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<!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>Jeremiah 4:31 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!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/4-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/24_Jer_04_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 4:31 - Lamentation for Judah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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!" /><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/jeremiah/4-31.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/jeremiah/4-31.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="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 31</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="/ad11.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="/jeremiah/4-30.htm" title="Jeremiah 4:30">◄</a> Jeremiah 4:31 <a href="/jeremiah/5-1.htm" title="Jeremiah 5:1">►</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/jeremiah/4.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/jeremiah/4.htm">New International Version</a> I hear a cry as of a woman in labor, a groan as of one bearing her first child— the cry of Daughter Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands and saying, &#8220Alas! I am fainting; my life is given over to murderers.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> I hear a cry, like that of a woman in labor, the groans of a woman giving birth to her first child. It is beautiful Jerusalem gasping for breath and crying out, “Help! I’m being murdered!” <a href="/esv/jeremiah/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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.” <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</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="/kjv/jeremiah/4.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/4.htm">New King James Version</a> “For I have heard a voice as of a woman in labor, The anguish as of her who brings forth her first child, The voice of the daughter of Zion bewailing herself; She spreads her hands, saying, ‘Woe is me now, for my soul is weary Because of murderers!’ <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For I heard a voice cry as of a woman in labor, The anguish as of one giving birth to her first child. The voice of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath, Stretching out her hands, saying, “Ah, woe to me, for I faint before murderers.” <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> For I heard a cry as of a woman in labor, The anguish as of one giving birth to her first child, The cry of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath, Stretching out her hands, saying, &#8220Ah, woe is me, for I faint before murderers.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For I heard a cry as of a woman in labor, The anguish as of one giving birth to her first child, The cry of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath, Stretching out her hands, saying, “Ah, woe is me, for I faint before murderers.” <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For I heard a sound as of a woman in labor pains, The distress as of one giving birth to her first child, The sound of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath, Stretching out her hands, saying, “Ah, woe is me, for my soul faints before murderers.” <a href="/amp/jeremiah/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For I heard a cry like a woman in labor, The anguish as of one giving birth to her first child, The cry of the Daughter of Zion (Jerusalem), who gasps for breath, Who stretches out her hands, saying, “Woe is me [my judgment comes]! I faint [in fear] before the murderers.” <a href="/csb/jeremiah/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I hear a cry like a woman in labor, a cry of anguish like one bearing her first child. The cry of Daughter Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands: “Woe is me, for my life is weary because of the murderers! ” <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I hear a cry like a woman in labor, a cry of anguish like one bearing her first child. The cry of Daughter Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands: Woe is me, for my life is weary because of the murderers! <a href="/asv/jeremiah/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that gaspeth for breath, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul fainteth before the murderers. <a href="/cev/jeremiah/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I heard groaning and crying. Was it a woman giving birth to her first child? No, it was Jerusalem, gasping for breath and begging for help. "I'm dying!" she said. "They have murdered me." <a href="/erv/jeremiah/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that gaspeth for breath, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul fainteth before the murderers. <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I hear a woman in labor. I hear the woman cry with anguish as she gives birth to her first child. My people Zion are gasping for breath. They are stretching out their hands, saying, "How horrible it is for us! We're defenseless in the presence of murderers!" <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> I heard a cry, like a woman in labor, a scream like a woman bearing her first child. It was the cry of Jerusalem gasping for breath, stretching out her hand and saying, "I am doomed! They are coming to kill me!" <a href="/isv/jeremiah/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> I heard a cry like that of a woman in labor, anguish like one giving birth to her firstborn, the cry of the daughter of Zion gasping for air, stretching out her hand: "Woe is