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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>Isaiah 42:14 "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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/42-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/23_Isa_42_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 42:14 - A New Song of Praise" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I have kept silent from ages past; I have remained quiet and restrained. 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But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/42.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He will say, “I have long been silent; yes, I have restrained myself. But now, like a woman in labor, I will cry and groan and pant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/42.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/42.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, <i>and</i> refrained myself: <i>now</i> will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/42.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“I have held My peace a long time, I have been still and restrained Myself. <i>Now</i> I will cry like a woman in labor, I will pant and gasp at once.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I have kept silent for a long time, I have kept still and restrained Myself. <i>Now</i> like a woman in labor I will groan, I will both gasp and pant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/42.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I have kept silent for a long time, I have kept still and restrained Myself. Now like a woman in labor I will groan, I will both gasp and pant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“I have kept silent for a long time, I have kept still and restrained Myself. <i>Now</i> like a woman in labor I will groan, I will both gasp and pant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“I have kept silent for a long time; I have kept still and restrained Myself. <i>Now</i> like a woman in labor I will groan; I will both gasp and pant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“I [the LORD] have been silent for a long time, I have been still and restrained Myself. <i>Now</i> I will moan like a woman in labor, I will both gasp and pant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I have kept silent from ages past; I have been quiet and restrained myself. But now, I will groan like a woman in labor, gasping breathlessly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have kept silent from ages past; I have been quiet and restrained Myself. But now, I will groan like a woman in labor, gasping breathlessly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/42.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry out like a travailing woman; I will gasp and pant together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />For a long time, I, the LORD, have held my temper; now I will cry out and groan like a woman giving birth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/42.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry out like a travailing woman; I will gasp and pant together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I have been silent for a long time. I kept quiet and held myself back. But like a woman in childbirth I will cry out. I will gasp and pant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/42.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />God says, "For a long time I kept silent; I did not answer my people. But now the time to act has come; I cry out like a woman in labor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/42.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"I have certainly stayed silent for a long time; I've kept still and held myself back. Now, like a woman giving birth, I'll cry out. All of a sudden I'll gasp and pant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/42.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"I have been inactive for a long time; I kept quiet and held back. Like a woman in labor I groan; I pant and gasp. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I have long time held my peace; I have been still, and restrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/42.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I have kept silent from of old, "" I keep silent, I refrain Myself, "" I cry out as a travailing woman, "" I desolate and swallow up together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I have kept silent from of old, I keep silent, I refrain myself, As a travailing woman I cry out, I desolate and swallow up together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I was silent of old; I will be still, I will restrain myself: as she bringing forth I will cry out; I will lay waste and snuff up together.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I have always held my peace, I have I kept silence, I have been patient, I will speak now as a woman in labour: I will destroy, and swallow up at once. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I have always been quiet; I have been silent; I have been patient. I will speak like a woman giving birth. I will destroy and consume, all at once.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/42.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For a long time I have kept silent, I have said nothing, holding myself back; Now I cry out like a woman in labor, gasping and panting. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I have for a long time held my peace; I have kept silent, I have been patient like a woman in travail; I have remained speechless and completely confounded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I have been silent from eternity. I shall be silent. I endured as a woman in labor. I shall be speechless and I shall in shock as one<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I have long time held My peace, I have been still, and refrained Myself; Now will I cry like a travailing woman, Gasping and panting at once.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I have been silent: shall I also always be silent and forbear: I have endured like a travailing <i>woman</i>: I will <i>now</i> amaze and wither at once.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/42-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=9229" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/42.htm">A New Song of Praise</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies: <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2814.htm" title="2814: he·ḥĕ·šê·ṯî (V-Hifil-Perf-1cs) -- To be silent, inactive, or still. A primitive root; to hush or keep quiet.">“I have kept silent</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: mê·‘ō·w·lām (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">from ages past;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2790.htm" title="2790: ’a·ḥă·rîš (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cs) -- To cut in, engrave, plow, devise.">I have remained quiet</a> <a href="/hebrew/662.htm" title="662: ’eṯ·’ap·pāq (V-Hitpael-Imperf-1cs) -- To hold, be strong. A primitive root; to contain, i.e. Abstain.">and restrained.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6463.htm" title="6463: ’ep̄·‘eh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To groan. A primitive root; to scream.">But now I will groan</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: kay·yō·w·lê·ḏāh (Prep-k, Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">like a woman in labor;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3162.htm" title="3162: yā·ḥaḏ (Adv) -- Unitedness. From yachad; properly, a unit, i.e. unitedly.">I will at once</a> <a href="/hebrew/5395.htm" title="5395: ’eš·šōm (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To pant. A primitive root; properly, to blow away, i.e. Destroy.">gasp</a> <a href="/hebrew/7602.htm" title="7602: wə·’eš·’ap̄ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover; by implication, to be angry; also to hasten.">and pant.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation. I will turn the rivers into dry land and drain the marshes.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-4.htm">Isaiah 31:4</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-15.htm">Isaiah 63:15</a></span><br />Look down from heaven and see, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where are Your zeal and might? Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-12.htm">Isaiah 64:12</a></span><br />After all this, O LORD, will You restrain Yourself? Will You keep silent and afflict us beyond measure?