Micah 4:10
New International Version
Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.

New Living Translation
Writhe and groan like a woman in labor, you people of Jerusalem, for now you must leave this city to live in the open country. You will soon be sent in exile to distant Babylon. But the LORD will rescue you there; he will redeem you from the grip of your enemies.

English Standard Version
Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you shall go out from the city and dwell in the open country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued; there the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.

Berean Standard Bible
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!

King James Bible
Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

New King James Version
Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, Like a woman in birth pangs. For now you shall go forth from the city, You shall dwell in the field, And to Babylon you shall go. There you shall be delivered; There the LORD will redeem you From the hand of your enemies.

New American Standard Bible
“Writhe and scream, Daughter of Zion, Like a woman in childbirth; For now you will go out of the city, Live in the field, And go to Babylon. There you will be rescued, There the LORD will redeem you From the hand of your enemies.

NASB 1995
“Writhe and labor to give birth, Daughter of Zion, Like a woman in childbirth; For now you will go out of the city, Dwell in the field, And go to Babylon. There you will be rescued; There the LORD will redeem you From the hand of your enemies.

NASB 1977
“Writhe and labor to give birth, Daughter of Zion, Like a woman in childbirth, For now you will go out of the city, Dwell in the field, And go to Babylon. There you will be rescued; There the LORD will redeem you From the hand of your enemies.

Legacy Standard Bible
Writhe and labor to give birth, Daughter of Zion, Like a woman in childbirth; For now you will go out of the city, Dwell in the field, And go to Babylon. There you will be delivered; There Yahweh will redeem you From the hand of your enemies.

Amplified Bible
“Writhe in pain and labor to give birth, O Daughter of Zion, Like a woman in childbirth; For now you shall go out of the city, Live in the field, And go to Babylon. There you will be rescued; There the LORD shall redeem you From the hand of your enemies.

Christian Standard Bible
Writhe and cry out, Daughter 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 grasp of your enemies!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Writhe and cry out, Daughter 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 power of your enemies!

American Standard Version
Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and shalt dwell in the field, and shalt come even unto Babylon: there shalt thou be rescued; there will Jehovah redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

Contemporary English Version
Keep on groaning with pain, you people of Jerusalem! If you escape from your city to the countryside, you will still be taken as prisoners to Babylonia. But later I will rescue you from your enemies.

English Revised Version
Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and shalt dwell in the field, and shalt come even unto Babylon; there shalt thou be rescued; there shall the LORD redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Daughter of Zion, writhe in pain and groan like a woman in labor. Now you will leave the city, live in the open fields, and go to Babylon. There you will be rescued. There the LORD will reclaim you from your enemies.

Good News Translation
Twist and groan, people of Jerusalem, like a woman giving birth, for now you will have to leave the city and live in the open country. You will have to go to Babylon, but there the LORD will save you from your enemies.

International Standard Version
Be in pain! Be in labor, you daughter of Zion, like a woman about to give birth, because now you will depart from the city, living in the open fields. To Babylon you will go. There you will be delivered, there the LORD will rescue you from the power of your enemies."

Majority Standard Bible
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!

NET Bible
Twist and strain, Daughter Zion, as if you were in labor! For you will leave the city and live in the open field. You will go to Babylon, but there you will be rescued. There the LORD will deliver you from the power of your enemies.

New Heart English Bible
Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now you will go forth out of the city, and will dwell in the field, and will come even to Babylon. There you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.

Webster's Bible Translation
Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth from the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thy enemies.

World English Bible
Be in pain, and labor to give birth, daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now you will go out of the city, and will dwell in the field, and will come even to Babylon. There you will be rescued. There Yahweh will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Be pained, and bring forth, O daughter of Zion, "" As a travailing woman, "" For now you go forth from the city, "" And you have dwelt in the field, "" And you have gone to Babylon, "" There you are delivered, "" There YHWH redeems you from the hand of your enemies.

Young's Literal Translation
Be pained, and bring forth, O daughter of Zion, As a travailing woman, For now, thou goest forth from the city, And thou hast dwelt in the field, And thou hast gone unto Babylon, There thou art delivered, There redeem thee doth Jehovah from the hand of thine enemies.

Smith's Literal Translation
Be in pain and bring forth, O daughter of Zion, as she bringing forth: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and dwell in the field, and going even to Babel; there shalt thou be delivered; there Jehovah will redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Be in pain and labour, O daughter of Sion, as a woman that bringeth forth: for now shalt thou go out of the city, and shalt dwell in the country, and shalt come even to Babylon, there thou shalt be delivered: there the Lord will redeem thee out of the hand of thy enemies.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Be grieved and overwhelmed, daughter of Zion, like a woman giving birth. For now you must depart from the city and dwell in the countryside, and you will approach even to Babylon. There you will be delivered. There the Lord will redeem you from the hand of your adversaries.

New American Bible
Writhe, go into labor, O daughter Zion, like a woman giving birth; For now you shall leave the city and camp in the fields; To Babylon you shall go, there you shall be rescued. There the LORD shall redeem you from the hand of your enemies.

