pains come on him. He is not a wise son; when the time comes, he will not be born. <a href="/asv/hosea/13.htm">American Standard Version</a> The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for it is time he should not tarry in the place of the breaking forth of children. <a href="/cev/hosea/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You are like a senseless child who refuses to be born at the proper time. <a href="/erv/hosea/13.htm">English Revised Version</a> The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for it is time he should not tarry in the place of the breaking forth of children. <a href="/gwt/hosea/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They have the opportunity to live again, but they are not smart enough to take it. They are like a baby who is about to be born but won't come out of its mother's womb. <a href="/gnt/hosea/13.htm">Good News Translation</a> Israel has a chance to live, but is too foolish to take it--like a child about to be born, who refuses to come out of the womb. <a href="/isv/hosea/13.htm">International Standard Version</a> When the time of childbirth comes, he will be so foolish that he will refuse to be born." <a href="/net/hosea/13.htm">NET Bible</a> The labor pains of a woman will overtake him, but the baby will lack wisdom; when the time arrives, he will not come out of the womb! <a href="/nheb/hosea/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The sorrows of a travailing woman will come on him. He is an unwise son; for when it is time, he doesn't come to the opening of the womb. <a href="/wbt/hosea/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/hosea/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Labor pains come upon him, but he is an unwise son. When the time arrives, he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb. <a href="/web/hosea/13.htm">World English Bible</a> The sorrows of a travailing woman will come on him. He is an unwise son, for when it is time, he doesn’t come to the opening of the womb. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hosea/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Pangs of a travailing woman come to him, "" He [is] not a wise son, "" For he does not remain [at] the time for the breaking forth of sons. <a href="/ylt/hosea/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Pangs of a travailing woman come to him, He is a son not wise, For he remaineth not the time for the breaking forth of sons. <a href="/slt/hosea/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> The pains of her bringing forth shall come to him: he a son not wise; for now he shall not stand in the breaking forth of sons.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hosea/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> The sorrows of a woman in labour snail come upon him, he is an unwise son: for now he shall not stand in the breach of the children. <a href="/cpdv/hosea/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> The pains of giving birth will reach him. He is an unwise son. For now he will not remain firm during the contrition of his sons. <a href="/nabre/hosea/13.htm">New American Bible</a> The birth pangs will come for him, but this is an unwise child, Who, when it is time, does not present himself at the mouth of the womb. <a href="/nrsvce/hosea/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The pangs of childbirth come for him, but he is an unwise son; for at the proper time he does not present himself at the mouth of the womb.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hosea/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> The pangs like those of a woman in travail shall come upon him because he is an unwise son; for now he shall not be in pain of childbirth. <a href="/hpbt/hosea/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Pains as of a woman in labor will come upon him; because he is a son that is not wise, therefore he shall not remain in the pains of bearing children<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/hosea/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> The throes of a travailing woman shall come upon him; He is an unwise son; For it is time he should not tarry In the place of the breaking forth of children. <a href="/sep/hosea/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Pains as of a woman in travail shall come upon him: he is thy wise son, because he shall not stay in the destruction of thy children. <a href="/parallel/hosea/13-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xpPG1oLnpGk?start=2056" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/hosea/13.htm">God's Mercy</a> …12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is stored up. 13<a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: yō·w·lê·ḏāh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">Labor</a> <a href="/hebrew/2256.htm" title="2256: ḥeḇ·lê (N-mpc) -- A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin.">pains</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: yā·ḇō·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">come</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">upon him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū- (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">but he is</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2450.htm" title="2450: ḥā·ḵām (Adj-ms) -- Wise. From chakam; wise.">an unwise</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇên (N-ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">When</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: ‘êṯ (N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">the time arrives,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bā·nîm (N-mp) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">fails</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: ya·‘ă·mōḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">to present himself</a> <a href="/hebrew/4866.htm" title="4866: bə·miš·bar (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Place of breach. From shabar; the orifice of the womb.">at the opening of the womb.