The term "travails" in the Bible often refers to intense labor, suffering, or hardship, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. It is frequently used to describe the pains of childbirth, the struggles of life, and the spiritual challenges faced by believers. The concept of travail is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the human condition and the transformative power of God's intervention.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "travail" is "חֵבֶל" (chebel), which can mean labor pains or distress. One of the earliest references to travail 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 highlights the physical aspect of travail as a result of sin entering the world.

The theme of travail is also evident in the prophetic literature. Isaiah frequently uses the imagery of childbirth to describe the nation's suffering and the anticipation of deliverance. Isaiah 26:17-18 states, "As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we before You, O LORD. We were with child; we writhed in pain, but we gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation to the earth, nor have the inhabitants of the world been born." Here, travail symbolizes the unfulfilled hopes and struggles of Israel.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "ὠδίν" (odin) is often used to describe travail, particularly in the context of childbirth. The Apostle Paul employs this imagery in Romans 8:22 : "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, eagerly awaiting the redemption and renewal that will come through Christ.

Paul also uses the concept of travail to describe his own ministry efforts. In Galatians 4:19 , he writes, "My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you." Here, Paul likens his pastoral care and concern for the spiritual growth of the Galatians to the labor pains of childbirth, emphasizing the intensity and dedication required in nurturing faith.

Spiritual Significance

Travail in the Bible often carries a dual significance: it represents both the suffering inherent in the human experience and the hope of new life and transformation. The pains of childbirth, while intense and difficult, ultimately lead to the joy of new life. This metaphor is frequently used to illustrate the process of spiritual growth and the coming of God's kingdom.

In John 16:21 , Jesus uses the analogy of childbirth to comfort His disciples about the coming trials: "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 is born into the world." This passage underscores the temporary nature of suffering in light of the eternal joy and fulfillment found in Christ.

Conclusion

The concept of travail in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles and hardships faced by humanity, while also pointing to the hope and redemption offered through faith in God. Whether in the context of physical labor, spiritual growth, or the anticipation of Christ's return, travail is a testament to the transformative power of God's grace and the ultimate victory over suffering.2254a. chabal -- to bind, pledge
... him in pledge (2), labor (2), pledge (4), retain (1), take (3), take a pledge (1),
taken as pledges (1), taken pledges (1), taking a in pledge (1), travails (1 ...
/hebrew/2254a.htm - 5k

The Lord's Prayer for Unity.
... It seems as if the very climax of earnestness is reached when he travails in soul
for the saints who in after times, should be gathered to him from out of the ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the lords prayer for unity.htm

Of the Condolence and Complacency of Love in the Passion of Our ...
... and war, are almost always ragged and covered with dust; and I, ever exposed to
the griefs which by condolence I receive from the immeasurable travails of my ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v of the condolence.htm

John Chapter xvi. 16-23.
... is in travail with the longing for this fruit of all her labor, but then she shall
bring to the birth in its actual contemplation; now she travails in birth ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate ci john chapter xvi.htm

Blessed be that First Day of Thine, Lord, Wherewith this Day of ...
... to bring forth. In December, that causes the travails of the earth to cease,
in it were the travails of virginity. The early lamb ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iii blessed be that.htm

The Naturalness of Prayer
... Prayer is seen to be the opening secret of creation, its destiny, that
to which it all travails. It is the burthen of evolution. ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter ii the naturalness of.htm

Of the Method in which Our Address Should be Adapted to Different ...
... inasmuch as, although the same charity is due to all, yet the same medicine is not
to be administered to all, in like manner charity itself travails with some ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 15 of the method in.htm

The Unchangeable One
... Paul says of the creation, in one of his most glorious passages, is this"not that
it is cursed, but that it groans and travails continually in the pangs of ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxiii the unchangeable one.htm

Gospel Missions
... When Zion travails, she brings forth children; when Zion is in earnest, God is in
earnest about his work; when Zion is prayerful, God blesses her. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/gospel missions.htm

That no Man May Suddenly Come to High Devotion, nor be Wet with ...
... they have received sadness of manners, and so far as this present changeableness
suffers, have attained to stability of mind; for with great travails is some ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter ii that no man.htm

The Faithful in Baptism Males, Configured to Christ; the Saints ...
... And, therefore, the Church swells and travails in birth until Christ is formed in
us, [2726] so that each of the saints, by partaking of Christ, has been born ...
/.../chapter viii the faithful in baptism.htm

Travails (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Travails (3 Occurrences). Romans 8:22 For we know that
the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. (WEB DBY). ...
/t/travails.htm - 7k

Travailing (16 Occurrences)

/t/travailing.htm - 11k

Travel (25 Occurrences)

/t/travel.htm - 14k

Travail (54 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS RSV). Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails
in pain together until now. (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/t/travail.htm - 26k

Groans (9 Occurrences)
... And now I will send you to Egypt.' (WEY NAS). Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole
creation groans and travails in pain together until now. (WEB DBY NAS). ...
/g/groans.htm - 8k

Throng (21 Occurrences)
... country, and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, and with them the
blind and the lame, the woman with child and her who travails with child ...
/t/throng.htm - 12k

Remote (17 Occurrences)
... country, and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, and with them the
blind and the lame, the woman with child and her who travails with child ...
/r/remote.htm - 12k

Expectant (1 Occurrence)
... country, and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, and with them the
blind and the lame, the woman with child and her who travails with child ...
/e/expectant.htm - 7k

Disillusionment (1 Occurrence)
... Disillusionment (1 Occurrence). Psalms 7:14 Behold, he travails with iniquity. Yes,
he has conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. (See NIV). ...
/d/disillusionment.htm - 6k

Suffers (17 Occurrences)
... water. (WEB DBY RSV). Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans
and travails in pain together until now. (See NAS). 1 ...
/s/suffers.htm - 10k

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