New Revised Standard Version
Writhe and groan, O daughter Zion, like a woman in labor; for now you shall go forth from the city and camp in the open country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued, there the LORD will redeem you from the hands of your enemies.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now you shall go forth out of the city, and you shall dwell in the desert, and you shall go even to Babylon; there you shall be delivered; there the LORD shall save you from the hand of your enemies.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Be in pain and be in hard labor, daughter of Zion, as a woman in labor, because from now you shall go out from the city and you shall camp in the wilderness and you shall go unto Babel and there you shall be saved, and there LORD JEHOVAH shall redeem you from the hand of your enemies
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, Like a woman in travail; For now shalt thou go forth out of the city, And shalt dwell in the field, And shalt come even unto Babylon; There shalt thou be rescued; There shall the LORD redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Be in pain, and strengthen thyself, and draw near, O daughter of Sion, as a woman in travail: for now thou shalt go forth out of the city, and shalt lodge in the plain, and shalt reach even to Babylon: thence shall the Lord thy God deliver thee, and thence shall he redeem thee out of the hand of thine enemies.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Restoration of Zion
9Why 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? 10Writhe 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! 11But now many nations have assembled against you, saying, “Let her be defiled, and let us feast our eyes on Zion.”…

Cross References
Isaiah 39:6-7
The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. / And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

Jeremiah 29:10
For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.

2 Kings 20:17-18
The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. / And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

Isaiah 13:1-22
This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received: / Raise a banner on a barren hilltop; call aloud to them. Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles. / I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have even summoned My warriors to execute My wrath and exult in My triumph. ...

Jeremiah 50:17
Israel is a scattered flock, chased away by lions. The first to devour him was the king of Assyria; the last to crush his bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.”

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.

Isaiah 26:17-18
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.

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!”

Isaiah 66:7-9
“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.

Jeremiah 50:33-34
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “The sons of Israel are oppressed, and the sons of Judah as well. All their captors hold them fast, refusing to release them. / Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of Hosts is His name. He will fervently plead their case so that He may bring rest to the earth, but turmoil to those who live in Babylon.

Isaiah 47:1-15
“Go down and sit in the dust, O Virgin Daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O Daughter of the Chaldeans! For you will no longer be called tender or delicate. / Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil; strip off your skirt, bare your thigh, and wade through the streams. / Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.” ...

Revelation 18:2
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.

Matthew 24:8
All these are the beginning of birth pains.

John 16:21
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.

Revelation 12:2
She was pregnant and crying out in the pain and agony of giving birth.


Treasury of Scripture

Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shall you go forth out of the city, and you shall dwell in the field, and you shall go even to Babylon; there shall you be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem you from the hand of your enemies.

and labour.

Isaiah 66:7-9
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child…

Hosea 13:13
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.

John 16:20-22
Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy…

shalt thou.

2 Kings 20:18
And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

2 Kings 25:4
And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain.

2 Chronicles 33:11
Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

there shalt.

Micah 7:8-13
Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me…

Ezra 1:1,2
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, …

Isaiah 45:13
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.

redeem.

Psalm 106:10
And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

Jeremiah 15:21
And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.

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Micah 4
1. The glory,
5. and the peace of Christ's kingdom.
6. The restoration,
11. and victory of the church.














Writhe in agony
The Hebrew word used here is "חִילִי" (chili), which conveys a sense of intense pain and struggle, akin to the labor pains of childbirth. This imagery is powerful, evoking both the physical and emotional turmoil that the people of Zion are experiencing. In a broader biblical context, labor pains often symbolize the birth of something new, suggesting that through this suffering, a new chapter or deliverance is on the horizon.

O Daughter of Zion
This phrase is a poetic personification of Jerusalem and its inhabitants. "Daughter" implies a sense of endearment and familial connection, indicating God's deep love and concern for His people. Zion, a term often used to refer to Jerusalem, holds significant theological weight as the spiritual center of Israel and the dwelling place of God. The use of "Daughter of Zion" underscores the intimate relationship between God and His chosen people.

like a woman in labor
The comparison to a woman in labor is a vivid metaphor for the intense suffering and anticipation of deliverance. Labor is a process that, while painful, ultimately leads to the joy of new life. This metaphor suggests that the current suffering of the people is not without purpose; it is a necessary precursor to the redemption and restoration that God has promised.

For now you will leave the city
This phrase indicates an imminent exile, a departure from the safety and familiarity of Jerusalem. Historically, this refers to the Babylonian exile, a period of great trial for the Israelites. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, yet it also sets the stage for eventual redemption.

and camp in the open field
The imagery of camping in the open field suggests vulnerability and exposure, a stark contrast to the fortified city of Jerusalem. This reflects the Israelites' impending displacement and the hardships they will face. However, it also implies a temporary state, hinting at the transient nature of their suffering.

You will go to Babylon
Babylon, in this context, represents both a literal place of exile and a symbol of worldly power and oppression. The Israelites' journey to Babylon is a fulfillment of prophetic warnings due to their disobedience. Yet, it is also a part of God's sovereign plan, as Babylon becomes the backdrop for their eventual deliverance.