</a> 14I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from Death. Where, O Death, are your plagues? Where, O Sheol, is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Isaiah 13:8</a> Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear. <a href="/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Jeremiah 4:31</a> 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!” <a href="/micah/4-9.htm">Micah 4:9-10</a> Why do you now cry aloud? Is there no king among you? Has your counselor perished so that anguish grips you like a woman in labor? / Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor. For now you will leave the city and camp in the open fields. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued; there the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies! <a href="/isaiah/26-17.htm">Isaiah 26:17-18</a> As a woman with child about to give birth writhes and cries out in pain, so were we in Your presence, O LORD. / We were with child; we writhed in pain; but we gave birth to wind. We have given no salvation to the earth, nor brought any life into the world. <a href="/john/16-21.htm">John 16:21</a> A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. <a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Romans 8:22</a> We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3</a> While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. <a href="/matthew/24-8.htm">Matthew 24:8</a> All these are the beginning of birth pains. <a href="/isaiah/66-7.htm">Isaiah 66:7-9</a> “Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy. / Who 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. / 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. <a href="/revelation/12-2.htm">Revelation 12:2</a> She was pregnant and crying out in the pain and agony of giving birth. <a href="/jeremiah/30-6.htm">Jeremiah 30:6</a> Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale? <a href="/isaiah/37-3.htm">Isaiah 37:3</a> 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. <a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">1 Samuel 4:19-20</a> Now Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and about to give birth. When she heard the news of the capture of God’s ark and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband, she collapsed and gave birth, for her labor pains overtook her. / As she was dying, the women attending to her said, “Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son!” But she did not respond or pay any heed. <a href="/psalms/48-6.htm">Psalm 48:6</a> Trembling seized them there, anguish like a woman in labor. <a href="/jeremiah/13-21.htm">Jeremiah 13:21</a> What will you say when He sets over you close allies whom you yourself trained? Will not pangs of anguish grip you, as they do a woman in labor?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come on him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.sorrows.<a href="/psalms/48-6.htm">Psalm 48:6</a> Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.<a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Isaiah 13:8</a> 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.<a href="/isaiah/21-3.htm">Isaiah 21:3</a> Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.an.<a href="/proverbs/22-3.htm">Proverbs 22:3</a> A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.<a href="/acts/24-25.htm">Acts 24:25</a> And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.for he.<a href="/2_kings/19-3.htm">2 Kings 19:3</a> And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.<a href="/isaiah/26-17.htm">Isaiah 26:17</a> Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.<a href="/isaiah/37-3.htm">Isaiah 37:3</a> And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.long.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/14-5.htm">Arrives</a> <a href="/hosea/9-16.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/hosea/4-2.htm">Breaking</a> <a href="/hosea/11-1.htm">Child</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-43.htm">Childbirth</a> <a href="/hosea/11-10.htm">Children</a> <a href="/daniel/9-19.htm">Delay</a> <a href="/hosea/10-1.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/hosea/2-15.htm">Opening</a> <a href="/daniel/10-16.htm">Pains</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-43.htm">Pangs</a> <a href="/hosea/10-6.htm">Present</a> <a href="/hosea/12-6.htm">Right</a> <a href="/daniel/10-16.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-8.htm">Tarry</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Throes</a> <a href="/hosea/12-9.htm">Time</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-23.htm">Travailing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Unwise</a> <a href="/hosea/7-11.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/hosea/1-6.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/hosea/12-3.htm">Womb</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zephaniah/2-2.htm">Arrives</a> <a href="/micah/5-3.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/joel/2-8.htm">Breaking</a> <a href="/hosea/13-16.htm">Child</a> <a href="/micah/4-9.htm">Childbirth</a> <a href="/hosea/13-16.htm">Children</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-3.htm">Delay</a> <a href="/hosea/14-5.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-8.htm">Opening</a> <a href="/hosea/13-14.htm">Pains</a> <a href="/micah/4-9.htm">Pangs</a> <a href="/hosea/14-2.htm">Present</a> <a href="/hosea/14-4.htm">Right</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-18.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/micah/5-7.htm">Tarry</a> <a href="/matthew/24-8.htm">Throes</a> <a href="/joel/1-14.htm">Time</a> <a href="/micah/4-9.htm">Travailing</a> <a href="/acts/19-36.htm">Unwise</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-8.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/hosea/14-9.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/matthew/19-12.htm">Womb</a><div class="vheading2">Hosea 13</div>1. <a href="/hosea/13-1.htm">Ephraim's glory vanishes.</a> 4. <a href="/hosea/13-4.htm">God's anger.</a> 9. <a href="/hosea/13-9.htm">God's mercy.</a> 15. <a href="/hosea/13-15.htm">The judgment of Samaria.