Topical Encyclopedia
The term "travailed" in the Bible often refers to the intense labor and pain associated with childbirth, but it is also used metaphorically to describe deep suffering, struggle, or effort in various contexts. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both physical and spiritual dimensions of human experience.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "travailed" is "חָבַל" (chaval), which conveys the idea of writhing in pain or undergoing severe labor. One of the earliest instances is found in
Genesis 3:16, where God pronounces the consequences of the Fall upon Eve: "To the woman He said, 'I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children.'" This passage sets the stage for understanding travail as a consequence of sin, yet also as a part of the divine plan for human life and continuity.
The imagery of travail is also used to describe the anguish of nations and individuals under judgment or distress. In
Isaiah 26:17, the prophet writes, "As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we before You, O LORD." Here, the travail of childbirth becomes a metaphor for the suffering and anticipation of deliverance.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the Greek word "ὠδίνω" (odinō) is used to describe the pains of childbirth and is often applied metaphorically to spiritual and eschatological contexts. In
Romans 8:22, the Apostle Paul writes, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time." This passage reflects the idea that all of creation is in a state of travail, awaiting the redemption and renewal that will come through Christ.
Paul also uses the metaphor of travail to describe his own ministry efforts. In
Galatians 4:19, he expresses his deep concern for the spiritual formation of the Galatian believers: "My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you." Here, travail signifies the apostolic labor and emotional investment in nurturing the faith of others.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of travail in the Bible underscores the reality of suffering and struggle in the human experience, yet it also points to the hope of new life and transformation. Travail is not merely an end in itself but a process that leads to birth, growth, and fulfillment of God's purposes. This dual aspect of pain and promise is central to the Christian understanding of suffering and redemption.
In prophetic literature, travail often signals the coming of God's kingdom and the birth of a new era. Jesus Himself alludes to this in
Matthew 24:8, where He describes the signs of the end times as "the beginning of birth pains." This suggests that the trials and tribulations of the present age are leading to the ultimate realization of God's redemptive plan.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the concept of travail can be a source of encouragement and perseverance. It reminds Christians that their struggles are not in vain but are part of a larger divine narrative. Just as a woman endures labor for the joy of bringing forth new life, so too are Christians called to endure hardships with the hope of eternal glory. As Paul writes in
Romans 8:18, "I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us."
In summary, the biblical theme of travail encompasses both the physical and spiritual dimensions of labor and suffering, pointing ultimately to the hope and joy of new creation in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Travail.
Strong's Hebrew
2342a. chul -- to whirl, dance, writhe... 1), fall (1), gave you birth (1), gave birth (2), giving birth (1), labor (1), quaked
(1), shakes (2), swirl down (1), take part (1),
travailed (4), tremble (5
...Library
"He Said Not: Thou Shalt not be Tempested, Thou Shalt not be...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXVIII "He said not: Thou shalt not be tempested,
thou shalt not betravailed, thou shalt not be afflicted". "He said not:...
Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... David said:"Thou, Lord, hast been a dwelling-place unto us for generations; before
the mountains were conceived and before the earthtravailed, and before...
The Child of the Woman in the Apocalypse not Christ, but the...
... As the spirit says somewhere in Isaiah: [2723] "Before shetravailed, she brought
forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child....
He Proves that Christ is the Lord of Hosts from Ps. xxiv. , and...
... Before she thattravailed brought forth, and before the pains of labour came, she
brought forth a male child.... for Zion hastravailed and borne her children....
Oration on the Holy Lights.
... Nor is our commemoration one of Dionysus, and the thigh thattravailed with an
incomplete birth, as before a head hadtravailed with another; [3921] nor of the...
Travailing for Souls
... CH SPURGEON,. At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "As soon as Zion
travailed, she brought forth her children.""Isaiah 66:8....
Psalm VII.
... avenging. "Behold," he says, "he hathtravailed with injustice." Now what
had he conceived, that he should travail with injustice?...
Daniel: a Pattern for Pleaders
... got to agonizing. As soon as Ziontravailed"you know that word"as soon
as shetravailed she brought forth children. Not till...
The City of Gold
... For I cannot express her tender love towards me, or with how far greater anguish
shetravailed of me now in the spirit, than when she bore me in the flesh...
Declension from First Love
... labour. There were many preachers in Whitfield's day that had works, but
Whitfield had labour. He toiled andtravailed for souls. He...
Thesaurus
Travailed (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Travailed (7 Occurrences).
... There was still some distance
to come to Ephrath, and Rachel
travailed. She had hard labor.
...Travail (54 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 23:4 Be ashamed, Sidon; for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea,
saying, "I have nottravailed, nor brought forth, neither have I nourished...
Labor (181 Occurrences)
... Genesis 35:16 They traveled from Bethel. There was still some distance to come to
Ephrath, and Racheltravailed. She had hard labor. (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)....
Nourish (16 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 23:4 Be ashamed, Sidon; for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea,
saying, "I have nottravailed, nor brought forth, neither have I nourished...
Journeyed (111 Occurrences)
... Genesis 35:16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to
come to Ephrath: and Racheltravailed, and she had hard labor....
Wrist (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:28 When shetravailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied
a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This came out first." (See NIV)....
Ichabod (2 Occurrences)
... And when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her
father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself andtravailed" (1 Samuel...
Tied (33 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:28 When shetravailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied
a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This came out first." (WEB NAS NIV)....
Travailest (2 Occurrences)
Thread (32 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:28 When shetravailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied
a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This came out first." (WEB KJV JPS...
Resources
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