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-30.htm">Jeremiah 25:30</a></span><br />So you are to prophesy all these words against them and say to them: ‘The LORD will roar from on high; He will raise His voice from His holy habitation. He will roar loudly over His pasture; like those who tread the grapes, He will call out with a shout against all the inhabitants of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-20.htm">Jeremiah 31:20</a></span><br />Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/11-8.htm">Hosea 11:8-9</a></span><br />How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred! / I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man—the Holy One among you—and I will not come in wrath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/3-16.htm">Joel 3:16</a></span><br />The LORD will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/1-2.htm">Amos 1:2</a></span><br />He said: “The LORD roars from Zion and raises His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the summit of Carmel withers.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/3-8.htm">Zephaniah 3:8</a></span><br />Therefore wait for Me,” declares the LORD, “until the day I rise to testify. For My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them My indignation—all My burning anger. For all the earth will be consumed by the fire of My jealousy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/14-3.htm">Zechariah 14:3</a></span><br />Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/50-3.htm">Psalm 50:3</a></span><br />Our God approaches and will not be silent! Consuming fire precedes Him, and a tempest rages around Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-65.htm">Psalm 78:65</a></span><br />Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty warrior overcome by wine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-1.htm">Psalm 83:1</a></span><br />A song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, be not silent; be not speechless; be not still, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-3.htm">Habakkuk 2:3</a></span><br />For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Romans 8:22</a></span><br />We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I have long time held my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.</p><p class="hdg">long time</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/32-18.htm">Job 32:18,20</a></b></br> For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-2.htm">Psalm 50:2</a></b></br> Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/83-1.htm">Psalm 83:1,2</a></b></br> A Song <i>or</i> Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God… </p><p class="hdg">devour.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/41-16.htm">Blow</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-5.htm">Breathing</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-13.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-10.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-26.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-12.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/job/13-19.htm">Gasp</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-7.htm">Groan</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-2.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">Held</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-22.htm">Holden</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-6.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-8.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-31.htm">Once</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-13.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/psalms/119-131.htm">Pant</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-5.htm">Panting</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-8.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-20.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-8.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/psalms/119-101.htm">Refrained</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-6.htm">Restrained</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-1.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-14.htm">Sounds</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-14.htm">Swallow</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-26.htm">Time</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-25.htm">Together</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-18.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-3.htm">Travaileth</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Travailing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/57-13.htm">Blow</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-24.htm">Breathing</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-14.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-19.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-15.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-8.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-6.htm">Gasp</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-23.htm">Groan</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-4.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Held</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Holden</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-2.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-14.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-8.htm">Once</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-2.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-6.htm">Pant</a> <a href="/psalms/38-10.htm">Panting</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-19.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-13.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-15.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-10.htm">Refrained</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-15.htm">Restrained</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-5.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-13.htm">Sounds</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Swallow</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-23.htm">Time</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-5.htm">Together</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-10.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-24.htm">Travaileth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-24.htm">Travailing</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 42</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">The office of Christ, graced with meekness and constancy.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-5.htm">God's promise unto him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-10.htm">An exhortation to praise God for his Gospel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-13.htm">God will manifest himself, and check idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">He reproves the people of incredulity.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/isaiah/42.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/42.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I have kept silent from ages past;</b><br>This phrase indicates a period of divine patience and restraint. Historically, God often allowed nations to follow their own paths, giving them time to repent. This silence can be seen in the intertestamental period, where prophetic voices were rare. Theologically, it reflects God's long-suffering nature, as seen in <a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a>, where God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish.<p><b>I have remained quiet and restrained.</b><br>God's restraint suggests His control over judgment and mercy. In the context of Israel, God often withheld immediate judgment to allow for repentance. This restraint is evident in the history of Israel's repeated cycles of sin and redemption. It also points to God's sovereignty, as He chooses the timing and manner of His interventions.<p><b>But now I will groan like a woman in labor;</b><br>The imagery of a woman in labor signifies an intense, unavoidable, and transformative event. This metaphor is used elsewhere in scripture, such as in <a href="/jeremiah/30-6.htm">Jeremiah 30:6-7</a>, to describe the coming of God's judgment and the birth of a new era. It suggests that God's intervention will be both painful and productive, leading to a new creation or order.<p><b>I will at once gasp and pant.</b><br>This phrase conveys urgency and intensity. It indicates that God's action will be swift and powerful, leaving no room for delay. The imagery of gasping and panting suggests a release of pent-up energy, similar to the suddenness of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt. It also foreshadows the coming of Christ, who fulfills God's promises with decisive action, as seen in the New Testament.