me! I'm about to faint in front of killers!" <a href="/msb/jeremiah/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</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="/net/jeremiah/4.htm">NET Bible</a> In fact, I hear a cry like that of a woman in labor, a cry of anguish like that of a woman giving birth to her first baby. It is the cry of Daughter Zion gasping for breath, reaching out for help, saying, "I am done in! My life is ebbing away before these murderers!" <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, the anguish as of her who brings forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, who gasps for breath, who spreads her hands, saying, "Woe is me now. For my soul faints before the murderers." <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/jeremiah/4.htm">World English Bible</a> For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, the anguish as of her who gives birth to her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, who gasps for breath, who spreads her hands, saying, “Woe is me now! For my soul faints before the murderers.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> For I have heard a voice as of a travailing woman, "" Distress, as of one bringing forth a firstborn, "" The voice of the daughter of Zion, "" She laments herself, "" She spreads out her hands, "" Woe to me now, my soul is weary of slayers!” <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> For a voice as of a sick woman I have heard, Distress, as of one bringing forth a first-born, The voice of the daughter of Zion, She bewaileth herself, she spreadeth out her hands, 'Woe to me now, for weary is my soul of slayers!' <a href="/slt/jeremiah/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For I heard the voice as of her bringing forth, the anguish as of her bearing her first child; the voice of the daughter of Zion, she will sigh, she will spread forth her hands, Wo now to me for my soul fainted for those slaying.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For I have heard the voice as of a woman in travail, anguishes as of a woman in labor of a child. The voice of the daughter of Sion, dying away, spreading her hands: Woe is me, for my soul hath fainted because of them that are slain. <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For I have heard a voice, like that of a woman giving birth, during the difficulties of labor. It is the voice of the daughter of Zion, dying, extending her hands: ‘Woe to me! For my soul is failing because of those who have been slain!’ ” <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Yes, I hear the cry, like that of a woman in labor, like the anguish of a mother bearing her first child— The cry of daughter Zion gasping, as she stretches out her hands: “Ah, woe is me! I sink exhausted before my killers!” <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For I heard a cry as of a woman in labor, anguish as of one bringing forth her first child, the cry of daughter Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands, “Woe is me! I am fainting before killers!”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For I have heard a voice as of a sick woman, and the anguish as of a woman who is in travail to bring forth her child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, who is wearied and who spreads her hands, saying. Woe is me! for my soul faints because of my men who are slain. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Because I heard a voice like that of a sick woman and she throws herself backward as a woman that is in labor to give birth a sound of the daughter of Zion who is shaking and stretches out her hands and says: “Woe to me, for my soul is stricken for my slain!” <div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, The anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, The voice of the daughter of Zion, that gaspeth for breath, That spreadeth her hands: 'Woe is me, now! for my soul fainteth Before the murderers.' <a href="/sep/jeremiah/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> For I have heard thy groaning as the voice of a woman in travail, as of her that brings forth her first child; the voice of the daughter of Zion shall fail through weakness, and she shall lose the strength of her hands, saying, Woe is me! for my soul faints because of the slain. <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/4-31.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/5k55c51ZGhs?start=1329" 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/jeremiah/4.htm">Lamentation for Judah</a> …30And you, O devastated one, what will you do, though you dress yourself in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, though you enlarge your eyes with paint? You adorn yourself in vain; your lovers despise you; they want to take your life. 31<a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·ma‘·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">I hear</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-ms) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">a cry</a> <a href="/hebrew/2470.htm" title="2470: kə·ḥō·w·lāh (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence to be weak, sick, afflicted; or to grieve, make sick; also to stroke, entreat.">like a woman in labor,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6869.htm" title="6869: ṣā·rāh (N-fs) -- Tightness, a female rival. Feminine of tsar; tightness; transitively, a female rival.">a cry of anguish</a> <a href="/hebrew/1069.htm" title="1069: kə·maḇ·kî·rāh (Prep-k:: V-Hifil-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to burst the womb, i.e. bear or make early fruit; also to give the birthright.">like one bearing her first child—</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">the