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hosea/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Labor pains come upon him This phrase metaphorically describes the impending judgment and distress that Israel faces due to their unfaithfulness to God. In the Bible, labor pains often symbolize sudden and inevitable suffering or judgment (<a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Isaiah 13:8</a>, <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3</a>). The imagery of labor pains suggests an unavoidable process that must be endured, reflecting the consequences of Israel's idolatry and rebellion against God.but he is an unwise son The "unwise son" refers to Israel's foolishness in not recognizing the need for repentance and return to God. Wisdom in the biblical context is often associated with the fear of the Lord and obedience to His commandments (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). Israel's lack of wisdom is evident in their continued pursuit of idols and alliances with foreign nations, ignoring the covenant relationship with God. This phrase highlights the spiritual immaturity and stubbornness of the nation.When the time arrives This indicates a critical moment or opportunity for change and redemption. In the context of childbirth, it is the moment when the child should be born. Spiritually, it represents the time when Israel should have turned back to God. The prophetic literature often speaks of appointed times for judgment and salvation (<a href="/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1</a>, <a href="/daniel/12.htm">Daniel 12:1</a>).he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb This phrase illustrates Israel's failure to seize the opportunity for renewal and deliverance. The "opening of the womb" symbolizes a new beginning or birth, which Israel neglects. In biblical terms, birth can represent spiritual rebirth or the emergence of a new era (<a href="/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3-7</a>). Israel's failure to "present himself" signifies their reluctance to embrace God's offer of restoration and life. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of new birth and redemption for humanity (<a href="/john/1-12.htm">John 1:12-13</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/h/hosea.htm">Hosea</a> A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, whose ministry was to call Israel back to faithfulness to God amidst their idolatry and moral decline. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The Northern Kingdom, often referred to metaphorically as an unwise son in this passage, representing the nation’s failure to repent and return to God. 3. <a href="/topical/c/childbirth.htm">Childbirth</a> Used metaphorically to describe the impending judgment and the opportunity for Israel to repent, which they fail to seize. 4. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The divine voice speaking through Hosea, expressing both judgment and the desire for Israel’s repentance. 5. <a href="/topical/j/judgment.htm">Judgment</a> The impending consequence of Israel's persistent idolatry and rebellion against God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_repentance.htm">The Urgency of Repentance</a> Just as childbirth is an urgent and unavoidable event, so is the call to repentance. Delaying repentance can lead to missed opportunities for spiritual renewal. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_foolishness.htm">The Consequences of Foolishness</a> Being an "unwise son" highlights the folly of ignoring God’s warnings. Wisdom is found in heeding God’s call and turning away from sin. <a href="/topical/g/god's_desire_for_spiritual_birth.htm">God’s Desire for Spiritual Birth</a> God desires that His people experience a spiritual rebirth, emerging from the "womb" of sin into a life of obedience and faithfulness. <a href="/topical/t/the_pain_of_unfulfilled_potential.htm">The Pain of Unfulfilled Potential</a> The imagery of childbirth pains without delivery symbolizes the tragedy of unfulfilled potential when one fails to respond to God’s call. <a href="/topical/t/the_hope_of_redemption.htm">The Hope of Redemption</a> Despite the warnings of judgment, there is always hope for redemption and restoration if one chooses to turn back to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hosea_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hosea 13</a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_babies_to_suffer.htm">Why does God allow babies to be born with painful, fatal diseases if He knits them in the womb (Psalm 139:13)?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_hosea_13_14_promise_deliverance.htm">Hosea 13:14: Why does this verse promise deliverance from death when the broader context seems focused on judgment and destruction, potentially creating a theological conflict?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_idolatry_in_hosea_2_13.htm">Is there archaeological or historical evidence supporting the idolatry practices described in Hosea 2:13?</a> <a href="/q/does_hosea_13_7-8_show_god_as_loving.htm">Hosea 13:7-8: Does the graphic depiction of God as a devouring predator align with a loving deity, or does it represent an inconsistency in the biblical portrayal of God's character?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hosea/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) Travailing woman.