There you will be rescued
Despite the dire circumstances, this phrase offers a glimmer of hope. The promise of rescue signifies God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It reassures the Israelites that their exile is not the end of their story; God has a plan for their salvation.

there the LORD will redeem you
Redemption is a central theme in the Bible, and here it underscores God's power and willingness to restore His people. The Hebrew word for redeem, "גָּאַל" (ga'al), implies a kinsman-redeemer, someone who rescues and restores. This points to God's role as the ultimate Redeemer, foreshadowing the redemptive work of Christ.

from the hand of your enemies
This phrase highlights the deliverance from oppression and captivity. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to save His people from any adversary. Historically, it points to the eventual fall of Babylon and the return of the Israelites to their homeland, a testament to God's faithfulness and power.

(10) Thou shalt go even to Babylon.--This prediction has naturally caused difficulty to those who doubt the power of prophets to prophesy: for Babylon was not at all considered in the days of Micah, when Assyria was in the ascendant. It was a century after Micah's time before Babylon recovered its ancient dignity. The fact, however, remains that Micah wrote, "Thou shalt go to Babel;" and there is the other fact, that the people of Judah (not Israel) did go. Micah also declared, "THERE shalt thou be delivered:" and in the time of Cyrus the Jews were delivered there. The repetition, "There . . . there," is emphatic.

Verse 10. - Be in pain. The anguish is not to be resisted, but shall end, like birth pains, in deliverance. Septuagint, Ωδινε καὶ ἀνδρίζου καὶ ἔγγιζε, "Be in pain, and do bravely, and draw near," which is like Aeneas's encouragement to his friends (Virgil, 'AEneid,' 1:207) -

"Durate, et vosmet rebus servate secundis." For now shalt thou go forth. The prophet leaves his metaphor, and announces that the people shall "go forth" into captivity. He says "now,"as having the scene before his eyes. They must leave their city, live shelterless in the open country, be carried to a distant land, even to Babylon. Shall dwell in the field; i.e. while they are making their way to the place of their captivity. Thou shall go even to Babylon. This is simple prophecy, and could have been known to Micah only by inspiration. In his day Assyria was the enemy whom Israel had to dread (as Micah 5:5, 6), Babylon being at this time in the position of a conquered country, and not becoming again powerful and independent for another century, So Isaiah prophesied of the captivity to Babylon (Isaiah 39:3-8), if modern critics have not shaken our faith in the genuineness of that chapter. Micah does not define the time of the Captivity, or the agents; he notes merely the place whither the Jews were at last to be deported. Even in this case "Babylon" may have its typical import, and be taken to represent the great world power arrayed against the chosen race; and the prophecy may look forward to other fulfilments in succeeding ages. Some commentators think that Babylon is here mentioned as the most distant country known, or as a portion of the Assyrian empire. Others suppose that Sargon transported some Israelitish captives to Babylon to replace the rebellious Babylonians whom he exiled to Palestine ('Records of the Past,' 7:29; 2 Kings 17:24; comp. 2 Chronicles 33:11), and that thus Micah was naturally led to represent the Judaeans as following their brethren. Whichever explanation we take, there is no reason to consider that the reference to Babylon is the interpolation of a late editor of the prophetic writings. There shall thou be delivered. In Babylon deliverance shall arise. This prophecy was first literally fulfilled in the return from captivity under Cyrus; it is further fulfilled, under Christ, in the rescue of the true Israelites from the bondage of sin and the world.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Writhe
ח֧וּלִי (ḥū·lî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 2342: To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert

in agony,
וָגֹ֛חִי (wā·ḡō·ḥî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 1518: To gush forth, to issue

O Daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Zion,
צִיּ֖וֹן (ṣî·yō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6726: Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem

like a woman in labor.
כַּיּֽוֹלֵדָ֑ה (kay·yō·w·lê·ḏāh)
Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

now
עַתָּה֩ (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

you will leave
תֵצְאִ֨י (ṯê·ṣə·’î)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

the city
מִקִּרְיָ֜ה (miq·qir·yāh)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7151: A town, city

and camp
וְשָׁכַ֣נְתְּ (wə·šā·ḵant)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

in the open fields.
בַּשָּׂדֶ֗ה (baś·śā·ḏeh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

You will go
וּבָ֤את (ū·ḇāṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

Babylon;
בָּבֶל֙ (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

there
שָׁ֣ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

you will be rescued;
תִּנָּצֵ֔לִי (tin·nā·ṣê·lî)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

there
שָׁ֚ם (m)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will redeem you
יִגְאָלֵ֣ךְ (yiḡ·’ā·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

from the hand
מִכַּ֖ף (mik·kap̄)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

of your enemies!
אֹיְבָֽיִךְ׃ (’ō·yə·ḇā·yiḵ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary


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OT Prophets: Micah 4:10 Be in pain and labor to bring (Mc Mic. Mi)
Micah 4:9
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