cry</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: baṯ- (N-fsc) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">of the Daughter</a> <a href="/hebrew/6726.htm" title="6726: ṣî·yō·wn (N-proper-fs) -- A mountain in Jer., also a name for Jer. The same as tsiyuwn; Tsijon, a mountain of Jerusalem.">of Zion</a> <a href="/hebrew/3306.htm" title="3306: tiṯ·yap·pê·aḥ (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3fs) -- To breathe, puff. A primitive root; properly, to breathe hard, i.e. to sigh.">gasping for breath,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6566.htm" title="6566: tə·p̄ā·rêś (V-Piel-Imperf-3fs) -- To spread out, spread. A primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.">stretching out</a> <a href="/hebrew/3709.htm" title="3709: kap·pe·hā (N-fdc:: 3fs) -- Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan. From kaphaph; the hollow hand or palm; figuratively, power.">her hands to say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/188.htm" title="188: ’ō·w- (Interjection) -- Woe! Probably from 'avah; lamentation; also interjectionally Oh!">“Woe is me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">my soul</a> <a href="/hebrew/5888.htm" title="5888: ‘ā·yə·p̄āh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To be faint. A primitive root; to languish.">faints</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: lə·hō·rə·ḡîm (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">before the murderers!”</a> <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="/isaiah/21-3.htm">Isaiah 21:3</a> Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see. <a href="/isaiah/26-17.htm">Isaiah 26:17</a> As a woman with child about to give birth writhes and cries out in pain, so were we in Your presence, O LORD. <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="/hosea/13-13.htm">Hosea 13:13</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="/isaiah/42-14.htm">Isaiah 42:14</a> “I have kept silent from ages past; I have remained quiet and restrained. But now I will groan like a woman in labor; I will at once gasp and pant. <a href="/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1</a> How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become a widow. The princess of the provinces has become a slave. <a href="/lamentations/1-20.htm">Lamentations 1:20-22</a> See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am churning within; my heart is pounding within me, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is death. / People have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that You have caused it. May You bring the day You have announced, so that they may become like me. / Let all their wickedness come before You, and deal with them as You have dealt with me because of all my transgressions. For my groans are many, and my heart is faint. <a href="/ezekiel/30-16.htm">Ezekiel 30:16</a> I will set fire to Egypt, Pelusium will writhe in anguish, Thebes will be split open, and Memphis will face daily distress. <a href="/nahum/2-10.htm">Nahum 2:10</a> She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale! <a href="/matthew/24-8.htm">Matthew 24:8</a> All these are the beginning of birth pains. <a href="/mark/13-8.htm">Mark 13:8</a> Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. <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="/revelation/12-2.htm">Revelation 12:2</a> She was pregnant and crying out in the pain and agony of giving birth. <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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that brings forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that mourns herself, that spreads her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.I have heard.<a href="/jeremiah/6-24.htm">Jeremiah 6:24</a> We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail.<a href="/jeremiah/13-21.htm">Jeremiah 13:21</a> What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?<a href="/jeremiah/22-23.htm">Jeremiah 22:23</a> O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!the voice.<a href="/jeremiah/6-2.htm">Jeremiah 6:2,23</a> I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman… <a href="/matthew/21-5.htm">Matthew 21:5</a> Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.spreadeth.<a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a> And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.<a href="/lamentations/1-17.htm">Lamentations 1:17</a> Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.woe.<a href="/jeremiah/10-19.htm">Jeremiah 10:19</a> Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.<a href="/jeremiah/15-18.htm">Jeremiah 15:18</a> Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?<a href="/jeremiah/45-2.htm">Jeremiah 45:2</a> Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto thee, O Baruch;for my.<a href="/genesis/27-46.htm">Genesis 27:46</a> And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?<a href="/job/10-1.htm">Job 10:1</a> My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.because.<a href="/jeremiah/14-18.htm">Jeremiah 14:18</a> If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.<a href="/jeremiah/18-21.htm">Jeremiah 18:21</a> Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/4-19.htm">Anguish</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-19.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Child</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-16.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Fainteth</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-18.htm">Faints</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-3.htm">First</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-24.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-37.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-19.