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Jeremiah 4:31

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— 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.”
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— 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.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— 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.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— 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.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— 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.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— For I hear a voice, as of a woman in travail, anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion: she moaneth, she spreadeth forth her hands, [saying], Woe unto me! for my soul faileth because of murderers.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— For, a voice as of a woman in pangs, have I heard, Anguish as of her that is bearing her firstborn. The voice of the daughter of Zion! She gaspeth for breath, She spreadeth forth her palms,—Surely woe to me! For my soul fainteth before murderers.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— 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!'
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— For I have heard the voice as of a woman in travail, anguishes as of a woman in labour 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.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— For I haue heard a noyse as of a woman trauailing, or as one labouring of her first child, euen the voyce of the daughter Zion that sigheth and stretcheth out her handes: woe is me nowe: for my soule fainteth because of the murtherers.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— For I haue heard a voice as of a woman in trauel, [and] the anguish as of her that bringeth foorth her first childe, the voice of the daughter of Zion, [that] bewaileth her selfe, [that] spreadeth her hands, [saying]; Woe [is] me now, for my soule is wearied because of murderers.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— 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.
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— 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.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— 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 Tziyyon, [that] bewaileth herself, [that] spreadeth her hands, [saying], Woe [is] me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.

Strong's Numbers & Hebrew NamesHebrew Old TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
For x3588
(3588) Complement
כִּי
kiy
{kee}
A primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjugation or adverb; often largely modified by other particles annexed.
I have heard 8085
{8085} Prime
שָׁמַע
shama`
{shaw-mah'}
A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively to tell, etc.).
z8804
<8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 12562
a voice 6963
{6963} Prime
קוֹל
qowl
{kole}
From an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.
as of a woman in travail, 2470
{2470} Prime
חָלָה
chalah
{khaw-law'}
A primitive root (compare H2342, H2490); properly to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat.
z8802
<8802> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Participle Active (See H8814)
Count - 5386
[and] the anguish 6869
{6869} Prime
צָרָה
tsarah
{tsaw-raw'}
Feminine of H6862; tightness (that is, figuratively trouble); transitively a female rival.
as of her that bringeth forth her first child, 1069
{1069} Prime
בָּכַר
bakar
{baw-kar'}
A primitive root; properly to burst the womb, that is, (causatively) bear or make early fruit (of woman or tree); also (as denominatively from H1061) to give the birthright.
z8688
<8688> Grammar
Stem - Hiphil (See H8818)
Mood - Participle (See H8813)
Count - 857
the voice 6963
{6963} Prime
קוֹל
qowl
{kole}
From an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.
of the daughter 1323
{1323} Prime
בַּת
bath
{bath}
From H1129 (as feminine of H1121); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively).
of Xiyyôn צִיּוֹן, 6726
{6726} Prime
צִיּוֹן
Tsiyown
{tsee-yone'}
The same (regular) as H6725; Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem.
[that] bewaileth y3306
[3306] Standard
יפח
yaphach
{yaw-fakh'}
A primitive root; properly to breathe hard, that is, (by implication) to sigh.
z8691
<8691> Grammar
Stem - Hithpael (See H8819)
Mood - Imperfect (See H8811)
Count - 533
herself, x3306
(3306) Complement
יפח
yaphach
{yaw-fakh'}
A primitive root; properly to breathe hard, that is, (by implication) to sigh.
[that] spreadeth 6566
{6566} Prime
פָּרַשׂ
paras
{paw-ras'}
A primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.
z8762
<8762> Grammar
Stem - Piel (See H8840)
Mood - Imperfect (See H8811)
Count - 2447
her hands, 3709
{3709} Prime
כַּף
kaph
{kaf}
From H3721; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm tree); figuratively power.
[saying], Woe 188
{0188} Prime
אוֹי
'owy
{o'-ee}
Probably from H0183 (in the sense of crying out after); lamentation; also interjectionally, Oh!.
[is] me now! x4994
(4994) Complement
נָא
na'
{naw}
A primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may usually be rendered I pray, now or then; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjugation.
for x3588
(3588) Complement
כִּי
kiy
{kee}
A primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjugation or adverb; often largely modified by other particles annexed.
my soul 5315
{5315} Prime
נֶפֶשׁ
nephesh
{neh'-fesh}
From H5314; properly a breathing creature, that is, animal or (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental).
is wearied 5888
{5888} Prime
עָיֵף
`ayeph
{aw-yafe'}
A primitive root; to languish.
z8804
<8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 12562
because of murderers. 2026
{2026} Prime
הָרַג
harag
{haw-rag'}
A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.
z8802
<8802> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Participle Active (See H8814)
Count - 5386
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Jeremiah 4:31

_ _ anguish — namely, occasioned by the attack of the enemy.

_ _ daughter of Zion — There is peculiar beauty in suppressing the name of the person in trouble, until that trouble had been fully described [Henderson].

_ _ bewaileth herself — rather, “draweth her breath short” [Horsley]; “panteth.”

_ _ spreadeth ... hands — (Lamentations 1:17).

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on Jeremiah 4:19-31.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Jeremiah 4:31

In travail — When the scripture would express any exquisite sorrow, it doth it by a woman in travail. First child — Which is usually the most painful. Spreadeth her hands — According to the use of persons in great anguish, clapping or wringing their hands together.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

Jeremiah 4:31

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], (y) Woe [is] me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.

(y) As the prophets were moved to pity the destruction of their people, so they declared it to the people to move them to repentance, (Isaiah 22:4; Jeremiah 9:1).

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
I have heard:

Jeremiah 6:24 We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, [and] pain, as of a woman in travail.
Jeremiah 13:21 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?
Jeremiah 22:23 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!
Jeremiah 30:6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
Jeremiah 48:41 Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
Jeremiah 49:22 Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
Jeremiah 49:24 Damascus is waxed feeble, [and] turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on [her]: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
Jeremiah 50:43 The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail.
Isaiah 13:8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces [shall be as] flames.
Isaiah 21:3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing [of it]; I was dismayed at the seeing [of it].
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.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

the voice:

Jeremiah 6:2 I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate [woman].
Jeremiah 6:23 They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they [are] cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
Matthew 21:5 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:

Isaiah 1:15 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.
Lamentations 1:17 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:

Jeremiah 10:19 Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this [is] a grief, and I must bear it.
Jeremiah 15:18 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?
Jeremiah 45:2 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto thee, O Baruch;
Psalms 120:5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, [that] I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Micah 7:1 Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: [there is] no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit.
1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

for my:

Genesis 27:46 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?
Job 10:1 My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

because:

Jeremiah 14:18 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.
Jeremiah 18:21 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.
Lamentations 1:20 Behold, O LORD; for I [am] in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home [there is] as death.
Lamentations 2:21 The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; thou hast slain [them] in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, [and] not pitied.
Ezekiel 9:5-6 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: ... Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which [were] before the house.
Ezekiel 23:46-47 For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and spoiled. ... And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Gn 27:46. Jb 10:1. Ps 120:5. Is 1:15; 6:5; 13:8; 21:3. Jr 6:2, 23, 24; 10:19; 13:21; 14:18; 15:18; 18:21; 22:23; 30:6; 45:2; 48:41; 49:22, 24; 50:43. Lm 1:17, 20; 2:21. Ezk 9:5; 23:46. Ho 13:13. Mi 7:1. Mt 21:5. 1Co 9:16. 1Th 5:3.

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