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The speaker in this verse, expressing His long-held silence and the impending action He is about to take.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet through whom God delivers this message, addressing the people of Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The primary audience of Isaiah's prophecy, often in need of correction and encouragement.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/woman_in_labor.htm">Woman in Labor</a></b><br>A metaphor used to describe the intensity and inevitability of God's forthcoming actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_timing.htm">God's Patience and Timing</a></b><br>God's silence is not indicative of inaction or indifference. His timing is perfect, and His plans unfold according to His divine wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_intensity_of_god's_actions.htm">The Intensity of God's Actions</a></b><br>The metaphor of a woman in labor highlights the intensity and inevitability of God's intervention. When God decides to act, it is both powerful and transformative.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_god's_promises.htm">The Certainty of God's Promises</a></b><br>Just as labor leads to birth, God's promises lead to fulfillment. Believers can trust that what God has spoken will come to pass.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_god's_movement.htm">Preparation for God's Movement</a></b><br>Just as labor requires preparation, believers should be spiritually prepared for God's movements in their lives, staying vigilant and faithful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_compassionate_nature.htm">God's Compassionate Nature</a></b><br>The imagery of labor also suggests compassion and care, as God is deeply involved in the process of bringing about His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_42.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 42</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_money_the_solution_to_everything.htm">What is the purpose of prayer?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_a_heavenly_mother_biblical.htm">Is the concept of a heavenly mother biblical?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_isaiah_64_12_contradict_miracles.htm">If Isaiah 64:12 questions why God remains silent amidst destruction, why does this seem to contradict other passages where God intervenes miraculously?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_14_14_doubt_resurrection.htm">Does Job 14:14's question 'If someone dies, will they live again?' indicate uncertainty about resurrection, challenging other parts of the Bible that teach it?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/42.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">I have long time holden my peace . . .</span>--The change of person indicates that Jehovah is the speaker. "Long time," literally, <span class= "ital">for an age, </span>or <span class= "ital">an eternity. </span>What is actually meant is the period of the exile, during which, till the advent of the deliverer, there had been no interposition on behalf of Israel. To the exiles this had seemed endless in its weariness. Now there were the travail-pangs of a new birth for the nation. (Comp. <a href="/matthew/24-8.htm" title="All these are the beginning of sorrows.">Matthew 24:8</a>.) Was it strange that there should be the convulsions and catastrophes which are as the thunder-roaring of the voice of Jehovah?<p><span class= "bld">I will destroy and devour.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">I pant and gasp. </span>The verbs express strong emotion, the cries of the travailing woman rather than destructive acts.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I have long time holden my peace</span>; literally, <span class="accented">for an eternity.</span> God's love for his people is forcibly expressed by his saying that he has felt it "an eternity" - though it was but some five or six decades - while he was waiting for his chastisement to have such due effect as would allow of his bringing it to an end, and showing them mercy. He has chafed, as it were, under the necessity of inaction, and has with difficulty refrained himself. Now he will refrain no longer. <span class="cmt_word">A travailing woman</span>. A woman in her travail, after long endurance, at last gives free vent to her natural feelings, and utters loud cries (compare the preceding verse). I will destroy and devour at once (so Gesenius, Kay, and the ancient versions). But the bulk of modern commentators render, "I will pant and gasp," as does a travailing woman. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/42-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I have kept silent</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶחֱשֵׁ֙יתִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḥĕ·šê·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2814.htm">Strong's 2814: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be silent, inactive, or still</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from ages past;</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵֽעוֹלָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘ō·w·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> </span><span class="str2">Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have kept quiet</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרִ֖ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·rîš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2790.htm">Strong's 2790: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut in, engrave, plow, devise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and restrained.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶתְאַפָּ֑ק</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ·’ap·pāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_662.htm">Strong's 662: </a> </span><span class="str2">To contain, abstain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But now I will groan</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶפְעֶ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ep̄·‘eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6463.htm">Strong's 6463: </a> </span><span class="str2">To scream</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a woman in labor;</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּיּוֹלֵדָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(kay·yō·w·lê·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will at once</span><br /><span class="heb">יָֽחַד׃</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḥaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3162.htm">Strong's 3162: </a> </span><span class="str2">A unit, unitedly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gasp</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶשֹּׁ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(’eš·šōm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5395.htm">Strong's 5395: </a> </span><span class="str2">To blow away, destroy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and pant.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶשְׁאַ֖ף</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eš·’ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7602.htm">Strong's 7602: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inhale eagerly, to cover, to be angry, to hasten</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/42-14.htm">Isaiah 42:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/42-14.htm">Isaiah 42:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/42-14.htm">Isaiah 42:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/42-14.htm">Isaiah 42:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/42-14.htm">Isaiah 42:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/42-14.htm">Isaiah 42:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/42-14.htm">Isaiah 42:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/42-14.htm">Isaiah 42:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/42-14.htm">Isaiah 42:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/42-14.htm">Isaiah 42:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/42-14.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 42:14 I have been silent a long time (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/42-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 42:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 42:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/42-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 42:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 42:15" /></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>