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-11.htm">Herself</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-24.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Murderers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-19.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-24.htm">Spreadeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-24.htm">Spreads</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-1.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-21.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-10.htm">Wearied</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm">Woe</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-6.htm">Zion</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/6-24.htm">Anguish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Child</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-16.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-2.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/psalms/61-2.htm">Fainteth</a> <a href="/job/19-27.htm">Faints</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-12.htm">First</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-1.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-24.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-7.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-24.htm">Herself</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-21.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/matthew/22-7.htm">Murderers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-9.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-8.htm">Spreadeth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-8.htm">Spreads</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-24.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-17.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">Wearied</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-4.htm">Woe</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-2.htm">Zion</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 4</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/4-1.htm">God calls Israel by his promise</a> 3. <a href="/jeremiah/4-3.htm">He exhorts Judah to repentance by fearful judgments</a> 19. <a href="/jeremiah/4-19.htm">A grievous lamentation for Judah</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/jeremiah/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For I hear a cry like a woman in labor This phrase evokes the intense pain and urgency associated with childbirth, a common biblical metaphor for distress and impending judgment (<a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Isaiah 13:8</a>, <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3</a>). It reflects the severity of the situation facing Jerusalem, as the city is about to experience the consequences of its sins. The imagery of labor suggests an inevitable outcome, emphasizing the certainty of the coming judgment.a cry of anguish like one bearing her first child The mention of a first child highlights the unfamiliarity and heightened intensity of the pain. In ancient times, the first childbirth was particularly daunting due to the unknown experience and potential complications. This underscores the unprecedented nature of the calamity that Jerusalem is about to face, as the city has not experienced such devastation before.the cry of the Daughter of Zion gasping for breath "Daughter of Zion" is a poetic term for Jerusalem, personifying the city as a vulnerable woman. The image of gasping for breath conveys desperation and helplessness, indicating the severity of the siege and the city's inability to withstand the attackers. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of Zion's suffering and eventual redemption (<a href="/lamentations/1-6.htm">Lamentations 1:6</a>, <a href="/isaiah/52-2.htm">Isaiah 52:2</a>).stretching out her hands to say The act of stretching out hands is a gesture of supplication and surrender, often seen in biblical contexts as a plea for mercy or help (<a href="/psalms/28-2.htm">Psalm 28:2</a>, <a href="/lamentations/1-17.htm">Lamentations 1:17</a>). Here, it signifies Jerusalem's desperate appeal for deliverance, acknowledging its dire situation and the need for divine intervention.“Woe is me, for my soul faints before the murderers!” The expression "Woe is me" is a lamentation, indicating deep sorrow and despair. The reference to "murderers" points to the Babylonian invaders who are about to destroy the city. This phrase captures the fear and hopelessness of the people, as they face the consequences of their rebellion against God. It also serves as a call to repentance, urging the inhabitants to turn back to God in their time of distress.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> The prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment due to their sins. 2. <a href="/topical/d/daughter_of_zion.htm">Daughter of Zion</a> A poetic term referring to the inhabitants of Jerusalem or the city itself, often used to personify the city in its relationship with God. 3. <a href="/topical/m/murderers.htm">Murderers</a> Symbolic of the invading forces or the consequences of the people's sins, leading to destruction and despair.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_judgment.htm">The Reality of Judgment</a> The imagery of a woman in labor highlights the inevitability and intensity of God's judgment. Just as labor pains are unavoidable, so is the consequence of sin. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a> The anguish of the Daughter of Zion serves as a call to repentance. Recognizing the depth of our spiritual distress should lead us to seek God's mercy and forgiveness. <a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_despair.htm">Hope Amidst Despair</a> While the passage speaks of anguish, it also implies the possibility of new beginnings, much like the birth process. God's judgment is not the end but a call to renewal and restoration. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_vigilance.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance</a> The cry of the Daughter of Zion is a reminder to remain spiritually vigilant and aware of the consequences of turning away from God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_compassionate_warning.htm">God's Compassionate Warning</a> The vivid imagery serves as a compassionate warning from God, urging His people to return to Him before it's too late.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 4</a> <a href="/q/who_or_what_is_the_daughter_of_zion.htm">Who or what is the Daughter of Zion?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_'beginning_of_sorrows'.htm">What are the Bible's "beginning of sorrows"?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_micah_4_8_align_with_zion's_fate.htm">How does Micah 4:8 align with other prophecies about Zion's future when some passages (e.g., Ezekiel 5) predict destruction rather than restoration?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_jeremiah_in_egypt_and_judah.htm">How can we reconcile Jeremiah's presence in Egypt with traditions that he remained in Judah (Jer 43:6-7)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) A woman in travail.--Literally, writhing in pain, as in <a href="/jeremiah/4-19.htm" title="My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because you have heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.">Jeremiah 4:19</a>.Bewaileth herself.--Literally, pants for breath. The prophet draws his pictures with a terrible intensity. On the one side is Zion as the harlot, in her gold and crimson and cosmetics; on the other we see the forlorn and desperate castaway, in the hour of a woman's utter helplessness, outraged and abandoned, stretching out her hands to implore mercy from the assassins who attack her, and imploring it in vain.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 31. - For I have heard a voice, etc. This explains the preceding statement, "They will seek thy life." It is this murderous plot which calls forth the "cry as of a woman in pangs." Bewaileth herself; rather, sigheth deeply. Her hands; literally, her palms. Is wearied because of murderers; rather, fainteth into the hands of (literally, is treaty unto) the murderers. <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>I hear שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי (šā·ma‘·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently a cry ק֨וֹל (qō·wl) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> A voice, sound like a woman in labor, כְּחוֹלָ֜ה (kə·ḥō·w·lāh) Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2470.htm">Strong's 2470: </a> To be weak or sick a cry of anguish צָרָה֙ (ṣā·rāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6869.htm">Strong's 6869: </a> Tightness, a female rival like one bearing her first child— כְּמַבְכִּירָ֔ה (kə·maḇ·kî·rāh) Preposition-k | Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1069.htm">Strong's 1069: </a> To bear new fruit, to constitute as first-born the cry ק֧וֹל (qō·wl) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> A voice, sound of the Daughter בַּת־ (baṯ-) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> A daughter of Zion צִיּ֛וֹן (ṣî·yō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6726.htm">Strong's 6726: </a> Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem gasping for breath, תִּתְיַפֵּ֖חַ (tiṯ·yap·pê·aḥ) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> To breathe hard, to sigh stretching out תְּפָרֵ֣שׂ (tə·p̄ā·rêś) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6566.htm">Strong's 6566: </a> To break apart, disperse her hands: כַּפֶּ֑יהָ (kap·pe·hā) Noun - fdc | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3709.htm">Strong's 3709: </a> Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan ‘Woe is me, אֽוֹי־ (’ō·w-) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_188.htm">Strong's 188: </a> Lamentation, Oh! for כִּי֩ (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction my soul נַפְשִׁ֖י (nap̄·šî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion faints עָיְפָ֥ה (‘ā·yə·p̄āh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5888.htm">Strong's 5888: </a> To languish before the murderers!’” לְהֹרְגִֽים׃ (lə·hō·rə·ḡîm) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> To smite with deadly intent <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Jeremiah 4:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Jeremiah 4:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Jeremiah 4:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Jeremiah 4:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Jeremiah 4:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Jeremiah 4:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Jeremiah 4:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Jeremiah 4:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Jeremiah 4:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Jeremiah 4:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-31.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 4:31 For I have heard a voice as (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/4-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 4:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 4:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/5-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 5:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 5:1" /></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>