--Ephraim is first addressed as a travailing woman; but the imagery passes to the condition of the unborn child, which tarries just where it should issue into the light of the world. Lack of seasonable repentance increases the danger at this critical stage of Israel's destiny. The latter part of the verse is missed in the rendering of the English version. Read, For at the right time he standeth not in the place where children break forth. But the use of the Hebrew word for "at the right time" ('?th) is doubtful. Perhaps the word should be read 'attah ("now"), as Buhl, in Zeitschrift fr Kirchliche Wissenschaft, suggests. (Comp. <a href="/ezekiel/27-34.htm" title="In the time when you shall be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters your merchandise and all your company in the middle of you shall fall.">Ezekiel 27:34</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hosea/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 13. - The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him. The threatened punishment that is to overtake them is compared to the throes of a parturient woman, on account of their severity, as <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3</a>. Their sinfulness, which stands in the way of their success, shall be succeeded by severe sufferings and many sorrows. But eventually these worldly sorrows shall, under Divine grace, issue in the godly sorrows of repentance: then, and not till then, shall a new and happier period of existence be ushered in. The sorrow of travail shall give place to the joy of birth Delay of confession and repentance defers that joy, prolongs the sufferings, and puts the life of both parent and child in peril, so far as their personality is identical. He is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children. Here the unwisdom of Israel is accounted for: it is folly, sheer folly that postpones repentance, and delays efforts and aspirations after new spiritual life, The literal rendering of the last clause is - (1) For it is time, he should not tarry at the place of the breaking forth of children; or rather, (2) When it is time, he does not place himself at (literally, stand) or come forward to the opening of the womb; and some translate עֵתִ (3) "at the time," but that would rather require לְעֵת; it might, indeed, be duration of time, and Aben Ezra so renders it: "Therefore at the time he will not stand in the breaking forth of children." Also Wunsche: "He is an unwise son, for at the time he stands not in the breaking forth of children." It might be expressed, as in the Authorized Version, with a slight modification; thus: For otherwise he would not stand long time in the place of the breaking forth of children. The figure is now shifted from the mother to the child; such abrupt and sudden transitions are not infrequent in Scripture, especially in the Pauline Epistles (setup. e.g. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-13.htm">2 Corinthians 3:13-16</a>). The danger is represented as extreme, as may be inferred from the similar expression, "The children are come to the birth, and there is no strength to bring forth." A perilous period in Israel's history is indicated, and to escape the danger he must make no tarrying, but advance at once into the new life of faith and repentance. Kimchi has the following comment: "Because he has compared his pains to the pain of a woman in travail, he says, 'The children are not wise,' as if he said, 'The coming generations, who have seen their fathers in affliction because of their iniquities, are not wise, and do not consider that distress has overtaken their fathers because of their iniquity; and turn not from the evil deeds of their fathers, but have done wickedness like them.'" He adds: "There are children lively by nature in their coming forth out of the womb; so also would these, if they were wise, not stay a single hour in distress, but immediately On returning to the Lord be delivered out of their distress." The LXX. omit the negative and render מי by ἐν συντριβῇ: "This wise son of thine [employed ironically] shall not stand [or, 'endure'] in the destruction of his children or people." <a href="/commentaries/hosea/13-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Labor יֽוֹלֵדָ֖ה (yō·w·lê·ḏāh) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage pains חֶבְלֵ֥י (ḥeḇ·lê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2256.htm">Strong's 2256: </a> A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin come יָבֹ֣אוּ (yā·ḇō·’ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go upon him, ל֑וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> but he is הוּא־ (hū-) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are an unwise חָכָ֔ם (ḥā·ḵām) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2450.htm">Strong's 2450: </a> Wise son. בֵן֙ (ḇên) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son When כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction the time has arrived, עֵ֥ת (‘êṯ) Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> Time, now, when he בָּנִֽים׃ (bā·nîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son does not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no present himself יַעֲמֹ֖ד (ya·‘ă·mōḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> To stand, in various relations at the opening of the womb. בְּמִשְׁבַּ֥ר (bə·miš·bar) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4866.htm">Strong's 4866: </a> The orifice of the womb <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hosea/13-13.htm">Hosea 13:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hosea/13-13.htm">Hosea 13:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hosea/13-13.htm">Hosea 13:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hosea/13-13.htm">Hosea 13:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hosea/13-13.htm">Hosea 13:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hosea/13-13.htm">Hosea 13:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hosea/13-13.htm">Hosea 13:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hosea/13-13.htm">Hosea 13:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hosea/13-13.htm">Hosea 13:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hosea/13-13.htm">Hosea 13:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hosea/13-13.htm">OT Prophets: Hosea 13:13 The sorrows of a travailing woman will (Ho Hs Hos.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hosea/13-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hosea 13:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hosea 13:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hosea/13-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hosea 13:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hosea 13:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>