Jeremiah 30:6

⁴ These are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah.

⁵ Yes, this is what the LORD says: “A cry of panic is heard— a cry of terror, not of peace.

Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale?

⁷ How awful that day will be! None will be like it! It is the time of Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved out of it.

⁸ On that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will break the yoke off their necks and tear off their bonds, and no longer will strangers enslave them.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale?
KJV: 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?
WEB: Ask now, and see whether a man travails with child. Why do I see every man with his hands on his waist, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned pale?
ASV: 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?
DARBY: Ask ye now, and see, whether a male 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?
BLB: Ask now, and see, can a male give birth? Why have I seen every man [with] his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, and all faces have turned pale?

ÅB: Spør og se etter om en mann føder! Hvorfor ser jeg hver mann med hendene på sine lender, lik en fødende kvinne, og hvorfor er alle åsyn forandret og blitt bleke?
OTB: Spør nå, og se: Kan en mann føde barn? Hvorfor ser jeg da hver mann med hendene på magen som en kvinne i fødsel, og hvorfor har alle ansikter blitt bleke?
B1930: Spør og se efter om en mann føder! Hvorfor ser jeg hver mann med hendene på sine lender, lik en fødende kvinne, og hvorfor er alle åsyn forandret og blitt bleke?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Joel 2:6
Nations writhe in horror before them; every face turns pale.
Read in context
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!”
Read in context
Nahum 2:10
She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale!
Read in context
Isaiah 21:3
Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see.
Read in context
1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Read in context
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.
Read in context
Psalms 48:6
Trembling seized them there, anguish like a woman in labor.
Read in context
Jeremiah 6:24
We have heard the report; our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor.
Read in context